When Thrive Senior Living’s Montvale community faced a staggering 36 vacant studio apartments, internal efforts to stage the space fell flat. Although they made efforts to create their own, the model apartment didn’t connect with prospective residents. What they needed wasn’t just a nicer unit but a strategic, sales-driven solution.
Fortunately, they partnered with the Model55 team, who transformed the model into a powerful leasing tool. This not only boosted occupancy – it set the stage for scalable success across Thrive’s portfolio.
The Challenge
Despite staging a model apartment internally, it failed to inspire move-ins, and Thrive at Montvale’s vacant studio apartment units remained empty. The layout posed design constraints, and sales teams were left explaining the space to prospective customers rather than closing leases.
“We tried everything – even staging a model on our own – but it didn’t make a difference,” said Allison Page, VP of Sales. “We needed a partner who truly understood how to design for conversion.”
The Model55 Solution
The team reimagined the space with a turnkey design solution tailored to the senior living audience. Every detail – from layout flow to styling and accessorizing – was chosen to help prospects envision themselves living at Thrive at Montvale.
One interior design element that helped move the needle was a complete closet transformation. The designers turned a cold, empty storage space into an attractive lifestyle feature that customers could connect with – complete with jewelry, storage bins, and thoughtful details.
Model55 handled every moving part for the senior living community: floor plan analysis, furniture sourcing, white-glove installation, and design staging. The end result was not just a model apartment, but a strategic sales tool that eliminated guesswork and accelerated the path to occupancy.
“Once the Model55 design went in, it completely changed the tour experience,” explained Page. “Prospects could finally see themselves in the space – and they signed.”
Why It Worked
- By solving the layout changes the community was struggling with, Model55’s team helped turn uncertainty into assurance for both sales associates and potential residents.
- With turnkey interior design and installation, Thrive at Montvale’s internal associates weren’t burdened with the time, stress, or coordination that staging often requires.
- Creating a model apartment that delivered results allowed Thrive to establish and maintain brand consistency across their portfolio of communities.
- Increased conversions after touring the model apartment resulted in 35 new move-ins and increased revenue.
- The scalable model created by Model55 enabled Thrive to implement the design in communities across the nation.
What began as a pain point for Thrive at Montvale became a blueprint for success. With Model55’s strategic design and seamless execution, they didn’t just see an increase in move-ins – they gained a repeatable, brand-aligned model apartment. Our team’s turnkey solutions remove the heavy lifting for senior living operators and let them focus on what matters most: serving residents and growing their communities.
