San Clemente Villas by the Sea

San Clemente Villas by the Sea
By Shelley T. Hudson

Even as San Clemente Villas steams toward its ten-year anniversary this October, owners Paul and Aileen Brazeau show no signs of slowing down. The couple built this bustling retirement community from the ground up in 2002 on property adjacent to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in hopes of bringing quality living and personalized care to South Orange County seniors. They spared no expense in creating their vision—San Clemente Villas boasts an 85˚ heated pool, fitness center, beauty salon and movie theater among its many amenities.

Paul Brazeau still wears his Boston accent, even after 55 years in SoCal, and he’s hung onto his strong work ethic as well. After World War II, Paul made his home here and used his naval training in electrical engineering to start a modest contracting business. After only a few years, he was running one of the largest electrical contracting businesses in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Paul also started dabbling in commercial real estate and found himself caught up in a building boom. Brazeau capitalized on his fortunate timing and built 38 shopping centers in a mere nine years.

Brazeau invested in a continuing care facility for seniors in La Jolla in the early 1990’s and discovered a new passion. This was his first foray into this burgeoning industry and Paul immediately recognized the growth potential. His wife Aileen jumped in with both feet as well, learning everything she could about management and operations. When Hyatt Hotels bought the La Jolla business, the Brazeaus decided to take advantage of their experience and start their own brand of senior care.

Paul and Aileen learned a valuable business lesson from their years in La Jolla. “Getting older is recession-proof,” states Paul matter-of-factly. After a $14M investment and two and a half years of construction, the Brazeaus opened their three-acre facility to little fanfare, however. Aileen admits, “This business is tough. It’s labor-intensive. We had to be fully-staffed when we opened the doors and each employee required an extensive background check.” Despite stringent regulations from the Health Department, Coastal Commission and other agencies, the couple was determined to provide an unprecedented level of services and amenities to its residents without the typical resident buy-in.

San Clemente Villas’ 134 units are operated as monthly rentals, much like regular apartments. These units, however, come with three meals per day in a restaurant-style dining room, a calendar packed with activities and an ocean view. The casual setting and ideal location for easy-access shopping and medical care bring seniors to San Clemente Villas, but the gourmet food, amenities and socialization keep them here. The facility’s medical call system and proximity to emergency care—280 feet to the door of Saddleback Memorial’s ER—give residents and their families peace of mind unmatched by more traditional retirement centers. Activities like water therapy, happy hour, tai chi, movie nights, shuttle service for errands, live music and dancing provide opportunities for fun that might not be available to seniors who stay in the family homestead. The 22-unit Alzheimer’s wing features one-on-one 24-hour care, specialized programming, an expansive, secure outdoor recreation area and separate dining room.

According to Aileen, 85% of San Clemente Villas’ residents come from within a five-mile radius and they find it easy to stay involved in the community in which they raised their families and maintained their careers. Paul and Aileen run the facility day-to-day and they wouldn’t have it any other way. “These people are our family and we like to see them smile,” says Aileen, “They come here for easy living. We’re very proud of our business.”

San Clemente Villas
660 Camino de Los Mares, San Clemente * 949.489.3400
SanClementeVillas.com