LCS, one of many largest senior residing operators within the nation, has entered right into a strategic merger settlement with Vi, recognized for working a portfolio of luxurious life plan communities.
The mixture of the businesses will add Vi’s 10 communities, greater than 3,000 workers and 4,000 residents to the LCS portfolio, in response to a press launch issued at present.
Relying on regulatory approvals, the merger is predicted to shut in mid-2026, with each firms persevering with to function independently till that time, in response to the discharge.
LCS CEO Chris Fowl stated Vi’s “scale, status and dedication to high quality completely complement LCS’s legacy of management and repair,” which is able to place LCS because the “premier proprietor and operator within the senior residing trade.”
“Extra importantly, each organizations share a deep-rooted dedication to integrity, hospitality, and resident-centered care. These shared values will proceed to information us as we create much more distinctive communities for residents to proudly name residence,” Fowl stated within the launch.
Each Des Moines, Iowa-based LCS and Chicago-based Vi report sturdy occupancy efficiency, with their impartial residing segments presently sitting over 95%.
The merger will deliver collectively two storied organizations throughout the senior residing sector. Vi’s historical past traces again to 1987, when Penny Pritzker – a member of the household who began the Hyatt resort chain who later would function U.S. Secretary of Commerce – based Basic Residence by Hyatt. The idea was to include Hyatt-inspired hospitality in senior residing. The corporate would finally be rebranded as Vi.
The historical past of LCS dates again to 1971, when the corporate formally launched after founder Fred Weitz had began creating senior residing communities and noticed the rising demand. LCS grew to incorporate 5 companies below the dad or mum firm: LCS, Life Care Providers, LCS Growth, LCS Actual Property and Care Buying Providers. As of simply final week, all 5 merged below the LCS title.
“As ‘one LCS’ we’re positioned to guide with higher readability, ship higher worth, and form the way forward for senior residing as now we have for many years – with confidence and function,” Fowl stated on the time.
LCS is presently the third largest operator within the nation and has solely continued to develop because the launch of the 2025 Argentum 150 record, at which era the portfolio encompassed 136 communities and totaled 33,174 items. Most lately, LCS assumed administration operations of The Oaks at Bartlett in Bartlett, Illinois, resulting in a rename and shifting from an entrance charge to pure rental mannequin.
The corporate has additionally been specializing in continued developments and expansions, with residents reported shifting into its Clarendale West Finish luxurious senior residing neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee in late July following its completion. Moreover, LCS invested $90 million in increasing Cypress Glen in Greenville, North Carolina, which added 57 impartial residing residences and new facilities, together with an auditorium, expo kitchen, wine bar and transformed widespread areas.
In the meantime, upon the discharge of the Argentum 150 record, Vi was ranked because the fiftieth largest operator with its 10 communities totaling 3,650 items, the vast majority of that are impartial residing.
Earlier this yr, Vi introduced its intentions to work on increasing its communities. In Could, the operator introduced a main growth for its Vi at Highlands Ranch neighborhood, rising its care middle by 50% to raised serve assisted residing, reminiscence care and expert nursing residents to incorporate care companies for non-continuing care retirement neighborhood residents, a primary for the neighborhood. In apply, it permits non-Vi at Highlands Ranch residents to have entry to medical companies.
The corporate in 2024 additionally accomplished a $170 million redevelopment of its care middle in Naples, Florida, which 64 new impartial residing items and as of the start of 2025 had been 98% dedicated to new residents.
Following the merger, LCS will “proceed its legacy” of proudly owning and working premier life plan communities. Nevertheless, the corporate additionally plans to proceed serving not-for-profit and for-profit life plan and rental communities, in response to the discharge.
“We imagine that combining the expertise, expertise and experience of the Vi and LCS groups will place us for future development whereas offering new alternatives for our workers and the best degree of service and care to our residents,” stated Vi President Gary Smith.
Further info relating to the merger will probably be revealed at a later date, in response to the discharge.
