Unionville-based real estate investment firm Parker Benjamin is proposing to convert the former Nathan Hale School in Manchester into 41 apartment units.
The proposal for the brick building at 160 Spruce St. includes 15 studios, 21 one-bedroom units and five two-bedroom units. The apartments would surround an existing courtyard in the building, which spans three floors
Parker Benjamin, under the name PB Projects 12 LLC, has applied for a special exception to convert the school into multifamily housing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for its next meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 3.
The area is zoned for residential development, and the surrounding neighborhood consists of a mix of commercial businesses and single-family homes.
“The adaptive reuse of this historic school building offers an exciting opportunity to revitalize a longstanding community asset while addressing the demand for quality housing in Manchester,” the application states. “The proposed project will retain the architectural integrity of the existing structure while integrating modern residential amenities.”
The Nathan Hale School was built in 1922 and has been vacant since 2012.
The developer says the project will preserve the building’s historical character and its exterior facade. The building is structurally sound, the application states.
The original school hallways, gymnasium and auditorium will be transformed into amenities and “attractive residential corridors,” according to the application.
The apartment units will have modern kitchens, bathrooms and energy officiant systems.
PB Projects 12 LLC has an agreement to purchase the 3.8-acre property from the town, contingent upon receiving zoning approval.
Parker Benjamin is pursuing a similar project to convert East Hartford’s Church Corners Inn into a modern 24-unit apartment building. The company has received state grant money for that project.
