Heron's Key, a Type A life plan community in Gig Harbor, is moving ahead with a roughly $110 million Phase II expansion that will add about 54 independent living homes, a four story apartment building, several cottage duplexes and a slate of new resident amenities. The campus is already full, and a lengthy waiting list means most of the Phase II homes are spoken for well before construction begins. Project leaders say work is slated to start in mid 2026, with the new residences expected to open in 2028.
What the plan includes
The Phase II buildout is set to add roughly 111,000 square feet to the existing 18 acre campus. Plans call for a new four story building with about 48 apartments, three duplex cottages, an expanded dining room, larger fitness and art studios, a grab and go dining venue and a lap size pool with a hot tub. Underground resident parking and other amenity upgrades are also in the mix, and the construction schedule is planned in phases to limit disruption for current residents. Those specifics, including the 111,000 square foot footprint and the approximately $110 million price tag, are detailed in reporting by Gig Harbor Now.
Costs, deposits and monthly fees
For Phase II, Heron's Key is leaning on mostly refundable entrance fee contracts instead of traditional non refundable plans. Sample pricing in the expansion brochure lists one bedroom homes starting around $591,200 under a 75 percent refundable option, with higher tier 90 percent refundable packages beginning near $765,300. Estimated monthly service fees for the expansion range from roughly $4,686 to $9,957 depending on unit type, and optional costs such as under building parking and second person fees are also outlined. To lock in a specific apartment or cottage, prospective residents are asked to place a 10 percent deposit based on the estimated 2028 entrance fee, and that deposit is refundable for 180 days, according to Heron's Key's brochure.
Campus background and approvals
Heron's Key opened in 2017 as a Type A Life Plan Community on an 18 acre site designed from the outset to include independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. The original project approvals left room for additional development, which the team behind the community says has made it easier to advance Phase II within the existing entitlement framework. Those development details and the community's earlier unit mix are outlined in a project case study by LCS Development.
Sales, schedule and permitting
Emerald Communities launched pre sales in early 2025. By local accounts, roughly 90 percent or more of the Phase II homes are already reserved, and about 80 households remain on a paid waiting list. The project is still moving through city permitting, and the community's marketing vice president has said they "expect to break ground in July." Construction will be staged so that core services, including the main dining room, stay open while work is underway, according to reporting from Gig Harbor Now.
Why this matters for Gig Harbor
Emerald Communities presents the expansion as a direct response to strong regional demand for Type A life plan options and positions Heron's Key Phase II as a key piece of the nonprofit's broader Pacific Northwest growth strategy. Local planners and operators say that adding more independent living homes, paired with expanded amenities, should boost year round activity on the campus and support additional jobs in dining, care and property services. For more details, and to request information about reserving a Phase II home, see Heron's Key's expansion page and the community brochure.
