Developers Work To Turn Old Catholic Convent Into Townhomes, Hotel In OKC

For the last eight years, an old Catholic grade school and convent in the heart of midtown Oklahoma City has stood in silence.

Now, the noise of construction crews echoes near the corner of NW 13th and Classen Drive.

Seventeen townhouses and condos are going up on the site of Villa Teresa.

Some of the them will be completed by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, four of the five historic buildings on the property will become a 70 room hotel complete with restaurant and bar.

The largest of the buildings was originally built in 1917.

The site will also be a wedding venue.

“We plan restore everything that we can possibly restore to give the story the honor it deserves,” said developer Jeff Irwin.

The hotel is expected to be completed by the end of the 2021.

“This whole complex deserves to remain. It means a lot to so many people,” said developer Marva Ellard.

Total investment for the construction project is about $38 million, Ellard said.

The project will be eligible for historical tax credits and likely, tax increment finance incentives through the city.