Demolition Planned For Historic Senior Facility In Morris County

DENVILLE, NJ — A historic building in Morris County is set to go down. The new owners of the property which includes the former St. Francis Residential Community facility will apply for demolition permits, leaving Denville officials wishing things turned out differently.

The St. Francis Residential Community goes back to 1895, serving as a longtime senior-living community that developed a deep relationship with the township. But the religious order that founded the community announced in June 2021 that it would close.

The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother announced a month later that it transferred ownership of the property to Springpoint, which operates several senior-living centers throughout New Jersey, including The Oaks at Denville.

Township officials learned earlier this week that Springpoint would apply to demolish the property's aging structures. The new owners plan to clear the way for a 110-bed senior health facility on the property at Diamond Spring and Pocono Roads, according to the Daily Record.

Denville officials said they're "saddened" by Springpoint's decision to demolish the structures, but they don't have the authority to prevent it. By the time the township became aware of the prospective property transfer, it was too late to intervene to preserve the facility, the township says.

"As the facility is privately owned and was never listed on any State or Federal historic registers (as the previous property owner never sought or agreed to such historic designations), the Township cannot legally prevent the demolition of the St. Francis structures," said a news release from the township.

Here's the township's full statement: