West Hartford Convent May Become Apartments

A developer has offered to buy a property from the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

A convent in West Hartford could soon be redeveloped into hundreds of apartments.

Center Development Corporation, out of New York, has presented the Sisters of Saint Joseph with an offer to purchase the 22-acre property at the intersection of Park Road and Prospect Avenue. The property includes the 185,000-square-foot convent, a chapel, and expansive grounds.  Discussions are ongoing, according to the developer.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph have owned the sprawling property since 1885.  They declined to comment while negotiations continue.

The town of West Hartford has not yet received a formal proposal, however officials have met with the developer, according the Town Manager, Ron Van Winkle.

"We are very excited about this," said Van Winkle.  "We're looking at several hundred units of multi-family apartments and I think it's primarily designed for young professionals, empty nesters."

If they decide to sell, the sisters still plan to live on the property.

The project is expected to boost area businesses, including the Vieira Salon that sits just across the street.

"I think it's great.  To be honest with you, I've been here 25 years and the Sisters of Saint Joseph is great, nice and quiet, but at the same time I never got much business from them either," said Albie Vieira, the owner of the salon.

The project would require the approval of the town council and zoning board. 

"I think there's probably demand because West Hartford is a nice place to live but it's going to make it more crowded.  This is a very busy street," said Joe Elder, who lives in the neighborhood where the convent is located.

The property is currently tax-exempt and is assessed at nearly $15 million.

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