History

Learn more about the premier continuing care retirement community in
Baltimore, MD: Blakehurst Senior Living Community.

Around 1860, James Boyce, a very wealthy coal dealer, built a large Victorian Gothic stone mansion in West Towson designed by architect Henry Brauns, which sat at the site of Blakehurst. They called the estate "Chestnut Summit." At Mr. Boyce’s death in 1892, his son William Boyce sold off a 67 acre portion to the Deford family. In 1922, the Deford family sold the Boyce mansion estate to Mission Helpers of Sacred Heart. The estate remained a missionary community of Roman Catholic Sisters through the rest of the 20th century. However, in 1988 a 44 acre portion of the estate was sold to The Chestnut Real Estate Partnership for the building of Blakehurst Senior Living Community. Mission Helpers and Blakehurst remain neighbors to this day.

Since opening its doors in Towson, Maryland in 1993, Blakehurst featured spacious apartment homes. In just a few short years, an auditorium, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, Chestnut Green Health Center (named in honor of the property’s original name), an expanded arts studio, and a casual dining option were added. While living at Blakehurst most certainly has its advantages internally, the prime location in historic Towson has other advantages as well. Blakehurst is conveniently close to many schools, houses of worship, doctors’ offices, hospitals, great entertainment and fabulous shopping.