Glen Mills Senior Living is built on part of the property that once was home to iconic nightclub Pulsations, known as Pennsylvania’s answer to New York’s Studio 54. Photos of the nightclub signage; one of the 10 levels that featured 11 bars; and the robot Pulsar, who greeted dancers with the expression, “Wow, check this place out.”
GLEN MILLS, Pa. – On a typical day at Glen Mills Senior Living, residents gather for restaurant style dining or stop by the Bistro. Other seniors head to the beauty salon, fitness center or the theater in the IntegraCare-operated community.
It might be difficult to imagine, but there was a time when music blared, laser light shows illuminated and dancers filled the floor of “the greatest nightclub ever built,” which formerly was located on the site.
Glen Mills Senior Living has a unique history that sets it apart from other senior communities. Before becoming a serene and caring home for seniors, the location of this building was a landmark in the local nightlife scene. Jon Taffer of the popular reality TV show Bar Rescue had a role in the creation and operation of the booming nightclub Pulsations.
The 15,000 square foot nightclub opened in 1983 and boasted 10 floors and 11 bars. A futuristic, 4-ton spaceship awed patrons. A robot greeted those on the dance floor by saying, “Wow. Check this place out.”
The club was Delaware County’s answer to New York’s Studio 54. Crowds of 4,500 people gathered to dance and socialize during the peak of the Pulsations experience, which ended with the business’ closing in late 1994 as times and nightlife trends changed.
“It was always packed. It had 11 bars and 10 levels. It was huge,” said Renee McWilliams, 69, a concierge at IntegraCare’s Exton Senior Living, which is a 30-minute drive from her hometown of Glen Mills. “People would come from all over. I remember being in line. You’d be around the whole building trying to get in.
“They had a robot. It was called Pulsar,” McWilliams said. “It was a big, huge robot. You could stand on him and he’d take you around the dance floor.”
Back in the day, Pulsations made a lasting impression on a few current Glen Mills Senior Living residents.
“I loved to dance and I heard about this futuristic nightclub,” said resident Anna Marie Flanagan. “I visited Pulsations several times and went a few times with my co-workers. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.”
Glen Mills resident Richard DeRosa said he “saw a couple of spectacular shows at Pulsations,” and another resident, Barbara Partridge, recalled “hearing about this amazing new nightclub, Pulsations.” Mary Lou Leonard said she appreciated free drinks and other discounts Pulsations offered during its heyday and she loved the bands and dancing there.
During an interview posted on YouTube, Taffer, a successful entrepreneur and TV personality, reflected on Pulsations. Jon Taffer YouTube interview
“I was given the responsibility to build the greatest nightclub in the world,” Taffer said in the interview. “We spent $16 million building a spaceship 27 feet in diameter that ‘flew’ into this nightclub and deposited a $400,000 robot on the dance floor.
“That robot came out of the spaceship,” he said. “The room held about 5,000 people on all these different levels, and the robot would come out and go, ‘Wow, check this place out.’ People would go nuts. That was the robot they leased in the movie Rocky IV.”
After closing, Pulsations eventually was demolished. Glen Mills Senior Living was built on a portion of what once was a larger 15-acre property that Pulsations occupied. Now, this location serves as a place where new memories are made, and the community thrives in a different way.
Glen Mills Senior Living offers a nurturing environment for residents and their family members. There isn’t dancing amid laser light shows, but Glen Mills has maintained the legacy of this site as seniors experience a meaningful and vibrant lifestyle.
“The giant robot has given way to big-hearted caregivers,” said Larry Rouvelas, Chief Executive Officer of IntegraCare. “The 10 levels were taken down to two: personal care and memory care.”
“The IntegraCare model, LifeStories, makes us different,” said Miranda Coulter, IntegraCare Director of Operations (Western Region). “Our activities and life skills stations focus on and revolve around the residents who live in the space.”
Executive Operations Officer Deven Boland said the Glen Mills Senior Living has emerged as a good neighbor that fills a need in the region.
“Our residents are family, along with their loved ones,” Boland said. “The events and special get-togethers are truly remarkable and bring such a positive vibe here at Glen Mills. We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of our residents and making their golden years the best to come.”
Glen Mills Senior Living holds many special activities for the residents, such as “red carpet events,” a weekly surf and turf dinner, Irish dancing and stress management and relaxation events, as well as holiday-themed activities.
“Our team members, no matter what position they hold, keep the residents active and engaged,” Coulter said. Glen Mills plans to give a figurative nod to its ties to Pulsations nightclub.
“A Pulsations throwback night is in the works,” Coulter said. “We will invite people to come into our community. We will honor Pulsations by having a DJ to give residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the nightclub vibe in our building.”
For more information, contact Deven Boland, Executive Operations Officer, at dboland@integracare.com or call 610.358.4900.