South Boston Development News: Former Marian Manor Could Soon Become Housing

A long-vacant Southie property could soon get a new life.

According to Banker & Tradesman, local restaurateur and developer Joey Arcari has officially purchased the former Marian Manor nursing home on Old Harbor Street, with plans to convert the sprawling campus into apartments.

The $16 million sale closed earlier this month, with John Maggio of EVO Commercial brokering the deal between Acari and the Carmelite Sisters. Plans for redevelopment are expected to be submitted to the city in the coming weeks.

The 2-acre site — located at Dorchester Street and Old Harbor — includes six buildings with more than 200,000 square feet of space. The property has been the subject of speculation for years, especially after the nursing home closed in 2024 and a legal dispute delayed its sale.

Now, Arcari’s Monarc Development is looking to convert the existing buildings into approximately 150 to 180 residential units. While the project won’t include new construction, it will likely require updates like parking and zoning approvals.

Arcari, who previously founded Broadway Hospitality Group (The Playwright and The Broadway), has been expanding his footprint in Southie and beyond with a mix of residential projects.

As always, neighborhood input and city approvals will play a big role in what comes next — but this large-scale project is one to keep an eye on.

7 Comments

  1. eleanor kasper March 30, 2026 at 7:09 pm - Reply

    Make sure the cross is off of the building before a stone is turned.

  2. Millie Loftus March 30, 2026 at 7:57 pm - Reply

    Maureen isn’t there still some of they old carnet still there at Dorchester and old harbor
    .

  3. Nance. Carter March 30, 2026 at 7:58 pm - Reply

    Maureen isn’t there still some of they old still there at Dorchester and old harbor?
    .

  4. K March 31, 2026 at 7:56 am - Reply

    This neighborhood has lost a lot over the years as it changes. The closing of ‘The Manor’ is a particularly sad one. Many of us had family members there as they aged, now it’s gone and with it a place where some of us probably would have spent our final phase of our life at.

  5. Maryann Allen March 31, 2026 at 12:44 pm - Reply

    And nothing about this given to the abutters

    • Maureen Dahill March 31, 2026 at 1:01 pm - Reply

      I think it’s because it just sold and Monarc will be filing plans with the city in a few weeks. Once the city receives them, they’ll post notices for community engagement.

  6. Marjie Loux April 2, 2026 at 6:03 pm - Reply

    One of my first jobs in my own name, in the villa with the senile lot. Saw alot of death. Bet almost 50% of southie worket at the manor. ode to the good old days growing up in Southie…

Leave A Comment