Rockland Trust Funds Manchester School Redevelopment

The historic Hallsville School at 275 Jewett Street is set to become a 36-unit residential complex.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Commercial

Rockland Trust Funds Manchester School Redevelopment

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Rockland Trust has finalized a $9.4 million financing agreement to transform the 1891 Hallsville School into a mixed-income residential development. The project aims to address the ongoing housing shortage in Manchester.

Why it matters

The redevelopment preserves a historic local landmark while expanding the supply of affordable living options for residents in Southern New Hampshire. It serves as a strategic move to address regional housing scarcity through adaptive reuse.

The redevelopment effort involves converting the historic 1891 structure into 36 mixed-income apartments. Financing for the initiative is supported by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

The players

Rockland Trust

This banking institution provides financial services and investment support for regional development projects.

PROCON

This architecture, engineering, and construction firm specializes in building and renovating large-scale properties.

Novo Studio Architects

This design firm focuses on creating architectural plans for residential and commercial real estate development.

The details

The project will convert classrooms into living spaces while retaining the building’s historic clock tower and original masonry. The existing gymnasium on-site will be preserved to maintain its availability for public recreational use.

The Hallsville School was originally constructed in 1891.
Rockland Trust officially announced the financing agreement on October 23, 2026.

Culture Shift

The project reflects a growing trend of adaptive reuse, where historic urban structures are repurposed to meet modern housing needs. By utilizing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, developers are increasingly focused on preserving community heritage while alleviating the regional housing shortage.

Residents can expect the historic gymnasium at 275 Jewett Street to remain accessible for public recreational use throughout the transition. The project is expected to revitalize the immediate neighborhood by converting an older structure into active housing.

The takeaway

Adaptive reuse projects like the Hallsville School redevelopment demonstrate how municipalities can address modern housing shortages while maintaining architectural history. Property owners and developers looking to similar models should evaluate state and federal tax credits as key levers for project viability.