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Villa Chapel Design Charrette
Client: Sisters of Saint Joseph
Location: West 9th and Plum streets, Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building — 1924; Chapel Charrette — 2011
National Register of Historic Places: Listed as Villa Maria Academy
The Villa Chapel was constructed in 1924 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph for use by the adjacent convent and academy for young women. After Villa Maria Academy and the motherhouse were relocated to Millcreek, the historic convent and school structures were renovated into affordable housing apartments for seniors and families.
In 2011, a charrette was held to find viable reuse options for the Villa Chapel. Local businesses, artists, architects, preservationists, neighborhood residents, representatives of the local government, and The Erie Community Foundation came together to discuss the issue. Jeff Kidder was lead coordinator for the charrette.
The resulting report included three use options for consideration: daycare/mixed-use, restaurant and multifamily residential. The first option would include a catering hall for private dinners, events and receptions, as well as rental space for screenings, recitals, productions, art exhibitions and conferences. As a restaurant, the space would include booths, tables, communal eating spaces, bar and a private meeting space. The multifamily residential plan would include 12 one-bedroom loft apartments in the nave, five one-bedroom accessible apartments in the basement, and one one-bedroom apartment in the former priest apartment.