The Orchards Brings New Investment to the Former Southern Vermont College Campus
Originally published by VTDigger on July 16, 2026
Seven years after the closure of Southern Vermont College, its historic mountainside campus is moving toward a new chapter. Alfred Weissman Real Estate has proposed transforming the property into The Orchards, a hospitality, residential and commercial development centered around the landmark Everett Mansion.
The project received a key approval from the Bennington Development Review Board in July. Local officials have described the redevelopment as potentially catalytic for Bennington, returning a major property to productive economic use while creating new opportunities for lodging, housing, employment, visitor spending and investment.
The significance extends beyond one site. The redevelopment demonstrates the potential for Southwestern Vermont to creatively reposition major legacy properties rather than allow them to remain vacant. Combined with other investments taking place throughout Bennington, The Orchards adds another major project to a growing regional redevelopment pipeline.
