Rocco Bertini, CDAL, has joined The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, a 275-unit luxury senior living residence at 21 Clark Street, opening in Spring 2020, as executive director. The $330 million Watermark at Brooklyn Heights is currently undergoing a renovation and conversion from a beloved historic Brooklyn hotel into the borough’s first luxury senior community.
The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights is owned by a partnership of the majority owner Kayne Anderson, which has invested $130 million into the project; the operator, co-developer, and minority owner Watermark/The Freshwater Group; and the development partner, minority owner, and construction owner’s representative Tishman Speyer.
“Watermark is a leader in the development of transformative senior living programs that improve residents’ quality of life by supporting not only their physical and intellectual health but also their emotional and spiritual well-being,” said Watermark Chairman David Freshwater. “The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights will provide seniors in the New York City market with a high quality retirement living option. We are delighted to welcome Rocco Bertini, one of the most experienced senior housing operations executives in the nation, to lead our newest property.”
Prior to joining Watermark, Bertini served as executive director and general manager of The Bristal at Jericho assisted living complex and the adjacent Encore Luxury Living senior residence in Jericho, New York. Bertini’s extensive experience in the senior living and hospitality industries also includes positions as executive director and general manager for Atria Senior Living in Louisville, Kentucky and as regional director of operations for Morrison Senior Living – The Compass Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.
