Project Goal

The Ellis Block Apartments represent one of the most ambitious adaptive reuse preservation efforts in Connecticut, transforming the long-vacant Landers, Frary & Clark manufacturing complex into a mixed-income residential community. The primary goal of the development was to preserve a historically significant industrial landmark while addressing the need for high-quality, affordable and workforce housing in New Britain. This goal was achieved through the creation of 154 rental apartments serving households earning between 30% and 80% of area median income. Full lease-up shortly after opening, with 150 apartments leased within three months of opening, further demonstrated the project’s success in meeting strong regional housing demand.

Financing

Delivering a community of this scale required an innovative, highly coordinated financing strategy. Ellis Block leveraged a combination of federal and state Historic Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and public-private funding partnerships involving the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), the state Department of Housing, and private financing through Bank of America. A key innovation was CHFA’s pilot of a new tax-exempt bond financing structure, which reduced construction loan interest costs and enabled more efficient use of limited LIHTC resources. This model has since informed similar large-scale adaptive reuse projects across the state, establishing Ellis Block as a replicable benchmark for future housing production and preservation efforts. Despite the complexity of the financing structure, the project team successfully aligned multiple funding sources and stakeholders to deliver the development.

Additional Development Challenges

The Ellis Block redevelopment presented challenges typical of large-scale historic rehabilitation, compounded by the site’s industrial legacy. One of the most formidable obstacles was extensive environmental remediation: the site was a designated brownfields property, and during construction, the team identified previously unknown underground petroleum infrastructure and groundwater contamination, requiring significant environmental investigation and remediation to safely return the site to productive use. In addition, the scale of the historic structures far exceeded typical LIHTC-funded developments, requiring creative phasing, design adaptation and financial structuring. The development team overcame these challenges through close collaboration with public agencies, strategic design solutions, and a commitment to preserving the building’s historic integrity while adapting it for modern residential use.

Design Features

As the last intact large-scale manufacturing complex in New Britain’s historic core, the rehabilitation prioritized maintaining the architectural character and industrial authenticity of the original structures, including exposed masonry walls and wood deck ceilings throughout all units and common areas. At the same time, the project introduced contemporary residential layouts, high-quality finishes and efficient mechanical systems. The adaptive reuse strategy maximized the use of existing building materials and infrastructure, reducing waste while preserving the site’s historic identity. A defining design feature is the integration of renewable energy: the development incorporates an 850-kilowatt solar array across adjacent land and rooftops, generating energy savings that are passed on to residents.

Management’s Role in Success

The successful lease-up and stabilization of Ellis Block are the direct result of proactive, coordinated management efforts by WinnResidential. The management team played a central role in navigating the transition from construction to occupancy, ensuring a seamless experience for new residents and maintaining strong engagement with community partners. The lease-up team conducted an extensive pre-leasing effort, leading to more than 70 move-ins during the first month of occupancy.

Ongoing Management Challenges

Managing a complex, large-scale adaptive reuse property presents ongoing challenges, including maintaining historic building systems, managing operational costs, and meeting diverse resident needs. These challenges are addressed through proactive asset management, continuous maintenance planning, and strong partnerships with service organizations. The design of the property itself, including energy-efficient features and durable materials, also contributes to reduced long-term operating costs.

Resident Programs and Services

The integration of supportive housing services through CCARC Inc. exemplifies the project’s commitment to resident well-being and independence. CCARC provides supportive services to 10 units set aside for households with developmental disabilities, allowing those households to live independently in an integrated housing setting, and also hosts events for the broader Ellis Block community, including art classes that bring supported residents and other Ellis Block residents together to build community. Residents also benefit from reduced utility costs through the solar energy system, which has a unique setup in which power is sold directly to the local electric company at a market price, and the utility in turn provides a monthly credit to low-income residents based on the on-site power generation.

Community Integration

Ellis Block has become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization in New Britain. Located within walking distance of downtown and public transit, the development strengthens connectivity and supports local economic activity. It meets critical community needs by providing deeply affordable and workforce housing options in a high-demand market, and the partnership with CCARC delivers supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities, enabling residents to live independently with access to 24-hour services in an inclusive, integrated environment.

Generative AI was used to summarize the applicant’s essay.