History of the Village

Today the Village continues along the course set by its founders and after 30 years, we continue to rely on their guidance and wisdom.  Dr. Kroontje was a true visionary.  He painstakingly planned for the future development of the Village – 100 years into the future.  Created in the late ’70’s, the 100-year plan called for the development of five distinct neighborhoods within the Village, to be built at 20-year intervals and to reflect the needs of seniors of different times.  In addition to the five neighborhoods, the plan includes a Village Center and a Health and Wellness Campus. 

Amazingly, Dr. Kroontje’s plan has served as an accurate guide for the first 30 years of Warm Hearth’s development.  To date, Neighborhood 1 has been completed, and consists of a mix of town homes and HUD-subsidized apartments, all independent living.  The Health and Wellness Campus has also been completed and consists of assisted living, memory care and long-term nursing care.  Neighborhood 2, which Dr. Kroontje called Warm Hearth Estates, was envisioned to consist of larger, single family homes located adjacent to the scenic main entrance of the Village - exactly where Woods Edge is being developed today.

 Strategic Planning provides the opportunity for the Board of Directors and Staff to come together on a regular basis and evaluate the current trends in industry, current needs of the community and current demands of the senior population and bump this against the 100-year plan to check our course. 

We are a community driven by a strong mission and a rich history in the New River Valley.  Visit us and learn why we are Blacksburg’s retirement destination.