MyLivingChoice

The Admiral at the Lake

929 W Foster Ave

3.9(49 ratings)

The Admiral at the Lake — photo 11 / 13

Quick Facts

Affiliation
Nonprofit community with Quaker heritage and values
Transportation
Free shuttle bus service to downtown Michigan Avenue

What Families Think

Reviews for The Admiral at the Lake are sharply split: many independent living residents rave about the lakeside setting, active social calendar, and warm community culture, while several families of assisted living and memory care residents (in "The Harbors") describe serious care lapses, high staff turnover, and poor communication. The gap between the two experiences is the dominant theme across both Google and Yelp reviews.

The Good

  • Stunning lakefront views and grounds
  • Deep, active social life and daily activities
  • Continuing care allows aging in place
  • Quaker-rooted, nonprofit resident-driven culture
  • Convenient shuttle bus into downtown Chicago
  • On-site medical staff and 24-hour staffing

The Bad

  • Multiple reports of neglect and poor training in the Harbors (assisted living/memory care)
  • Several mentions of high staff turnover and inconsistent care quality
  • One report of involuntary discharge with little communication to family
  • One report of unsanitary conditions (cold food, infrequent hygiene care)

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

About The Admiral at the Lake

City Left, Nature Right

Step out your door to acres of beautiful parkland, the beach, and the lake’s shore.

Look the other way and Chicago surrounds you The stunning skyline, vibrant neighborhoods, and the cultural depth few other cities offer.

Independent Living

You're connected to the world around you, part of the city and nature. From golden sunsets on a terrace to a resident’s art show with a glass of wine, your senses are engaged.

Custom Homes

Spacious modern apartments in the heart of our amazing city. Supported by services and an expert team, so you can focus on enjoying your life. Choose from 45 different floor plans that you can customize and create the perfect home. From expansive three bedrooms to surprisingly attainable one bedroom.

Tower & Garden Residences

The Admiral is a beautiful custom residence with the amenities of a fine hotel supported by an expert team. We are an engaged community of friends and neighbors. We are non-profit and resident-driven, and constantly evolving based on the lives our residents want.

A Better Life

Independence is about freedom. The freedom to focus on your life, released from many of life’s competing priorities and hassles. Here at The Admiral at the Lake, your time can be focused on the people and things you love.

Our Sales Residency Counselors are here to help!

Your daily wants & needs included.

•    Fully equipped kitchens
•    Private patio or balcony
•    Accessible bathrooms
•    Washer and dryer
•    On-site storage
•    Interior and exterior maintenance
•    24hr emergency response system
•    Security of buildings and grounds
•    Controlled entry access
•    Cable TV
•    Housekeeping
•    Multiple zone heating
•    Air-conditioning
•    Electric and water
•    Wireless, high-speed internet

Assisted Living

A Home to Share

Beautiful garden terraces with stunning lake views and well-appointed gathering rooms are perfect for activities or casual family visits.

Private dining rooms on each floor allow neighbors to connect and get personalized care. Or they can go to the Bistro for a snack, or enjoy dining at our superb Waterfront main dining room.

Engaged Living With Assistance Always at Hand

At The Harbors, those needing a helping hand with daily activities can find the kind of fulfillment that only comes from a warm, home-like environment. Rather than caregivers, The Harbors staff members are care partners, working together with residents and families to learn what matters most to each of the individuals we serve.

As a continuing care retirement community, The Harbors eases transitions from one level of living to another. As needs change, residents have access to higher levels for comprehensive, uninterrupted service inside a familiar environment with people they know and trust. If care is needed, it's only a few steps away.

Living Options

Spacious private residences, first-class amenities, and genuine hospitality, for a resident-driven culture where participation is valued and care, are customized to meet the changing needs and preferences of every individual.

Memory Support

Feeling Safe & Connected

An engaging environment and care plans unique to each individual create a safe and positive experience for each resident.

Residents are always sharing experiences with our team, family, and friends that help keep them connected. Private dining and living rooms on each floor allow for friendship and interaction in a secure space.

Expertise & Surroundings

Science & Compassion

By taking the time to know each of our residents and their families personally, we understand how Alzheimer's Disease and other types of dementia affect each resident differently.  Our care plans make residents feel at home and ensure their safety and security.

Years of experience, advanced degrees, and specialized credentials inform innovative solutions to memory support. This passion attracts like-minded memory care professionals who thrive on combining the science of the brain with the art of compassionate care.

Memory Support is specialized care and differs from skilled nursing. People suffering from memory loss issues, dementia, or Alzheimer's get unique care and support.

Connection by Design

Our memory support neighborhood is designed to enrich residents Lives by promoting choice and evoking pleasant memories through familiar schedules and surroundings.

Throughout the day, together, we explore opportunities in engaging spaces, like our creative arts studio and outdoor garden with spectacular views of the Chicago skyline. These kinds of activities provide continued connections to the world around us.

Skilled Nursing

Treating the Whole Person

Skilled nursing is a version of Assisted Living, with extra care. Highly trained nurses and medical staff provide treatment and the assistance you need to be better and feel better.

There are many options across The Admiral that support your care and help make you feel at home. We are focused on the whole person and helping them be their best.

Excellence in Skilled Care

You are welcomed by the licensed skilled nursing staff at The Harbors. In addition to state-of-the-art care, we believe that providing a warm, homelike setting and opportunities for social interaction and familiar daily schedules are important for promoting wellness.

By creating opportunities with families, we build relationships that bridge the gap between caregiver and resident  Forging a new kind of neighborhood where a person’s interests and experiences define them, not their care needs.

Types of Care

Assisted LivingAt-Home CareHome Health and HospiceIndependent LivingMemory CareSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Multiple Floor Plans
  • Private Rooms
  • Wi-Fi / High-Speed Internet

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)
  • Professional Chef

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Fitness Center
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Medical Staff
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Pet Friendly
  • Salon / Barber
  • Transportation Services
  • Walking Paths

Activities

  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Reviews

3.9overall · 49 ratings combined

4.2★ on Google (38) · 2.9★ on Yelp (11) · Yelp page ↗

Dinah Shaw

Jun 2026

via Google

I agree with the other people about Harbor residence.<br>My sister been there for two and a half months.<br>She was given cold food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.<br>When I reported it, they served her two hot meals on different days different weeks. The staff gave her wet wipes so she can clean herself. (Face, body, private parts.)<br>They washed her hair twice since she been there.<br>For the first 2 weeks she had to sleep with all the lights on 24/7.<br>Physical therapist doing their job just fine.

Gail Ann Duberchin

Feb 2026

via Google

The views are gorgeous. Wonderful staff.

Honey David

Jan 2026

via Google

A fancy place to live but very poor service specially in the Harbor Building. Residents are being neglected. Workers need more training on proper care and to care with compassion.

K

Kate D.

Aug 2025

via Yelp

I give zero stars. A new resident in their memory care unit was essentially bullied out. Too regimented and rigid for residents with cognitive decline and no person-centered care at all. Shameful that their ONLY advisement is to prescribe meds so they are not functional since I guess it would be too much work for the staff there. No compassionate care and everything was this resident's fault it seemed. I will not divulge the rest of the sordid details, but I am aghast at the indifference and borderline neglect regarding this community's services. Especially pertaining to a specialized ward such as Memory Care. SHAME!!!!!!

Tamika Deckard

Aug 2025

via Google

This Community living facility is beautiful<br><br>I told my children when I retire I would love to move here

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does The Admiral at the Lake offer?

The Admiral at the Lake offers Assisted Living, At-Home Care, Independent Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

Is The Admiral at the Lake pet friendly?

Yes — The Admiral at the Lake lists pet-friendly accommodations among its amenities. Ask about any size or breed policies when you visit.

Where is The Admiral at the Lake located?

The Admiral at the Lake is located at 929 W Foster Ave in Chicago, Illinois.

What do families say about The Admiral at the Lake?

Reviews for The Admiral at the Lake are sharply split: many independent living residents rave about the lakeside setting, active social calendar, and warm community culture, while several families of assisted living and memory care residents (in "The Harbors") describe serious care lapses, high staff turnover, and poor communication. The gap between the two experiences is the dominant theme across both Google and Yelp reviews.

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