Massachusetts unveiled a new 234-bed Veterans Home in Holyoke on Oct. 29, with residents and staff expected to move into the building in phases.
The 350,000-square-foot facility replaces the original long-term care building, which opened in 1952. It has 212 private rooms with individual bathrooms and 11 double rooms, along with a 30-bed memory care unit.
In the state's announcement, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal recalled 76 veterans who died six years earlier at the home, then called the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. The state says a memorial garden will honor former residents, particularly those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The building uses a small-house design that groups residents into smaller communities with shared dining and gathering areas. It also includes rehabilitation facilities, a dental suite and outdoor gardens, according to the state announcement.
A second project phase will add a 40-person adult day health program for veterans living nearby. Full project completion is expected in summer 2028.