A modern luxury apartment complex is going up at the site of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s iconic Benedictine Monastery after more than two years of negotiations, compromises, concessions — and sometimes name-calling.
Newly released renderings show two structures to the left and right of the midtown monastery, 800 N. Country Club Road, and a third rising up from behind, designed to accommodate a total of 255 apartments. Another 34 apartments will be located within the monastery itself.
Under the direction of general contractor Sundt Construction, crews have started preparing the grounds, with construction expected to be completed within two years.
“It feels great to get started,†said Corky Poster, the architect with Poster Mirto McDonald, who has been working with developer Ross Rulney on the design.
“It has been controversial but, when it’s over, everyone will be pleased,†Poster said. “We are very proud of this project.â€
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The duo held multiple meetings with neighbors over initial height proposals and uncertain use of the monastery itself. Early on, they were at odds with city leaders, who were getting a lot of pushback from neighbors that did not want the development.
“The problem I had was it was a foregone conclusion that it was going to be a very dense project,†said Brian McCarthy, a resident of Sam Hughes Neighborhood for 44 years, who was asked to sit on the design review committee. “My input was to try to get some design elements included that would make it look less ominous in scale.â€
For example, McCarthy said, developers agreed to make the apartments look modern instead of trying to create “fake old buildings.â€
“Everyone involved was very professional, willing to listen and engaging,†he said. “Developers do what they do because their motivation is to make a lot of money, but I think they were respectful of the existing building.â€
In addition to housing, there will also be a retail component in the monastery building, such as a coffee shop or restaurant, that will be open to the public.
Poster said many young professionals and empty-nesters have been vocal about wanting to live in the area, but are unable to afford to buy a house there. Rents will be determined by market rates when the complex is finished.
“We are pleased that we’re using this site to provide quality housing for those that are not served in midtown,†he said.
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration occupied the 80-year-old monastery until they relocated to Missouri and sold it to Rulney in 2017.
Since announcing plans for an apartment development, Rulney has gone round and round with neighbors and city leaders regarding the preservation of the monastery, scope of new construction and saving as much of the orchard as possible.
A private foundation stepped in to help transplant and graft some of the trees.
Some of the avocado, peach, pomegranate, date and orange trees will be preserved at the Mission Garden site, 946 W. Mission Lane, which has orchards and vegetable gardens that represent 4,000 years of agriculture in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Rulney agreed to file for historic designation of the monastery so it will be protected from demolition, even if ownership changes in the future.
Last year, the monastery was home to Central American asylum seekers while it sat empty during the rezoning process.
What began as a plan for seven-story complexes on either side of the monastery has been lowered to structures of 3, 4 and 5 stories with a max height of 55 feet.
“There have been a lot of people who have invested a lot of time in getting this project to where it finally is,†said Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik, who bore the brunt of neighborhood angst.
“The community recognized the importance of the asset and came together with Ross and his team to craft a project that respects the heritage of the site while also recognizing the investment he and his investors are making.â€
For his part, Rulney said he is thrilled to see it finally get started.
“It has been a long process with many twists and turns but, in the end, we were able to bring the community together with overwhelming support for this project,†he said. “With the design of Poster Mirto McDonald and the experience of Sundt Construction this will be the highest quality multifamily development.â€
Photos: Inside the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Benedictine MonasteryÂ
Photos: Inside the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Benedictine Monastery
Benedictine Monastery
Ross Rulney, right, owner of the Benedictine Monastery, talks with Denice Blake during an open public tour of the monastery on November 05, 2018. Rulney opened the doors to the public and to receive ideas on how the space can be used.
Benedictine Monastery
A kitchen area that was once used by nuns who lived at the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
Two women walk through the bathroom area that was once used by the nuns during a public tour of the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
A woman walks through one of the bedrooms that was once used by the nuns during a public tour of the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
The public was invited to take a look inside the Benedictine Monastery and give feedback on how the space could be used November 05, 2018. People walk around the terrace as the sun sets.
Benedictine Monastery
During an open public tour of the Benedictine Monastery people were able to see the living quarters of the nuns on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
The assembly room inside the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
A walkin shower inside the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
One of the meeting rooms inside the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
One of the hallways on the second floor inside the Benedictine Monastery on November 05, 2018.
Benedictine Monastery
Ross Rulney, center, owner of the Benedictine Monastery, talks with Denice Blake, second from right, Corky Poster, far right, and Alison Miller, during an open public tour of the monastery on November 05, 2018. Rulney opened the doors to the public and to receive ideas on how the space can be used.
