Work is under way on a new independent iving retirement center off U.S. 1 in Southern Pines.

Heavy equipment is clearing land on the service road off U.S. 1 near Pennsylvania Avenue for Southern Pines Retirement Residence, a three-story, 115,000 square-foot project that was approved by the Town Council more than a year ago.

The site is the former home of Mini Pines, an 18-hole miniature golf and family entertainment center that included a go-cart track.

The project will be owned and operated by Hawthorn Retirement Group in Vancouver, Wash. Colston & Colston General Contractors Inc., Salem, Ore., is overseeing the project.

"We're excited about this one," said Eric Mulligan, vice president of Colston & Colston. "We love the town, and we believe there is definitely a need. You have a large population of seniors, and we believe the market is underserved right now."

The new retirement facility will consist of a main building and three smaller ones. The main building will have 107,000 square feet and will house a dining -facility, a movie theater, exercise facility and 118 living units, which will be studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments.

Mulligan said what sets the facility apart is that it has a definite community feel.

"Roughly 35 percent of the main building is common area," he said. "It's not just a building full of apartments."

There will also be three duplex cottages, with two bedrooms, two baths and a full kitchen.

Mulligan said the project should be completed in 12 to 13 months.

The building will feature on-site managers and co-managers. Residents will receive three meals a day, and all bills, except for phone, will also be included in the rent.

Hawthorn Retirement Group owns and operates retirement communities throughout the United States and Canada. In North Carolina, the group recently opened Oak Park Retirement in Salisbury.

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.