Loft apartments project to be ready for spring opening in Hopewell

HOPEWELL -- After nearly two years of setbacks, the conversion of the historic James E. Mallonee school into 51 residential loft units is on track for a spring opening.

The luxury apartments at the building, which once housed Hopewell High School, will be available for rent starting in April, said developer Mickey Garcia, owner of Suffolk-based Garcia Development LLC.

"We are introducing a new product, something that Hopewell has not seen," Garcia said of the $8 million project, a major development for the city and one that aims to attract military families moving to Fort Lee and to retain Hopewell residents.

The Hopewell Lofts will be pet-friendly and feature high ceilings and windows, on-site storage, on-site parking, laundry hook-ups in each unit and refinished hardwood and terrazzo floors.

The school identity is being preserved. Some of the old classroom chalkboards are kept in would-be living rooms, and the school auditorium is being renovated for community use.

"This is still Hopewell High School. It still feels like a school," said Lewis E. Stevenson, a partner in the project, president of Abateco Services Inc. and a former Mallonee student. "We don't want the building to lose its identity."

The school building at 1201 City Point Road has been vacant since 1990.

In January 2008, the City Council approved a redevelopment plan for the 3.7-acre property. In May, the council approved a rezoning change for the property to start its conversion to apartment units.

The project had been held up for months while the developer sought to use historic tax credits. The building also sustained heavy damage during a fire in April 2008. And the financing process became an issue over the past year with the economic downturn, Garcia said.

Last week, construction was ahead of schedule. The plan includes 31 one-bedroom, 17 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units. The units will be rented at market price, which was estimated to be $800 to $1,300 a month.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .