CINCINNATI — A piece of Cincinnati history is being transformed from a hotel to affordable senior housing.
The Manse Hotel at 1004 Chapel Street in Walnut Hills will soon be the Manse Apartments.
“Thurgood Marshall, Frank Robinson stayed here when we would play against the Reds,” Bobby Maly with The Model Group said.
The Manse Hotel was home to African-Americans who visited Cincinnati during the Segregation Era.
The property has been vacant for a year.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for the redevelopment of the property.
“We get to preserve the Manse Hotel which is a really important part of Cincinnati’s history, but we get to do it in a way, I think, that honors the past,” Maly said.
The Model Group owns the property.
The developer has plans to restore the former historic hotel and the Manse Annex at 926 Chapel Street.
Maly said there are plans to construct a new 18-unit building behind the hotel at 926 Lincoln Avenue.
“We get to bring 60 brand new, top quality housing units for Walnut Hills seniors, so people can stay in their homes and in their community of Walnut Hills,” Maly said.
The project costs $13 million.
Maly said it was made possible by a tax abatement and a $1 million loan from the City of Cincinnati, along with a historic tax credit.
The new affordable housing will offer a fitness room and indoor and outdoor community space.
Episcopal Retirement Services will serve as the property manager.
“We’ll be the ones that coordinate the services provided to the elders. We’re partners of the Model Group, who is our developer, and we’re just so excited,” Episcopal Retirement Services CEO Laura Lamb said.
Construction is expected to wrap up by the spring of 2020, with apartments ready for residents by the fall.
Seniors interested in living there can learn more about the application process by calling Episcopal Retirement Services at 513-271-9610.
Source: wlwt
