Convalescent hospital goes out of business Convalescent hospital goes out of business (February 09, 2005)

** What next for the property? Homes or condos?

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

A silver chain and padlock hang on the front doors of University Convalescent Hospital, hidden among the trees above Santa Cruz Avenue near Sand Hill Road. An opened bag of birdseed stands in front on a broken desk. The once-bustling lobby is cluttered with random furniture. Nobody is there.

The nursing home, where so many family and friends of local residents spent their last days, is closed, a victim of changing trends and more options in health care.

"It was no longer economically viable," said Cathy Levee, of Marquis Management Co. of Portland, which has managed the local hospital for the last 18 months. "There are just a lot of options for seniors, and that has taken its toll financially."

Recently, the 60-bed hospital, located at 2122 Santa Cruz Ave. in unincorporated San Mateo County, has been only about 60 percent occupied, Ms. Levee said. "Forty percent of the beds were empty."

Ms. Levee reported that the owners, Bay Area Investments based in Tennessee, recently sold the property, including approximately three acres, to real estate developers.

Marquis has arranged for the 25 remaining residents to transfer to other nursing homes in the area.

The last patient left January 15, reported the last employee remaining at the empty building. The unidentified employee said the building has been there for more than 45 years.

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