Discovery Senior Living Acquiring Sunshine Retirement, Adding Oversight of 33 Communities

Discovery Senior Living is acquiring Sunshine Retirement Living communities and management of the company’s 33 communities, with opportunity to now grow in the Pacific Northwest.

Under the planned acquisition agreement, the communities will remain under the existing ownership of Sabra Healthcare REIT (NASDAQ: SBRA) and other affiliated owners. Sunshine will continue to serve as the manager of the communities as part of Discovery’s national operating platform, according to a news release on Monday.

“This acquisition represents exactly the type of strategic opportunity our differentiated operating platform was designed to support, establishing an important foundation for Discovery’s continued expansion across the Pacific Northwest region,” Discovery CEO Richard Hutchinson said in the news release.

Acquisition details

Sunshine will retain its branding and management identity, and President Luis Serrano will remain on board to handle oversight of operations, growth and market presence.

In 2026, Discovery Senior Living ascended to the nation’s top spot as the largest senior living provider. Now, the company’s leaders are expanding its position at the top of the pack.

As part of the planned acquisition, Discovery Senior Living is slated to acquire Sunshine’s operating management company and bring its established regional leadership and operating expertise into Discovery’s ecosystem of management companies. The transaction establishes a new regional management company under the Discovery umbrella, bringing the total number of management companies to 10, and provide a meaningful platform for expansion in the Pacific Northwest. Sunshine, based in Bend, Oregon, launched in 2010 and oversees 2,750 units of independent living, 207 assisted living and 544 memory care units.

The transaction brings Sunshine’s regional leadership, operating expertise and established market presence together with Discovery’s national infrastructure, technology, specialized resources and institutional operating capabilities. The combination establishes a foundation for continued growth across a region where Discovery sees substantial long-term opportunity.

Market impact

For senior living owners across the country and now in the Pacific Northwest, the expansion introduces a differentiated operating alternative in a market historically characterized by smaller, independent and regional operators. Discovery’s multi-regional operating model combines the advantages of local market knowledge and leadership with the sophistication, scale and resources of a national platform, creating new opportunities to enhance operating performance, support investment strategies and drive long-term asset value.

Discovery views the Pacific Northwest as an attractive market for continued expansion and is bullish on the opportunity to establish new ownership and capital partnerships while building on Sunshine’s existing operating foundation.

In 2023, Discovery Senior Living was joined with Integral Senior Living following a recapitalization by Lee Equity Partners and Coastwood Senior Housing Partners.

In April, Discovery announced plans to overhaul its data and technology capabilities to support new growth across its then-nine regional management companies, with Sunshine serving as the 10th regional management platform.

In July, Discovery remained on as the manager of 36 communities that were changing hands as part of two transactions involving HF Acquisitions Holding, a joint venture between principals of Discovery and National Healthcare Properties (NASDAQ: NHP).

Also, earlier this year, the company announced its latest evolution and a new, four-tiered approach to operations and quality to improve the company’s overall operating model. This organized the company’s brands into four segments known as Select, Classic, Premium and Distinguished based on revenue potential, rates, budgets, staffing, complexity of care and services, design and amenities.

Austin Montgomery is a reporter for Senior Housing News as part of WTWH Media. When he isn't writing, find him at a local disc golf course or at the driving range working on his golf swing.