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April 2, 2019

Manchester PZC pushes knitting mill conversion forward

HBJ Photo | Joe Cooper The historic Glastonbury Knitting Co. on East Middle Turnpike in Manchester closed in the 1920s.
By Joe Cooper

Manchester’s Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday granted two key approvals for developers working to convert the former Glastonbury Knitting Co. building into senior housing.

The zoning commission unanimously approved a preliminary design plan and a wetlands permit for local developer Peter Bonzani and his two partners to convert the 32,410-square-foot site at 501 East Middle Turnpike into a 24-unit senior housing complex.

The developers, who acquired the vacant parcel for $152,000 in Jan. 2018, will seek detailed site plan approval at the commission’s next meeting on April 17, Bonzani said Tuesday.

Renovations to the former mill, which closed in the 1920s and has changed hands several times since, would begin shortly after all town approvals are awarded, he said.

Plans show the three-floor building including a mix of 18 one-bedroom apartments and six, two-bedroom units.

Three sections of the historic facility would be razed and replaced by seven garage bays for occupants. An additional 31 parking spaces are also proposed.

The building is expected to include a variety of amenity space, including an outdoor patio, exposure to nearby Bigelow Brook, and activities and fitness rooms.

Bonzani, who is also redeveloping the Manchester Armory into office space and Hilliard Mills into banquet space, said the East Middle Turnpike site is ideally located for prospective residents near several restaurants, the Manchester Senior Citizens Center and the historic Woodbridge Farmstead museum.

His research also indicates there is a lack of senior housing in the area, which he suggested is why he’s already been fielding interest for the living spaces.

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