Have you been traveling up I-93 North and passed the billboard saying “Granite Woods coming 2018” as I did?
After researching it a bit, I found out what this means.
You may not even know it, but if you look at the map below, Granite Woods is a huge undertaking by developer Jeff Larabee. One part of the project is already completed – the Family Fun Park was opened when Chuckster’s minigolf came to 53 Hackett Hill Road in Hooksett last August.
Initially concert promoter Live Nation and Larabee discussed a plan for a concert venue to be located at the site, off I-93 in the Hackett Hill Road area. Larrabee says that negotiation fell apart after differing ideas about the scope of the concert venue collided. Live Nation was interested in a huge camping festival venue, while Larrabee envisions something intimate – in the 2-3,000 seat range, mirroring Meijer Garden in Michigan.
A music venue is still on the drawing board, says Larrabee. But since acquiring property on the east side of I-93 (the former Ritchie Brothers site) there’s been some retooling of the next phases of the project. While it’s possible Granite Woods may plan a pop-up event or two this summer to test the waters, the proposed venue all still very much in the planning and development stage.
Also still very much in progress: A hotel, still projected to be completed near the end of 2018, if there are no unforeseen setbacks.
The map above is an early rendering of the plan and shows the 270 acres needed to accommodate the ambitious proposal, which includes a 110-room hotel, a 300-seat main restaurant and conference center, a 200-seat winery and tapas bar, a brew-pub, destination retailer and a family entertainment area, all surrounded by a world-class lilac and botanical garden.
It will be interesting to see how this project develops.
Real estate in Hooksett, not unlike the rest of the country, has seen a rise in home value. The 12-month change in estimated home value for Hooksett is 5.4 percent. This is right in line with the entire state, which has seen a 6.1 percent change in median home value. The median sales price for Hooksett has seen a nice rise as well. The entire state of New Hampshire has a reasonable median sales price of $240K, and Hooksett boasts a median price of $246K.
The town has seen moderate population growth between 2000 and 2015. Along with that growth has been some new home construction. The newest real estate in the town is being built in the neighborhoods up behind the former Mount St. Mary College (now Mount St. Mary Apartments). These are all single-family homes, and there is a 550-acre parcel that was once Mount St. Mary’s – and you can expect more development in this area.
About Rich Racine: I am a lifelong resident of New Hampshire and have grown up in Southern, New Hampshire. I currently reside in Manchester (for the past 13 years) with my wife, daughter and Olde English Bulldog. I studied at Plymouth State University where I received my degree in communication studies, with a focus in business administration.. I enjoy playing baseball and running with the family. My specialty is helping you to navigate through the process of buying or selling a home. Through my various connections I can also advise you on things to do in your area, and recommend contractors to help with housing projects. Feel free to contact me and see how I can help.
