LanternCrest.wikiThe Lantern Crest Reference

History and ownership

From LanternCrest.wiki, a sourced reference on Lantern Crest Senior Living

By Simon White, editor · Published by Local Blitz · Published · Last updated

Disclosure: LanternCrest.wiki is published by Local Blitz, a marketing agency that works for Lantern Crest. It is not written or reviewed by the California Department of Social Services or any other regulator. Facts are cited to public records, press coverage and the community’s own website; verify anything important, such as care needs or prices, directly with the community and the state. See the editorial policy.

Lantern Crest was developed in Santee, California, by Michael Grant, who remains its chief executive.[1] It began with The Ridge (assisted living and memory care) and has added independent living buildings in several phases: The Pointe, The Villas, The Plaza and The Legacy.[2][3][1]

How did Lantern Crest start?

Grant, a building contractor, has said he set out to build Lantern Crest after searching for an assisted living center for his father and finding only places with what he called an institutional feel.[4] In a letter on the community’s website, he writes that he grew up in San Diego and names his parents, Daniel and Virginia, as his inspiration.[2] The development was approved by the City of Santee under Conditional Use Permit P07-12 as a congregate care facility.[3]

When was it founded?

Sources give different years:

YearWhat the source says
2010“Founded: 2010” in a 2026 San Diego Business Journal company profile[1]
2011“a locally owned retirement community founded in 2011” (2021 news release)[5]
2012State license first issued 30 May 2012;[6] “Founded: 2012” (2021) and “officially opened in 2012” (2026) in the San Diego Business Journal[4][1]
2013“Since our inception in 2013 with The Ridge” (community website)[2][7]

The differences may reflect when the company was formed, when the facility was licensed and when residents first moved in; no source reconciles them.

How has the campus grown?

  • 2012–2013: The Ridge, assisted living and memory care, licensed in 2012 and described by the community as opening in 2013.[6][2]
  • 2014: Grand opening of The Pointe, resort-style independent living apartments.[2]
  • 2017–2018: The Retirement Villas, detached homes with garages. The community’s website said they would open in summer 2017; the San Diego Business Journal later dated their opening to 2018.[2][1]
  • October 2021: Grand opening of The Plaza, with 113 independent living apartments.[5][4] The San Diego Business Journal reported the $28 million expansion finished, ground broken on a $20 million building planned for 66 assisted living apartments, and 307 apartments on the campus at the time.[4]
  • February 2023: The City of Santee approved a major revision allowing 432 units in total under the state density bonus law. The first three phases (The Villas, The Pointe and The Plaza, 227 units) were complete; 107 units were proposed for Phase 4 (The Legacy) and 98 for Phase 5.[3] The same month, CBRE arranged a $38.4 million refinancing of The Plaza.[8]
  • 2026: The Legacy, a $48 million phase with 107 residences, began pre-leasing in April. The San Diego Business Journal reported 472 residences community-wide and a total build cost of about $240 million, with one more phase planned and a new community planned in Temecula.[1]

Who owns Lantern Crest?

The community describes itself as privately owned by local owners.[2] The state license lists Santee Snr Ret I LLC as owner and LCM, LLC as manager of the licensed facility.[6] The 2023 refinancing of The Plaza named The Grant Cos. as borrower,[8] and the San Diego Business Journal has described Grant as Lantern Crest’s owner, founder and CEO.[4][1] The company had 130 employees in 2021 and 170 in 2026, according to the same publication.[4][1]

What is the Lantern Crest Foundation?

Lantern Crest Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based at 800 Lantern Crest Way, Suite 100, with an IRS ruling date of October 2014.[9] The community’s 2021 news release said the foundation provides services to local seniors who may not have the financial resources to meet their health care and daily living needs.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Madison Geering, "Lantern Crest Puts Fine Dining on Santee’s Menu" (29 May 2026). San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "About Lantern Crest Senior Living | Santee, CA". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Lantern Crest Congregate Care Facility Major Revision and Density Bonus", Notice of Determination, SCH no. 2008071057 (24 February 2023). City of Santee, via CEQAnet (State of California). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Ray Huard, "Santee Senior Living Center Adds $28 Million Project" (30 November 2021). San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "Grand Opening of The Plaza at Lantern Crest Senior Living" (news release, 14 October 2021). Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  6. ^ a b c "Lantern Crest" (facility no. 374603253), Care Facility Search. California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  7. ^ "Careers at Lantern Crest". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  8. ^ a b "CBRE Arranges $38.4M Refinancing for The Plaza at Lantern Crest in Santee, California" (28 February 2023). Seniors Housing Business. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  9. ^ "Lantern Crest Foundation Inc" (EIN 45-4898094). ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS data). Retrieved 30 September 2026.