Wesley Residence

Pros

• The facility has a wonderful atmosphere and a welcoming, historic setting.
• The staff are caring and genuinely attentive to residents.
• The Wesley Center is a really nice place with amazing people.
• The staff are super nice and treat residents with respect.
• The center is conveniently located in a safe, central area near parks, shops, and the bus line.

Cons

• The facility is dirty, unorganized, and short-staffed, with only one shower per week.
• There are no activities; residents mainly sleep, watch TV, and smoke if they are smokers.
• It is a horrible place to live and is described as a very poor facility; it is advised that no family member reside there.
• The food is consistently poor, with examples like cold pancakes and raw sausage, and there is very little variety.
• Staff care little about the residents, contributing to the overall poor conditions.
• There are accusations that staff pretended to be pregnant and made clothes for babies that were never conceived.
• There are claims that two resident deaths occurred due to careless staff, including a man hit by a car and a woman with dementia who wandered off and died; attempts to contact the owner were ignored and the facility needs investigation.

Review

The place sits in a historic building that once served as Webb Hospital, a medical center originally dedicated to U.S. Steel workers. Reviewers describe its West Duluth location as central and convenient - a safe area near a park, close to shops, and accessible by bus, yet tucked away off Grand Avenue to avoid the noisy bustle. The setting is repeatedly noted as appealing, and some visitors were genuinely impressed by the atmosphere and the sense of history embedded in the facility.

There are clear contrasts in the experiences people had here. A number of reviewers were struck by warmth from the staff and a genuine sense that the caretakers care about the residents. Phrases like "really nice place," "staff really do care," and "wonderful staff, that treat the residents with respect" recur, painting a picture of compassionate, personable employees who connect with residents on a human level. Some comments go further, describing the staff as "super nice" and the overall team as "outstanding" and "amazing." For these observers, the people who work there are the bright spot in what otherwise might be a challenging setting.

Yet, those positive notes sit alongside a steady stream of severe criticisms. Several reviewers counterbalance the praise with blunt declarations that the facility is dirty, unorganized, and understaffed. One person calls it a "dirty rotten place for anyone to live" and insists that all the other reviews about neglect are absolutely correct. Others echo this sentiment more succinctly, emphasizing a harsh reality of poor conditions and disappointment with the overall operation. The tension between a pleasant atmosphere and a poorly functioning program is a recurrent theme in the feedback.

Cleanliness and daily routines are highlighted as major concerns. A particularly damning description notes that the place is dirty, unorganized, and short-staffed, with "1 shower a week," little to no activities, and residents left with little to do beyond sleeping, watching TV, or smoking if they are smokers. This stark portrait contrasts sharply with the affectionate portrayals of the staff and raises questions about basic quality-of-life factors that should be expected in a residential care setting.

Food quality and variety emerge as another sore point. Several reviews report meals that fail to meet expectations, with complaints like "the food really sucked," mentioning cold pancakes and undercooked sausage, and noting a lack of variety or consistent quality. Alongside these critiques, some reviewers describe a repetitive, unappealing menu and question whether residents' dietary needs and preferences are being adequately addressed.

Management and accountability are touched on in multiple entries, sometimes without regard for nuance. One reviewer describes attempting to engage with the owner and feeling dismissed, while others say staff show indifference toward residents and a lack of genuine concern. A striking, unusual claim about staff preoccupations - such as making clothes for babies that were never conceived - adds to a sense among some readers that there may be issues with behavior and priorities within the facility, though such anecdotes are isolated within a broader set of concerns.

Safety concerns and serious incidents are a dominant thread in the negative feedback. A number of reviewers allege that the facility's shortcomings have had tragic consequences, citing two resident deaths attributed to "careless staff." The reports describe a man hit by a car while trying to cross Grand Avenue and a woman with dementia who wandered off and died. These claims imply serious lapses in supervision and safety protocols and cast a long shadow over any positive impressions of the building or its staff.

Taken together, the collection of opinions presents a divided picture. On one hand, the historical charm, central location, and some staff interactions are praised, and there are residents who feel genuinely cared for and safe. On the other hand, numerous critics raise urgent red flags about cleanliness, staffing levels, routine activities, food quality, management responsiveness, and the possibility of dangerous incidents. A consistent refrain emerges: the facility has real potential and a compassionate workforce, but significant deficiencies in operations and safety demand careful scrutiny and accountability. For families considering this place, the message is to weigh the warmth of individual staff members against the broader concerns about care quality, daily life quality, and safety within the building.

This part of Duluth, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With numerous restaurants located within close proximity, such as McDonald's, Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, and Duluth Grill, seniors can enjoy a range of dining options. Additionally, there are several medical facilities nearby, including Denfeld Medical Clinic and Essentia Health St Mary's-Superior Clinic, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts scenic parks like Norton Park and Lincoln Park for leisurely walks or picnics. For transportation needs, the BNSF Railway provides convenient access to travel options. Furthermore, there are cafes like Empire Coffee and Blue Rock Coffee and Wine Cafe where seniors can socialize with friends over a cup of coffee. Places of worship such as House Of Refuge Assembly Of God and St Andrews by-the-Lake Episcopal Church offer spiritual support within the community. Overall, this part of Duluth provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.1 miles)
• Taco John's (0.6 miles)
• North Pole Bar (0.6 miles)
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (1.2 miles)
• Clyde Iron Works (2.1 miles)
• Duluth's Best Bread (2.3 miles)
• Duluth Grill (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Denfeld Medical Clinic (0.5 miles)
• St Eligius Health Center (1.7 miles)
• Avada Audiology & Hearing Care (3.3 miles)
• Vision Pro Optical (3.7 miles)
• Rolando R Rosas MD (4.2 miles)
• Lake Superior Community Health Center (4.3 miles)
• Essentia Health St Mary's-Superior Clinic (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Denfeld Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Va Superior Clinic (4.2 miles)
• Saint Marys Hospital Heliport (5 miles)
• Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center (5 miles)
• Essentia Health Urgent Care - Duluth (5 miles)
• Tilderquist Memorial Med Libr (5.1 miles)
• Bio-Medical Applications of Minnesota (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Clarity Hearing Center West (2.2 miles)
• LTC Prescription Providers (2.7 miles)
• Super One Foods (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• St Mary's Duluth Clinic Health (4.2 miles)

Parks

• Norton Park (1.9 miles)
• Lincoln Park (2.5 miles)
• Proctor Historical Park (2.7 miles)
• Proctor City Ball Park (2.7 miles)
• Canal Park (4.2 miles)
• Duluth Parks & Recreation Department (4.2 miles)
• Cascade Park (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• BNSF Railway (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Empire Coffee (3.3 miles)
• Blue Rock Coffee and Wine Cafe (4.6 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (4.6 miles)
• Duluth Coffee Company (4.7 miles)
• Uncle Loui's Cafe (5.1 miles)

Theaters

• Duluth Cinema Duluth, Mn (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• House Of Refuge Assembly Of God (4.5 miles)
• St Andrews by-the-Lake Episcopal Church (4.6 miles)
• Queen of Peace Parish (4.8 miles)