January 25, 2023 – The following is a news release from The Hacienda at Georgetown
The Hacienda at Georgetown, a luxury senior living community by Watermark Retirement Communities has welcomed two highly acclaimed culinary professionals to their already star-studded food and beverage team: Director of Dining Services, Mark Ferrante and Executive Chef, David Hill. In their new roles Ferrante and Hill will oversee the food service operations for The Hacienda at Georgetown’s five upscale dinning venues. The two will partner with James Beard award-winning and celebrated chef, Stephan Pyles to launch Alma in early 2023, a public-facing restaurant at the community inspired by local Texas Hill Country cuisine.
“The addition of both Mark and David further elevates the level of culinary talent at The Hacienda at Georgetown, as we prepare to launch what will be one of the most cutting-edge culinary programs found in a luxury senior living setting,” stated Annika DiNovi, Executive Director at The Hacienda at Georgetown. “Their expertise will ensure our members enjoy a world-class dining experience, curated by Chef Stephan Pyles who is often referred to as one of the founding fathers of Southwestern Cuisine.”
Mark Ferrante, the community’s new director of dining services, is an alum of The Art Institute of Houston where he followed his passion of the culinary arts. Ferrante has worked alongside celebrated Houstonian chefs at Café Annie, Mark’s American Cuisine, and more. As a result of his skill and work ethic throughout his 25+ year career, Mark has won numerous gold and silver medals in international and national American Culinary Federation sanctioned culinary competitions. Prior to joining the Hacienda team, Ferrante was corporate culinary director for Transforming Age where he played a key role in the initial planning and opening of a new 21 floor tower in downtown Seattle.
Hacienda’s new executive chef David Hill brings over 30 years of restaurant and culinary management to the community. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Hill held an apprenticeship under French master chef Jean Banchet of Le Francais. Leading the farm to fork dining movement for chefs and restauranteurs, Hill opened his very own restaurant in the Sacramento, Calif. region, which featured sustainably farmed, regional American foods and most recently was executive chef with Compass Group/Morrison living
“I have a deep respect for the classical foundations of cooking and enjoy putting a fanciful twist to each dish,” said David Hill, executive chef of The Hacienda at Georgetown. “Food should be fun. By using the best local ingredients and blending in classical European techniques our food at Hacienda will bring joy to residents’ everyday dining experiences.”
The Hacienda at Georgetown is located approximately 30 miles north of Austin and will open to members in early 2023. The property will offer expansive and comfortable studios, one- and two- bedroom residences for independent living, assisted living and memory care and will feature open floor plans, locally inspired and sourced design, beautiful outdoor living spaces, and private balconies. The community also features an outdoor live music entertainment space, private dog park, resort-style pool, large terrace with fire pits, salon spa, fitness center and more.
October 1, 2022 – The Hacienda at Georgetown has named it’s new executive director!
“[Annika] DiNoki joins Watermark Communities with nearly 15 years of experience in the luxury senior living housing and healthcare industries, most recently serving as regional director of operations at Transforming Age in Washington state,” the company said. “In this new role, DiNovi brings her rich expertise to the Georgetown community to ensure residents’ well-being and a higher level of hospitality. ”
DiNoki will oversee the senior community’s opening which is slated to open with 231 spacious and modern studios, one and two bedroom residences for residents in a variety life stages including independent living, assisted living and memory care, as well as five upscale dining options.
“My goal as the executive director at The Hacienda at Georgetown is to foster an environment where our residents love to live, but just as importantly, where associates love to work,” said Annika DiNovi. “My passion to provide the most complete care for seniors and create extraordinary communities comes from the time I spent with my grandfather, who lived independently in a retirement community until the age of 101.”
DiNoki holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling Psychology, the company said. A native of Seattle, WA, DiNoki is excited to explore Georgetown, TX and enjoys spending time with her husband and their golden retriever named Apollo.
For more information on DiNovi’s role and the Texas community, visit www.haciendageorgetown.watermarkcommunities.com.
7/27/2021 – The Hacienda at Georgetown is coming along!
Hello Georgetown spoke with the company and has learned they’ve officially hired on a celebrity chef who will bring his cuisine to the senior living community and the public restaurant set to be opened there.
Chef Stephan Pyles is often referred to as, “the founding father of Southwestern Cuisine,” and will be working with the four dining spots at The Hacienda. According to Senior Living News, the public restaurant and bar at the The Hacienda will be the region’s first fine-dining venue located in a senior community.
“As a founding father of Southwestern Cuisine I look forward to creating a menu that is specific to Georgetown and the Texas Hill Country,” Pyles told Hello Georgetown. “I hope to develop relationships with local farmers and ranchers to make the dining experience at Hacienda truly unique to Georgetown.”
Pyles is a fifth generation Texas and has opened 23 restaurants in six cities over the course of three decades. He is the recipient of numerous awards including being named Chef of the Year by seven publications.
The Hacienda at Georgetown is expected to open in late 2022, the company told Hello Georgetown, and leasing has already started.
You can also view a live time lapse of the construction progress here.
For more information, visit their website or their Facebook page.
11/10/2020 – Construction has begun on a new resort-style senior living community in Georgetown.
“MedCore Partners and TNRG announce the start of construction on The Hacienda at Georgetown, a 230-unit senior living community on the northwest corner of Williams Drive and Del Webb Blvd, in Georgetown, Texas.” according to a press release by MedCore.“The community sits on a 13.15-acre tract situated at the south entrance to Sun City Texas, an extensive master planned active adult community. The resort-style senior living campus will offer 125 Independent Living residences, 81 Assisted Living apartments and 24 Memory Care units.”
According to MedCore, the two-phase project will include several amenities:
- Multiple dining venues
- Resort pool with cabanas
- Outdoor restaurant
- Entertainment pavilion
- Fitness center
- Theatre
- Pub
- Bistro
- Walking paths
- Recreation
The company says the primary restaurant, bar, and the salon and spa will be open to the public.
You can view a video of what the resort will look like in the link below:
New Senior Living Community Coming to Georgetown, TX
“This project has been several years in the making, and we are pleased to begin construction on what we feel will be the premier senior living destination in the Hill Country,” said Michael Graham, Partner at MedCore. “Under Watermark’s management, The Hacienda at Georgetown is committed to offering a lifestyle in a senior living destination that directly matches what its residents have come to expect.”
The Hacienda at Georgetown is expected to open in 2022. You can learn more about the resort by visiting this website.
Comments