Developer Reduces Apartment Count, Expands Commercial Space in East Hartford

A major revision to a real estate project in East Hartford, Connecticut, has emerged as the developer, Nam Hue 251, scales back plans for residential units while increasing commercial space. Initially approved in March 2023 for a three-story building featuring 36 apartments alongside two commercial units, the new proposal will reduce the number of apartments by 16 and increase the first-floor commercial area.

The revised plan will now consist of two studio apartments, 12 one-bedroom units, and six two-bedroom apartments, totaling 22 residential units. The first-floor commercial space is set to expand to approximately 4,600 square feet, which is about a third larger than originally intended. This adjustment reflects the shifting dynamics in the housing and commercial real estate markets in central Connecticut.

Planning and Zoning Commission member Carlene Shaw informed the commission that the developer, after discussions with financial partners, decided to modify the project significantly. Engineer Luke Mauro, senior project manager with Solli Engineering, presented the updated proposal. He noted, “The developer determined that to move forward with this project, they’d need to reduce the scope from three stories to two stories. That’s the fundamental change.”

The construction will take place on a vacant lot located at 351 Silver Lane, opposite a Dunkin’ Donuts and just west of Roberts Street, near the Pratt & Whitney headquarters. The original plan included 26 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments, which has now been adjusted in favor of more commercial space.

This trend of shifting priorities from residential to commercial space contrasts with recent developments elsewhere in Connecticut. Many large-scale projects have seen developers request a conversion of retail space into more housing units due to a sluggish market for new brick-and-mortar retail establishments. Local communities have been navigating this trend as they seek to attract modern amenities while managing concerns about increased housing that may lead to higher school enrollments and education costs.

In Portland, another developer announced plans that pivoted from commercial to residential, citing market conditions that did not support the anticipated retail space. Similarly, in South Windsor, a developer indicated that land designated for retail development would need to focus on housing instead.

The East Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission ultimately approved the revised plans for the Silver Lane project. The changes also include a reduction in parking spaces and enhancements to green space and landscaping around the site, reflecting a more community-oriented approach to development in the area. As the real estate landscape continues to evolve, the decisions made by developers like Nam Hue 251 will significantly impact the local economy and community dynamics in East Hartford and beyond.