New Senior Living Facility in Brooklyn Names Exec Staff

A new 275-unit luxury senior living residence in Brooklyn, New York, has announced the appointments of new executive staff.  The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, located at 21 Clark Street, is scheduled to open during the summer of 2020. They announced the appointment of Rocco Bertini, CDAL, as executive director and Sahar Ben Edalati as associate director.

The Brooklyn Heights location is one of four in Watermark’s Élan Collection lifestyle brand of premier properties. The $330 million Watermark at Brooklyn Heights is currently undergoing a renovation and conversion from a beloved historic Brooklyn hotel into the borough’s first luxury senior community.

“This community will provide its members with outstanding opportunities to dine, learn, engage, and enjoy life while receiving the highest levels of care. I look forward to contributing to the success of this extraordinary project,” said Bertini.

Bertini will manage the day-to-day operations of the entire Watermark at Brooklyn Heights community, including financial, hiring, and managing of senior personnel, development, and implementation of all operational standards, strategic planning, training, programming, culinary services, healthcare services, and member engagement. He leads an executive, operations, and support team of more than 200 employees, according to the company.

Bertini previously served as Executive Director, and General Manager of The Bristal at Jericho assisted living complex and the adjacent Encore Luxury Living senior residence in Jericho, NY. He has extensive experience, including Executive Director and General Manager for Atria Senior Living in Louisville, Kentucky, and as Regional Director of Operations for Morrison Senior Living – The Compass Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sahar Ben Edalati was the Director of Community Life and Transportation at The Watermark at Beverly Hills. The American Health Care Association (AHCA/NCAL) nationally recognized Edalati as the 2018 Administrator of the Year. He received an MS in Gerontology and a BS in Human Development and Aging, both from the University of Southern California.

Edalati will be responsible for the financial/operational performance and regulatory compliance of The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights.

“The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights will provide an outstanding lifestyle for discerning and active retirees, who want to enjoy the cultural and social opportunities available in Brooklyn and New York City,” said Edalati.  “I look forward to delivering exceptional, customized, extraordinary experiences for our residents.”

Located in the heart of the fashionable Brooklyn Heights Historic District, the 350,000-square foot property was originally constructed in 1928 as the Leverich Towers Hotel, which served as a haven for many celebrities and cultural icons, including the Brooklyn Dodgers.

More information can be obtained from their website at www.watermarkrcommunities.com.