A New Vision for the Former Wells College

How Does a Community Restore a Historic Campus?

Wells College operated as a private liberal arts college in Aurora, New York from 1868 until its closure in 2024. The 127 acre campus is set on the shore of Cayuga Lake, in the Finger Lakes District of Central New York. It remains a part of the Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A group of investors has entered into a Purchase-Sale Agreement with Wells College to acquire the entire campus for $10,000,000. The sale must be approved by the State of New York and other agencies.

The limited liability company, NV4W seeks partners with ideas and capital to achieve the vision of a fully developed property.

The Master Plan (in progress) describes the various program elements and uses proposed for the campus.

PROPOSED PROGRAM ELEMENTS FOR THE MASTER PLAN

1.      Wells Senior Living and Learning

  • Continuous Care Retirement Community [CCRC]

  • Retirement activities for an over-55 demographic:

  • Independent living: 50 apartments (In the Main Building)

  • Assisted living: 30 units

  • Memory care: 20 skilled nursing beds

2.      College / University / Educational Institution

  • Satellite campus for nearby higher education institution on Cayuga Lake

  • Environmental science,

  • Coordination with senior living elements (gerontology)

3.      Aurora town components – tying the campus into the local community

  • Peachtown Elementary School [existing]

  • Community Medical Center [existing]

  • Food Cooperative

  • Museum for Wells and the Village of Aurora (Glen Park?)

4.      Market Rate Apartments

  • Utilizing buildings on campus

  • Dodge, Leeks and/or Weld

5.     World Class Hotel Resort & Event Centre

  • Starting with the Historic Main Building

  • Hotel Rooms and Suites

  • Dining Room & Commercial Kitchen

  • Adjacent to Athletic center, pool, tennis courts,

6. Other Uses

  • Summer camps

  • Conferences

  • Retreats, religious and corporate

  • Weddings, anniversaries, life events

  • Coordination with the golf course and athletics

  • Partnership with Micron or other large companies in the region

Become a Part of the Future