The Merion
The Merion is a privately held, rental independent senior living community in downtown Evanston, Illinois, serving active adults aged 55 and older with all-inclusive monthly fees, dining, wellness, and senior move management services under Horizon Realty Group ownership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersEvanston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Merion does
The Merion is an independent senior living rental community located at 1611 Chicago Avenue in downtown Evanston, Illinois, housed in a 1919 Tudor-style building originally constructed as the North Shore Hotel. The property was renovated and rebranded as The Merion in 2013 and is owned and operated by Horizon Realty Group, a family-owned Chicagoland residential property company with over 30 years of operating history. The community serves active adults aged 55 and older who are able to live independently, with a primary customer segment of active seniors seeking maintenance-free urban living and a secondary segment of retiring couples downsizing from single-family homes.
The Merion's core product is an all-inclusive monthly rental offering covering residence, dining, utilities, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and access to amenities, priced from $4,350/month for studios to $8,400/month for two-bedroom units. Service modules include MerionCares (a health services and wellness coordination program), On The Move (a NASMM-certified senior move management program), a five-star dining program led by a classically trained executive chef, an indoor saltwater pool and fitness center, and lifelong learning programming through partnerships with Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Northwestern University. There is no disclosed technology platform; the offering is hospitality and care-led rather than technology-led.
The business model is direct-to-consumer, with sales driven by website inquiries, next-day on-site tours, a Floor Plan Fit Calculator, and referrals from A Place for Mom and NASMM-certified senior move managers. Revenue is concentrated in a single physical asset with no disclosed financials, no funding events, and no public ownership. Strategic differentiation rests on the historic building, walkable Evanston location, the SAGECare Platinum credential (first in Illinois for LGBT cultural competency), and the breadth of in-house services bundled into a single monthly fee.
The Merion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Merion
- Legal name
- The Merion
- Website
- https://merionevanston.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Merion is a privately held, rental independent senior living community in downtown Evanston, Illinois, serving active adults aged 55 and older with all-inclusive monthly fees, dining, wellness, and senior move management services under Horizon Realty Group ownership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Merion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Senior Living
- NAICS
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)
- SIC
- Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Market-Rate Independent Living (Private Pay) Communities (HLADAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Active Adult (55+) Independent Living Communities (HLADAAAD), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE), Independent Living Community Ancillary Services (Dining/Transportation/Wellness Programs) (HLADAAAI), Luxury/Resort-Style Independent Living Communities (HLADAAAC)
Keywords
Where The Merion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Evanston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Merion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Monthly Rental Fees: All-inclusive monthly rental fees covering apartment residence, all-day dining, utilities, cable, internet, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, activities, and access to amenities and assistance-in-living services if needed
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Studio apartments starting at $4,350/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Junior One-Bedroom at $4,800/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | One-Bedroom at $4,950/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Two-Bedroom at $8,400/month |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Merion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Merion operates a rental independent senior living community in downtown Evanston, Illinois, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments bundled with all-inclusive monthly services such as dining, housekeeping, transportation, utilities, activities, and wellness programming. Optional add-on programs include MerionCares personalized health services, On The Move senior relocation management, a five-star dining program, and a 24/7 wellness center with saltwater pool.
Product overview
The Merion is a rental independent senior living community in Evanston, IL, offering a single unified lifestyle product centered on maintenance-free independent living. The core offering is the Independent Senior Living program, which includes various apartment floor plans (Studio, One-Bedroom, Two-Bedroom) bundled with dining, housekeeping, transportation, and social activities. Optional add-on modules include MerionCares (personalized health services), On The Move (senior move management), a Five-Star Dining Program with multiple venues, Lifelong Learning Programs, and a Wellness Center with fitness and aquatic facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MerionCares: Personalized health services program providing wellness coordination, on-site health services, and assistance-in-living support for residents.
- On The Move Program
Products and services
- Independent Senior Living A rental independent senior living community offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in downtown Evanston, IL, bundled with maintenance-free services for adults aged 55+.
- MerionCares Health Services Program Personalized health services program providing wellness plans, on-site health services, care coordination, and assistance-in-living support for residents.
- On The Move Program Senior move management service certified by NASMM, providing downsizing assistance, space planning, mover coordination, and unpacking setup for new residents.
- Dining Program Five-star dining experience with multiple venues (JEM Dining Room, Bistro, Crystal Lounge, Emerald Lounge, Rooftop Terrace) featuring chef-prepared meals with flexible dining options.
- Lifelong Learning Programs Educational and cultural programming including writers' discussions, current events, computer classes, literary presentations, and OLLI access at Northwestern University.
- Wellness Center 24/7 on-site wellness facility offering fitness programs, aqua aerobics in an indoor saltwater pool, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, Zumba, meditation, and balance courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- No large upfront buy-in or entrance fee required
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Merion
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Merion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Merion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SAGE / SAGECarecoreSAGECare credentialing program for LGBT cultural competency. The Merion became Illinois' first senior living community to earn SAGECare Platinum credential. SAGE provides training programs covering needs of LGBT seniors, bias behavior response, federal protections, and best practices for creating supportive environments.
- Center on HalstedminorChicago's largest provider of LGBT services specifically aimed at seniors. Partnership formed to meet the needs of LGBT seniors in the community. The Merion and Center on Halsted collaborate to provide supportive environment for LGBT older adults.
- Horizon Realty GroupcoreFamily-owned and operated residential property company in Chicagoland for over 30 years. The Merion is part of Horizon Realty Group's portfolio. Represents pride of ownership, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
- NASMM (National Association of Specialty & Senior Move Managers)coreCertification organization for Senior Move Managers. The Merion's On The Move Program team members are NASMM certified, ensuring professional standards for downsizing and relocation services.
- Horizon Realty Group Residential SalescoreReal estate broker Logan Weiss from Horizon Realty Group provides senior move management services including downsizing, staging, and transition coordination for residents moving to The Merion.
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI)minorNational network of lifelong learning programs for mature adults. The Merion residents can participate in OLLI classes at Northwestern University and other locations for continued intellectual engagement.
- Merion Health Services AlliancecoreNetwork of trusted healthcare providers including general practitioners, geriatric specialists, psychologists, counselors, home care agencies, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and Medicare-certified home health providers. Provides priority access and discounted rates for residents through MerionCares program.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Merion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Senior Lifestyle: Senior Lifestyle is a large operator of senior living communities across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and related services. It is comparable as an established operator with overlapping senior housing offerings and multiple communities in and around Illinois.
- Atria Senior Living: Atria Senior Living operates senior communities offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. It is comparable because it targets older adults and families seeking service-rich private-pay senior living, albeit as a much larger national platform.
- Brookdale Senior Living: Brookdale Senior Living is one of the largest U.S. senior housing operators, spanning independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing-related services. It is comparable as a broad incumbent competing for seniors seeking residential living with services and amenities.
- Belmont Village Senior Living: Belmont Village Senior Living operates upscale senior living communities with assisted living, memory care, hospitality, wellness, and social programming. It is comparable through its premium-service positioning for older adults, including urban and affluent-market communities.
Direct peers
- Vi at The Glen: Vi at The Glen is a luxury senior living community in nearby Glenview with independent living and continuing care services. It is comparable because it targets affluent North Shore seniors seeking a high-service, amenity-oriented residential setting.
- Avidor Evanston: Avidor Evanston is a 55+ active adult rental apartment community serving independent seniors in the same local market. It is comparable on age-restricted rental housing and amenity positioning, although it does not provide the same dining and care-coordination bundle as The Merion.
- Three Crowns Park: Three Crowns Park is an Evanston senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. It is comparable as a local senior housing alternative for older adults seeking community living and supportive services.
- Westminster Place: Westminster Place, operated by Presbyterian Homes, is a senior living/life-plan community in Evanston with independent living and higher-acuity care options. It competes for the same local senior housing demand, though with a broader continuum-of-care model.
- The Mather: The Mather is a high-end senior living community in Evanston offering independent living and broader life-plan services. It is highly comparable because it serves the same affluent North Shore senior demographic with an amenity-rich residential model.
Regional players
- Covenant Living of Northbrook: Covenant Living of Northbrook is a North Shore continuing care retirement community offering independent living and supportive care levels. It is comparable as a regional alternative for seniors weighing maintenance-free community living near Evanston.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Merion social profiles
Digital presenceThe Merion compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Merion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Merion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Merion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Merion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Merion
What does The Merion do?
The Merion operates a rental independent senior living community in downtown Evanston, Illinois, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments bundled with all-inclusive monthly services such as dining, housekeeping, transportation, utilities, activities, and wellness programming. Optional add-on programs include MerionCares personalized health services, On The Move senior relocation management, a five-star dining program, and a 24/7 wellness center with saltwater pool.
Is The Merion a public or private company?
The Merion is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was The Merion founded?
The Merion was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Merion based?
The Merion is headquartered in Evanston, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Merion make money?
One revenue line is on record: monthly Rental Fees.
Who are The Merion's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Senior Lifestyle, Atria Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living and Belmont Village Senior Living. Direct peers are Vi at The Glen, Avidor Evanston, Three Crowns Park, Westminster Place and The Mather. Covenant Living of Northbrook is listed as a regional player.
Does The Merion have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Merion.
What industry is The Merion in?
The Merion's product category is Independent Senior Living. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADAAAA, Market-Rate Independent Living (Private Pay) Communities, with a secondary code of HLADAAAD, Active Adult (55+) Independent Living Communities. Its NAICS code is 62331 and its SIC code is 8050.