Looking for condos for sale at St. Francis Place located in the heart of downtown Mobile Alabama? See below…
It’s not often they’re available for sale — so why not check out other downtown homes and condos?
Want to know the history of Saint Francis condos located at 753 St. Francis St. in downtown Mobile?
Here you go…
Initially established in 1908 as the Convent of Mercy, it housed the Sisters of Mercy, who came to Mobile in 1884 to teach at St. Joseph’s Institute, founded by Jesuit priests.
The early structure consisted of five frame buildings on property bordered by St. Francis and Bayou Streets, with a chapel included.
In 1908, the new Convent of Mercy, built in the “Baroque Revival” style, was dedicated at $40,000 (equivalent to $1.3 million today).
The school was initially coeducational for lower grades, while the upper grades were for female students.
However, by 1911, it became an all-female school for the upper grades, while the male students were educated at St. Joseph’s School on North Bayou Street.
As enrollment increased, an addition with a modern school building and cafeteria was completed behind the 1908 convent in 1928.
The school operated successfully until post-World War II, when the neighborhood faced commercial intrusion.
In 1968, the school merged with Bishop Toolen High School.
Following the school’s closure, the building served various purposes, including being a showroom for Empress Chandeliers in 1973. In 1994, a local developer purchased it and transformed it into St. Francis Place Condominiums by 2002.
The development has been a remarkable success, with original architectural features preserved, such as the grand staircase leading to the penthouse level.
The project’s triumph has been an inspiration for other residential developments in Downtown Mobile in the years that followed.
St. Francis Place Condominiums offers a gated parking area, swimming pool, meeting space, and a workout room, making it highly sought after.
It doesn’t have units for sale often (not nearly as common as homes).
Overall, the building’s transformation from a convent to a luxurious condominium complex stands as a testament to its historical significance and contribution to revitalizing the downtown area.