PROCON and Novo Studio break ground on Hallsville School Apartments

Manchester, NH A schoolhouse that first welcomed local children in 1891 is preparing to welcome a new generation of residents. State and city leaders joined the Hallsville School Apartments development team, financing partners, Novo Studio Architects and PROCON to celebrate the groundbreaking of a historic rehabilitation that will transform the former school into 36 affordable apartment homes.

Hallsville School served its neighborhood for generations. More than a century later, the landmark will take on a new purpose: providing safe, welcoming homes while preserving the architectural details that make it part of the city’s history.

“For more than a century, this building kept a promise to Manchester’s working families: a place where their kids could learn and grow. Starting today, it gets to keep a new promise: a home for Manchester’s working families,” said Preston Hunter, a member of the development and ownership team. “We’re preserving what makes Hallsville special and creating housing that will serve this neighborhood for generations to come.”

The adaptive reuse will retain remarkable historic features, including seven-foot-tall windows, 14-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, original woodwork, restored built-in cabinets and slate chalkboards in many apartments. Novo Studio Architects designed the conversion, and PROCON is serving as construction manager. Completion is anticipated in one year.

“Housing is our state’s most important economic issue, and this project shows what is possible when the state, local leaders and private partners work together to bring new life to an existing building. By preserving Hallsville School and creating 36 homes, we are investing in both Manchester’s history and its future by bringing more affordable housing to our state’s largest city,” said governor Kelly Ayotte.

“Hallsville School has been part of the fabric of this neighborhood for generations. Transforming this treasured building into affordable housing is a meaningful investment in Manchester residents, our neighborhoods and the future of our city. I am grateful to the partners who came together to make this vision a reality,” said mayor Jay Ruais.

The development is supported by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and state Affordable Housing Trust funds awarded by New Hampshire Housing, with additional gap financing through the State of New Hampshire’s InvestNH 2.0 program. Rockland Trust is both the construction lender and upper tier tax credit investor, with RBC serving as the tax credit syndicator. Evernorth provided predevelopment financing. The City of Manchester selected the development team through a competitive request for proposals and offered the property at a discounted price to support preservation and redevelopment.

“Creating affordable housing in a historic building requires creativity, patient collaboration and a financing structure that can make a challenging project feasible. Hallsville School Apartments demonstrates how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and committed local partners can preserve an important community asset while delivering 36 homes that Manchester needs,” said Rob Dapice, executive director and CEO of New Hampshire Housing.

The adjacent gymnasium, constructed in the 1990s, will remain under city ownership. Following construction, the city plans to continue offering community recreation, including pickleball and afterschool programming, providing building residents and the neighborhood with a valuable amenity.

“This is exactly the kind of challenging, meaningful project our construction team is proud to deliver,” said John Stebbins, CEO of PROCON. “Preserving a building with this much history while transforming it into modern homes takes tremendous care, craftsmanship and collaboration. We are excited to help give Hallsville School its next chapter and can’t wait to see the residents enjoying their new homes.”

Joining Hunter for the groundbreaking program were governor Ayotte, mayor Ruais, NH Housing CEO, Rob Dapice and John Quintal, senior vice president of commercial banking at Rockland Trust. The development partnership includes Preston Hunter, Kyle York, C.J. Horvath, and Penn Lindsay.