What is the best use for a former monastery that may one day be surrounded by luxury apartments?
That was the question posed to more than 200 interested residents during a recent tour of the Benedictine Monastery, 800 N. Country Club Road, that is in the process of being redeveloped.
A woman walks through one of the bedrooms that was once used by the nuns during a public tour of the Benedictine Monastery on Nov. 5, 2018.
The developer, architect and councilman for the area’s neighborhoods, invited the public to see the interior of the monastery, much of which was not before open to the public.
As people wandered through the living quarters, kitchen, meeting rooms and terrace some jotted down notes, many took pictures.
Ross Rulney originally bought the property with plans to build student housing, but after pushback from area residents he decided on market-rate apartments around the monastery and some public use for the 50,000-square-foot building.
After months of sometimes contentious debate among neighbors, concessions from Rulney have been accepted by the neighborhoods and letters of support have come in ahead of the Planning Commission vote set for Thursday, Nov. 15.
Ross Rulney, right, owner of the Benedictine Monastery, talks with Denice Blake during an open public tour on Nov. 5. Rulney opened the doors to the public to take a look inside and give feedback on how the monastery could be used.
“Not many people have seen the space,” Councilman Steve Kozachik said. “But, a lot of them have preconceived notions about what we should do with the space.”
Corky Poster, the architect for the project, said he was pleased with the turnout and feedback.
“The project is moving forward in a very collaborative and positive way ... most of the angst that we heard at the beginning of the process has now dissipated (and) we now have written support for the project from representatives of the adjoining Miramonte and Sam Hughes neighborhoods,” he said. “We intend to build a valuable and beautiful project that preserves and honors the Benedictine Monastery and that fulfills the trust that the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration had in our development team when they chose to sell the building and site to Ross Rulney.”
An interior view of the Benedictine Monastery, which developer Ross Rulney purchased from the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Following the tour, people gathered in the chapel to share ideas of what they would like to see developed at the site.
Among the ideas:
- Museum
- Boutique hotel
- Concert venue
- Spa
- Offices
- Senior living
- Convention center
- Nondenominational religion center
Rulney and Poster go before the Planning Commission Nov. 15, followed by the mayor and council in mid-December.
At least five more public hearings will be held prior to a final decision.
If amendments to the existing neighborhood plan regarding approved uses and height restrictions are approved, construction could begin in 2020.