Marycrest

The Urban Redevelopment Area is comprised of approximately 20 acres and is situated in the Chaffee Park Neighborhood.

Beginning in 1938, the Marycrest Campus was the home of the Convent for the Sisters of St. Francis. In 1953, the Sisters began construction of the Motherhouse (Convent), which was built in 2 sections: the first served as a dormitory for novices, two classrooms and the library. The second section of the Motherhouse was completed in 1958, increasing the capacity to 50 residential cells. At its peak, the Motherhouse housed about 40 Sisters and provided administrative offices which supported a province of 155 Sisters. Today, the Motherhouse is used for storage.

In the fall of 1958, Marycrest High School for Girls was opened with thirty-seven freshman students and continued at this location until 1986. Consistent with the Sister’s mission, the convent property has also been home to child and adult daycare, transitional housing for women in need, assisted living facilities, and residences and offices for the Sisters. The closing of the high school started the trend of deterioration on the campus, and the building was demolished in 1997.

With the diminishing size and increased age of the Sisters of Saint Francis Community, it became apparent that the Sisters could no longer occupy and maintain the Motherhouse and the entire campus so the decision was made to sell the property and move the remaining Sisters to a smaller residential setting. The Sisters will maintain ownership of a portion of the campus for the Assisted Living buildings and for their own new homes.

The redevelopment created a replicable model of environmentally, socially, and economically responsible community development—one that creates a diverse, tight knit community with a sense of place, with a goal of improving residents’ health and the health of our environment. The development embraces the legacy of community improvement and environmental stewardship supported by the Sisters of St. Francis. In this way, the redevelopment of the site drew from its rich past while envisioning the future of what communities can be—connected, inspiring, affordable, diverse places that use resources efficiently and creatively.

The redevelopment, when completed, will create approximately 360 new residential units, develop a 50,000 square foot parcel for commercial development, and rehabilitate the 18-unit Warren Village, a provider of transitional housing onsite.