Big Changes In Store For Iconic Framingham Hotel, Owner Says

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A New Hampshire-based developer of assisted living communities wants to create a 120-unit elder care facility at the iconic Sheraton Framingham Hotel, which an executive at the company says would prevent a partial demolition of the castle-like building.

Monarch Communities Managing Partner Michael Glynn told Choose Framingham, the Framingham Community and Economic Development Department's newsletter, that the proposal will soon be brought to city officials for consideration.

"The hotel is outdated in size and function and is not economically sustainable as it is today," he said in the interview. "Rather than demolishing the rear of the building to 'right-size' the hotel, Monarch is proposing to repurpose the building and provide a much-needed service to community elders — providing approximately 120 units of assisted living and memory care units."

The Framingham Sheraton was sold at auction in late 2020 and purchased for $15 million by Bridgeport, Conn.,-based People's United Bank. The hotel was being run by a New Hampshire company called Colwen Management as recently as April.

Glynn told Choose Framingham the hotel is now owned by XSS Hotels, which also owns the Residence Inn in Natick and the AC Hotel in downtown Worcester. XSS Hotels and Monarch Communities share an address in Hooksett, NH.

XSS would redevelop the entire hotel, Glynn said, and the elder care facility would be located in a building at the back of the property. XSS also wants to remove the Sheraton's Tudor-style exterior stucco and timber façade.

"The front portion of the building that will remain a hotel is receiving an extensive exterior renovation as well as upgrades to its lobby, guest floors, and function facilities," he said. "The 200-guest room, 185,000 square foot Sheraton will feature 38,000 square feet of conference and pre-function space and a new function terrace. A new Sheraton Club Lounge will be added to the lobby. Exterior renovations will modernize the building, while complimenting the iconic look that has made the Framingham Sheraton a local landmark. New cementitious siding will replace the existing stucco and wood trim. "

Glynn said the redevelopment could begin before the end of the year if Monarch and XSS receive the necessary approvals from the city of Framingham.