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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N done many aff ordable housing projects. He is good at fi nding effi ciencies in space. e design for the interior makes use of the building's elements. Stained glass was taken out of every other window, since windows that can be opened in case of an emergency are required by code. Much of that stained glass has been reused in partitions that separate living areas from sleeping areas in the apartments. e top-fl oor units have lofts among the rafters, accessed by spiral staircases. One apartment has a long hall- way, large enough for a sitting area, with the blackboard from the Sunday school lining one wall. Stairs lead up to the rest of the unit. " ere are a lot of nooks and cran- nies," Wadsworth says. Wood from church pews was used to fi ll spaces and in other places wood was used. Apartment size will range between 400 and 900 square feet. Units advertised on the Notre Dame on a Facebook page are for two of the larger units, with a separate bedroom, and are 1,400 and 1,200. Hardypond also removed the white vinyl siding that has covered the church for decades, revealing detail that's now painted light blue, which pops against the soft yellow clapboards. 'They took good care of it' At the Motherhouse in Portland, the changes are to the interior. Bunker says not much has to be done with the exte- rior — the brick, and even the gold leaf dome on the roof, are in good shape. e building was not owned by the diocese, but by the Sisters of Mercy. e last nuns moved out in 2007, but the building has been maintained well, including being heated. " ey took good care of it," Bunker says. " ey maintained it very scrupu- lously over the years." Bunker originally got involved through John Wasileski, founder and owner of Sea Coast Management, which develops senior housing in southern Maine. Wasileski has ties to Catherine McAuley High School, most recently the Maine Girls' Academy, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy and is next door to the convent. Bunker, who with his partner, Matt Teare, is buying Wasileski's interest in the Motherhouse, says apartments should be ready for occupancy in September. e interior features wide halls, high ceilings and original woodwork. e chapel will be used as a commu- nity area. ough it's been deconsecrated — no longer blessed by the church — it still has pews, and Bunker says he may keep them there. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Serving Maine and New England Since 1974. 207-725-4304 P O U L I N C O N S T R U C T I O N M E . C O M C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E S R E S TA U R A N T C O M M E R C I A L / P U B L I C R E TA I L M C D O N A L D S W I N S L O W, M E It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more It's definitely more work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get work … but we get this [in return]. — Deirdre Wadsworth President, Hardypond Construction P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N At the Notre Dame conversion in Saco, no two apartments are the same.

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