HarborChase of Dr. Phillips: Our History

HarborChase Senior Living would like to commemorate the grand opening of one of our newest communities by sharing the story of a historically prominent figure in the community, Dr. Phillips.

HarborChase of Dr. Phillips is named after Dr. Philip Phillips to celebrate his contributions to the state of Florida and the local communities that he has worked to help. By making revolutionary strides to go beyond his duties, Dr. Phillips has made lasting impacts in the Central Florida area, and HarborChase is proud to recognize him for his efforts.

About Dr. Phillips

Due to his enormous presence in the community, many residents are curious to know Dr. Phillips’ story and learn how he left such a significant mark on the community he cared so much about. Through his tremendous work ethic, determination, and compassion, he was able to become a key figure in Central Florida history.

Early on in his career, Dr. Phillips met his wife, Della Wolfe, who was the southern debutante daughter of a wealthy Mississippi cotton planter. Together, their love for arts and music flourished. It is well-known that the couple frequently hosted grand gatherings at their luxurious home on Lake Lucerne to celebrate their passion for the arts.

Dr. Phillips and Della went on to have two sons, Howard and Walter. Howard eventually became a Harvard University graduate that took an interest in playing the violin. Walter did not pursue education, other than working on the family citrus groves. Many years later, Howard ran the Dr. P. Phillips companies, and Walter left the company, becoming an independent citrus consultant.

A Legacy of Business and Philanthropy

After a previous failed attempt, Dr. Phillips and his wife established a thriving citrus business, which was always one of his dreams. The couple became very successful and decided to transform their Lake Lucerne home into a hub for the performing arts, inviting famous artists and musicians to the house to perform for the community.

In 1905, the Phillips family decided to purchase an orange grove on the south side of Sand Lake that performed well until the 1960s, when the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital was built to cater to the needs of minorities in the area. During the time he owned the grove, Dr. Phillips was known to specifically tailor communities to fit the needs of his workers and deliver turkeys to their families on Thanksgiving.

Although there are no living members of the Phillips family today, the lasting impact that they have left in Florida remains the same. To date, the Dr. Phillips Charities has contributed almost $200 million to cultural, educational, health, youth, and social services efforts. In 2014, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, valued at $600 million, was built within walking distance to their Lake Lucerne home and the center represents the collaboration between business, philanthropy, and renowned artists in the community.

HarborChase of Dr. Phillips in Orlando, Florida

The core values of HarborChase of Dr. Phillips are tied closely to the legacy of Dr. Phillips. We are committed to continuing the sense of community that Dr. Phillips instilled in the area since the early 1900s. HarborChase of Dr. Phillips features the Life Enrichment program, explicitly created to provide social, devotional, fitness and recreational opportunities to seniors in the area. The community is also part of a portfolio that generates income for philanthropy, allowing the community to “help others help themselves.”

HarborChase is built on the values of respect, attentiveness, integrity, stewardship, and excellence. We strive to make a difference in the community with the application of our values, and we are committed to providing industry-leading hospitality designed to engage and inspire. We are excited to become part of the Dr. Phillips’ legacy and continue his dream to stimulate the community positively.

We invite you to visit our website to explore HarborChase of Dr. Phillips, our Orlando luxury senior living community!