A four-story building stands out in the developing area along Dallas Road near Interstate 82, with Badger and Candy mountains serving as the backdrop to the new 170-unit residential community.

The third of its kind to open in the Tri-Cities, Affinity at Badger Mountain aims to create a community for active adults 55 and older. 

The senior apartment complex at 2201 Storehouse Ave. in Richland is set to open in early September, less than a year after the Pasco Affinity location opened. 

It’s been a big investment so far: $3 million for the land, purchased in June 2024, plus $29 million for the building and hundreds of thousands of dollars for a pool and garages. 

Already, community members, as well as residents of Affinity at Southridge, are taking interest and planning to move in once it opens. 

Market growth

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Spokane, Affinity offers active adult living communities across eight different states with 16 in Washington, including the three in the Tri-Cities.

Affinity at Southridge was the first to open, launched in 2012. Since then, the Tri-Cities has become big enough to add two more. 

“The Tri-Cities market is growing like crazy. There’s so much demand for people in that area. So we definitely saw that opportunity and have been partnering with all three cities,” said Stephanie Stobie, director of marketing for the Affinity portfolio. 

The location near Dallas Road has been seeing plenty of growth and construction, from a growing residential area to a new fire station to a new 10,638-square-foot commercial building near the Country Mercantile. 

Stobie said the location boasts “beautiful mountain landscapes, easy access on and off the highway right there, lots of growth and construction happening right around the community in that little pocket right there.”

Construction work on the intersection of Dallas Road and Trowbridge Boulevard is ongoing in an effort to improve traffic capacity and safety in the area. 

South Richland location

Though Affinity at Badger Mountain won’t be open to residents until September, pre-leasing is underway, and events to get to know the community have been scheduled.

Those who decide to lease before the building opens can join the Founders Club, which includes special perks such as unlimited guest suite stays at any Affinity location for a year, annual carpet cleaning, gift cards and packages, and more. 

Some residents at Affinity at Southridge, which always has a list of those interested in moving in, already are planning to move to the Badger Mountain community. That’s a good sign for the new complex, Stobie said.

“When residents move from one community to our brand-new communities, they’re really able to help cultivate that culture and the community vibes and the lifestyle that we like to see at our other properties,” she said. 

Affinity at Badger Mountain is working to establish connections among its future residents by hosting events and meetups.

And though the Affinity at Broadmoor location in Pasco, which is for those 62 and over, has been open for a while, it will hold an official grand opening from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 14 at 6105 Road 108, giving the public a chance to check out what the community is like. 

Resort-style amenities

Affinity at Badger Mountain will be about the same size as Affinity at Broadmoor, with all of the same offerings. Both have 170 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. 

Homes at Affinity at Badger Mountain start at $1,880 a month for a studio and go up to $2,950 a month, all utilities, plus cable and Wi-Fi, included. Residents can choose between different home sizes and layouts. 

It’s a community focused on active adults: there’s no medical, meal or transportation services.

The facility offers 30,000 square feet of what it calls “resort-style” amenities, including a movie theater, a pub, an indoor pool and spa, a fitness center, a billiards room, a workshop and more. 

Residents have access to these spaces 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We want them to use the whole community as an extension of their home,” Stobie said. 

Affinity’s goal is to have seniors connect with others, make new friends and create a community.

Affinity’s locations are “designed for people who are truly looking for a lifestyle change,” Stobie said. “They maybe want to downsize, they don’t want a big home, or maybe they’re relocating to be closer to their family.”

Affinity hosts events throughout the year, and they aren’t exclusive to those leasing space – friends and those interested in the community are welcome to join.

For information about the three Affinity locations in the Tri-Cities, including floor plans and upcoming events, call 509-519-4356 or go to: affinityforliving.com/tri-cities.