Photo courtesy of LandVest

New Haven city planning officials voted to approve the first phase of a redevelopment plan last week that would see a 26.5-acre former estate get subdivided into an events center and an area that could be developed later into housing.

The estate, known as Raynham, sits in the middle of New Haven’s East Shore neighborhood. It was bought in 2021 for $1.2 million by an LLC controlled by Charles and Marcella Mascola, neighborhood residents and owners of a local ad agency, along with a third partner.

Plans submitted to New Haven officials show the estate’s main buildings, including the Victorian central mansion, will be renovated and a 75-car grass parking lot will be added to accommodate weddings, corporate events and community celebrations.

The Mascolas are expected to return to the City Plan Commission later for permission to build up to 50 homes on another part of the estate.