Larger apartments for independent-living Washington retirees.

Ingleside at Rock Creek, a continuing-care retirement community in the northwest neighborhood of Washington, DC, will begin construction of 15 new luxury independent-living apartments on November 29, this year.

They will be ready for residents by the fall of 2011, if all goes to plan.

The new McCracken Apartments will be among the largest independent living residences in the Washington, DC area. They will range in size from 1,600 square feet to more than 1,800 square feet. This means residents will be able to enjoy all the advantages of retirement living without sacrificing too much space.

“Moving to a senior living community used to mean losing considerable living space with a studio-style or efficiency unit,” says Ann Schiff, executive director and health care administrator of Ingleside.

“We’re reversing that trend,” she said. “Seniors, especially those who live here in the District, want to leave the hassles of home ownership behind, not their cherished possessions.”

The increased apartment size also fits with the lifestyle of today’s seniors — who are generally living more active, healthy and independent lives than their predecessors.

“This generation of seniors isn’t ready to give up entertaining friends or hosting family dinners,” says Tracy Niro, senior move manager and owner of Niro Senior Services.

“They’re looking for living options that let them bring their dining room suite as well as the items they’ve accumulated over several decades.”

Residents of the McCracken Apartments can choose from five floor plans. In addition to spacious layouts, the luxury units will feature nine-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, wiring for high-speed Internet and balconies overlooking Rock Creek Park.

To learn more about Ingleside at Rock Creek and the McCracken Apartments, visit www.ircdc.org