BENNINGTON – Plans for a five-star resort on the former Southern Vermont College campus are advancing, and a hospitality brand partner for the project is expected to be announced soon. Thomas Dee, president and CEO of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, which owns the 371-acre former campus, said in a release Friday that the firm selected for the redevelopment effort — — “has made major progress in finding the right hospitality brand partner for this project. While we can’t speak on their behalf, we want our community to know that plans are advancing.
” He added, “We’re supportive of their direction and we believe this project will have an immensely positive impact on Bennington and our entire region.” In March 2023, SVHC entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the campus and its historic Everett Mansion with Weissman Real Estate. Since then, Dee said, the firm has been working toward the development of a destination resort.
The proposed resort, which was outlined in a presentation by Weissman Real Estate in March 2023, is expected to include both fine and casual dining venues, a beauty and health spa; a fitness/wellness center, special events venue and other amenities. The project also includes an extensive historic restoration of the Everett Mansion for use as luxury accommodations and fine dining. “Once [Weissman] finalizes its brand partner — in the near future— the necessary regulatory reviews and permitting processes will get underway,” Dee said.
“We’re hopeful this project will break ground next summer.” Access to the Bennington Area Trail System at the trail heads on and around the property will remain open to the public and available throughout the redevelopment, according to the release. Following completion of the project, there will be a new dedicated parking lot, officials said.
The campus, originally was the estate of industrialist Edward H. Everett, who constructed the mansion as a summer home during 1911-14, with stone walls and in the style of a 14th century English feudal mansion. The 27-room mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The former college, which moved to the former estate grounds during the 1970s, closed amid mounting debt in 2019. SVHC, which is now affiliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock healthcare system, purchased the former campus in 2020 for $4.65 million during an auction in bankruptcy court.
Hospital officials said their intention was to preserve the land and buildings for a redevelopment plan that would benefit the Bennington area. Weissman, based Harrison, N.Y.
, has been involved in several commercial development categories since their inception more than 50 years ago, including a number of large-scale hospitality, residential, retail, office and industrial properties..
