Sunrise History

Paul and Terry Klaassen founded Sunrise Senior Living over 25 years ago with one community in Virginia. Sunrise currently operates more than 420 senior living communities in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.

1981

Paul and Terry Klaassen open the first Sunrise community in Oakton, Virginia.

1982

Paul and Terry design the first Sunrise training programs around the now well-established Principles of Service:  preserving dignity; nurturing the spirit; celebrating individuality; enabling freedom of choice; encouraging independence; involving family and friends.

1985

Sunrise opens two more communities — Sunrise of Leesburg and Sunrise of Warrenton — both in Virginia.

1988

Sunrise opens its first signature Victorian community in Arlington, Virginia. The design has won numerous awards and continues to be a model that is improved upon for new communities.

1995

Sunrise formalizes Alzheimer's disease and dementia care services, naming it the Sunrise Reminiscence Program.

1996

Sunrise makes its Initial Public Stock Offering (IPO) on NASDAQ.

1999

Sunrise  expands internationally by launching Frognal in the United Kingdom.

2000

Sunrise expands to Canada opening Sunrise of Unionville.

Sunrise adopts managed services operating strategy.

2001

Sunrise transfers its stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange. (Ticker Symbol SRZ)

Sunrise named a "Great Place to Work" by Washingtonian Magazine.

Sunrise celebrates 20th Anniversary.

2003

Sunrise completes purchase of Marriott Senior Living Services adding more than 120 communities and a broader scope of service offerings to its portfolio. 

Sunrise Assisted Living changes name to Sunrise Senior Living in order to reflect the full line of short- and long-term elder care services.

Sunrise completes EdenCare transaction.

Sunrise again named a "Great Place to Work" by Washingtonian magazine.

2004

Sunrise introduces The View, a program for vision-impaired seniors.

2005

Sunrise acquires Greystone Communities Inc. and 19 Fountains communities.

Sunrise opens first community in Germany, Klein Flottbek.

Sunrise announces development of its first senior’s condominium project - Fox Hill in Maryland.

Sunrise again named "Great Place to Work" by Washingtonian magazine.

2006

Sunrise celebrates 25 years of service to seniors.

Under the continued leadership of its founders, Paul and Terry Klaassen, growing from a single residence to a portfolio of 440 communities in the U.S. and abroad, Sunrise Senior Living has stayed true to its roots while pioneering many innovations.

Sunrise acquires Trinity Hospice and creates the Sunrise Trinity Hospice Program

2007

Sunrise begins construction on first condominium community