Luxury homes debut on Mendham land that once hosted a sugar baron, convent and orphanage

William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
·2 min read
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While many New Jersey towns show favor to residential developers who agree to help fill their court-mandated obligations to build affordable housing, there's still a demand for new luxury dwellings in the wealthy, bucolic outreaches of Morris County.

High-end home buyers may find what they are looking for in Mendham Township, where K. Hovnanian Homes recently opened the Enclave at Hillandale, a 44-townhome development on the site of a former historic mansion, school and convent.

The property, where units start at about $1.1 million, offers "a new low-maintenance housing option on a site on St. Johns Drive that is steeped in history," Hovnanian Marketing Director Aarushi Poddar said in an email.

The Pratt II model at the Enclave at Hillandale, a new community of 44 luxury town homes on a historic property in Mendham Township, where prices start at $1.1 million,
The Pratt II model at the Enclave at Hillandale, a new community of 44 luxury town homes on a historic property in Mendham Township, where prices start at $1.1 million,

The 18-acre site previously belonged to the Sisters of Saint John the Baptist, who used the property's Mosle Mansion, built in 1907, as a convent. Two classroom additions were added, along with a dormitory and gymnasium. But the orphanage closed in 1937 and the school shut down in 1992 as the number of sisters living at the convent declined, making the sale of the property inevitable.

The existing buildings were demolished, including a chapel and carriage house, K. Hovnanian New Jersey Community Manager Justin Neden said.

"There was dramatic water infiltration, a collapsed roof and it was severely vandalized," Neden said.

The land is the remnant of a larger tract on the border of Morris and Somerset counties formerly owned by George Mosle, a businessman who made his fortune in sugar imports. In 2008, Mendham Township purchased more than 100 acres of rolling, wooded hills on the grounds to create a park, in an $8.3 million preservation effort arranged by the Trust for Public Lands and various government and nonprofit partners.

What's for sale at Hillandale

The Wheaton model at the Enclave at Hillandale, a new community of 44 luxury town homes on a historic property in Mendham Township, where prices start at $1.1 million,
The Wheaton model at the Enclave at Hillandale, a new community of 44 luxury town homes on a historic property in Mendham Township, where prices start at $1.1 million,

The luxury homes were built on the property that remained in private hands. Constructed in attached groupings of three to six units, home models begin with a two-story Pratt II model, offering 2,726 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a two-car garage for more than $1.1 million.

On the top end, the Wheaton Walkout model, starting at $1.42 million, offers 4,834 square feet of living space including a full, finished basement, and up to 4 bedrooms, 2.5+ bathrooms and two-car garages. Without the basement, the Wheaton offers up to 3,372 square feet at a price of $1.38 million.

All models feature first-floor primary suites, spa bathrooms, walk-in closets, gourmet kitchens, first-floor laundry rooms and second-floor loft space. Custom options are available.

Town home living also means a low-maintenance lifestyle as lawn care and snow removal are included.

The property was acquired in January 2020 by Hospitality Resources, Hillandale, LLC.

Occupancy for some buyers is expected to begin next month.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Mendham Township NJ luxury townhomes open at Mosle Mansion site