Benchmark Senior Living and National Development Acquire East Islip Site for 90-Unit Senior Housing Community

Benchmark Senior Living and National Development have acquired a property in East Islip, N.Y., on Long Island's South Shore, the companies announced June 30, with plans to develop a 90-unit assisted living and memory care community slated to open in 2028.

The development, to be called Benchmark at East Islip, will be located approximately 45 miles east of Manhattan, adjacent to retail shops, restaurants, and a post office. Construction on the two-story, approximately 88,000-square-foot building is scheduled to begin in July 2026.

Project Details and Programming

The community will offer 64 assisted living apartments and 26 memory care apartments, with a total of 104 licensed beds. Planned amenities include multiple dining venues, a theater, a fitness center, an on-site salon, and landscaped outdoor spaces. Interior design elements will draw inspiration from East Islip Lanes, the bowling alley that previously occupied the site, according to the announcement.

Financial terms of the acquisition, including purchase price, development budget, and loan details, were not disclosed.

A Growing Long Island Partnership

Benchmark at East Islip will be the second Long Island community developed jointly by Benchmark Senior Living and National Development. The two firms have partnered on Whisper Woods of Smithtown since 2024. Separately, Benchmark operates Benchmark at Mount Pleasant in Thornwood and Orchard Estate of Woodbury on Long Island.

"This acquisition marks another important milestone in Benchmark's strategic growth in New York and reflects the strength of our ongoing partnership with National Development," said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Senior Living. "As demand for high-quality senior living continues to grow across Long Island, Benchmark at East Islip represents an exciting opportunity to bring our personalized approach to assisted living and memory care to more seniors and families."

Benchmark operates 70 independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic, making it New England's largest senior living provider. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded in 1997.

National Development's Senior Housing Platform

National Development has developed or invested in more than 40 senior housing communities across the Northeast and manages more than $6 billion of assets through discretionary real estate investment funds. The firm's senior housing portfolio spans independent living, assisted living, and memory care properties along the Boston-to-New York corridor.

"We are excited to bring a new senior living community to East Islip and deliver a high-quality assisted living and memory care residence for Long Island seniors and their families," said Andrew Gallinaro, Chief Investment Officer of National Development. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Benchmark on a thoughtfully designed community that will offer seniors and their families an exceptional new option."

Sources: Benchmark Senior Living