Three Pillars Senior Living Communities in Dousman begins next phase in campus enhancement

DOUSMAN - Three Pillars Senior Living Communities has broken ground for another phase of its expansion, adding to a local complex that offers assisted- and independent-living housing, medical facilities and other senior services.

As part of a timeline-modified plan announced in 2020, Three Pillars will substantially enhance its housing options for older residents near U.S. Highway 18 in Dousman. Beginning this year, it will cross the road northward with a plan that includes and starts with the 110 new independent living units. That's only one aspect in several phases offering a range of care, included specialized memory care facilities, that will be built over the next several years.

Here's what's in store, plus what you should know about Three Pillars' extensive operations in Dousman.

Where is Three Pillars already located in Dousman?

Strictly speaking, the senior living community isn't all in one parcel, nor is it spread out far and wide in Dousman. It all started with a 300-acre farm given to the Wisconsin Masons specifically for senior care.

At present, there are five distinct facilities spread over three sites south of U.S. Highway 18, west of State Highway 67 and just east of Main Street in Dousman. The fourth site, north of Highway 18, is under development. Though separated by woods and open space, the sites are connected by pedestrian trails, including an underpass now under construction on Highway 18.

When did Three Pillars begin to emerge in Dousman?

According to the Three Pillars website, the complex dates back to 1905 with the donation of farmland, a mansion and other buildings from Willard Van Brunt along Highway 18. The mansion, north of Highway 18, was remodeled the following year to house its first guests. On that site, the community expanded after The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin gained full ownership of the property.

The complex expanded several times over a century, including a health care center in 1982 (renovated in 2022) off Main Street.

What type of living units are part of the Dousman senior complex?

As the complex expanded, it created living spaces of various types.

In the southwest quadrant of highways 18 and 67, the Three Pillars Compass Point (closest to the intersection) is made up of 75 catered/assisted living units. Village on the Square offers 123 independent living units. Off Main Street, Riverside Lodge has 56 assisted living units and 19 memory care units, and the Masonic Health Care Center has 36 skilled-care units and the Hickory Suites has 14 rehabilitation units.

Combined, with the 110 independent units dubbed The Fields at Three Pillars in new renderings and now under construction, the sites will offer a total 433 living units by the end of 2025.

What's happening in 2024 at Three Pillars?

Following a ceremonial groundbreaking on April 11, construction crews began in earnest on The Fields at Three Pillars, a 110-unit project focused on independent living — the type of housing intended for residents not yet in need of heightened medical assistance but who are better off in housing suited to their needs.

The construction will focus specifically on the garden and courtyard homes in the 190-acre area in the northwest quadrant of highways 18 and 67 that was reacquired by Three Pillars in 2020. The work will also include a new public road providing access off Highway 18. The road, and a park, will open by this fall.

One unique element is the construction of an underpass dipping below Highway 18. The underpass, under construction currently while an unrelated Bark River bridge state project is taking place, will in effect connect the north and south campus for pedestrians.

How else will The Fields at Three Pillars site be developed for seniors?

In addition to the 110 garden and courtyard units, the development site will eventually include an all-new memory-care facility on the western edge of the parcel.

Zack Zupke, director of marketing for Three Pillars Senior Living Community, acknowledged the expansion plan has changed since 2020, when the memory care center was envisioned for 2023. That concept was rescheduled, in part due to construction costs and rising inflation. It's now scheduled for 2026.

"However, we already hired a director of dementia programming who is doing development and implemented a number of programs, including support groups, brain health, and walk and talks," Zupke said.

Why does Dousman have a major complex of senior citizen services?

Zupke noted Three Pillars' long masonic history in Dousman that dedicated itself to senior care long before modern complexes existed. But today's word is better attuned to seniors' needs and demands, and so is Three Pillars.

"There’s been an increased demand for active adult living, which is what we’re building: a walkable, nature-filled neighborhood for current and future residents to continue to pursue their passions," he said. "We’ve got a rural, tranquil setting, but our residents are 40 minutes from Madison, 25 from Milwaukee, 15 from Waukesha and about five minutes from Oconomowoc. Dining, arts, entertainment, sporting events — it’s all just a short drive from our campus in any direction."

How strong is demand for senior living units at Three Pillars?

In general, Three Pillars has always been busy, which has supported repeated expansions and renovations. But, perhaps more surprisingly, the demand for the latest residential additions is high even before the land grading is done.

"The market is extremely excited and we’re over 70% reserved," Zupke said. "We currently have 80 residences out of 110 spoken for without anything but renderings and our reputation to help people decide."

The interest is also evident in the twice-monthly information sessions by Three Pillars, he added. Attendance at each session has been "robust," with some people signing up without a campus tour.

Is Three Pillars in any way connected to a neighboring development?

Dousman has been the focus of another major housing initiative, one that advanced greatly in 2023: Talbot's Woods, stretching east of Highway 67 and south of Highway 18. If plans hold, it will eventually feature more than 140 single-family houses, 300 apartment units, condominiums and commercial buildings.

Despite the coincidental timing and location, there's is no direct connection between the two developments.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli atjames.riccioli@jrn.com.