Market Hospitality Group plans to not only turn the 976-978 Farmington Avenue building in West Hartford Center into two restaurants, but will also add a second story with five residences.

By Ronni Newton

Market Hospitality Group has unveiled plans to transform a nondescript single-story 1930s building in West Hartford Center, that was formerly occupied primarily by CVS, into a sophisticated mixed-use development that not only incorporates two of their unique culinary concepts but also adds a second story with five spacious residential units.

MHG purchased the 976-978 Farmington Avenue building for $5.25 million in September 2024, roughly a year after the CVS permanently closed its doors, initially stating that they planned to open an upscale restaurant in the space. In December 2024, co-owner Eli Hawli confirmed to We-Ha.com that from among MHG’s eight existing restaurant concepts, they had chosen Blu Pointe and Mercato to occupy the space.

Since then, Hawli said MHG has been working closely with the town to expand their plans beyond just the restaurants, adding a 10,435-square-foot second story with five “meticulously appointed” apartments, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The plans – which have been submitted to West Hartford’s Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) for review on July 17 as a site plan application – indicate the units will range in size from 1,300 to 1,750 square feet. Each will have at least one balcony (two of the units have two balconies according to the schematics), and each will have two covered parking spaces in a tandem arrangement located beneath a canopy created by the second story.

Hawli told We-Ha.com on Tuesday that “everybody in the town has been so helpful” as they pursued ways to expand and redevelop the existing property. “Town officials have been. wonderful, and the experience so far has been A-plus,” he said.

“West Hartford is a regional destination … a jewel,” Hawli said. “That’s why we wanted to be in West Hartford in the first place.”

Hawli said he believes this redevelopment will set the the tone for their vision, and for the future of the Center. “It will tie in really nicely to the new look for Farmington and LaSalle,” he said.

The presentation that will be given to DRAC states: “Our proposed redevelopment aspires to be a testament to West Hartford’s commitment to quality, community, and sophisticated urban development. The project strives to enrich the community and lives of its residents and patrons, further solidifying West Hartford’s reputation as a premier regional destination for exceptional food, retail, and an exceptionally vibrant lifestyle.” It notes that the mixed-use building will complement the town’s “dynamic urban experience” into a “sophisticated beacon with elevated culinary experiences and refined living environments.”

The residential units, the presentation states, will be designed to “echo the feel and character of the restaurants” that will be located below. “This approach offers a curated lifestyle, with interiors subtly reflecting the aesthetic and ambiance of the texture rich hospitality environments. These residences are crafted for those who appreciate refined living, providing an extension of the vibrant, sophisticated experience just steps from their door.”

The before and after comparisons of the property provide a startling contrast.

“This project is a fantastic example of thoughtful revitalization and smart growth,” Mayor Shari Cantor told We-Ha.com. “Transforming an underutilized commercial space into a vibrant mixed-use development adds vitality to our town center while preserving its character. Sam [DeVellis] and Eli [Hawli] from Mercato Group have shown great vision in combining two exciting new restaurant concepts with much-needed housing – contributing to a more walkable, connected, and dynamic community. It reflects the kind of creativity and investment we’re proud to see in West Hartford.”

West Hartford Center will be the sixth Mercato (other locations of the Italian restaurant are in Canton, Southbury, and Shelton, with Cheshire and Glastonbury in the works), and the second Blu Pointe (but first in Connecticut; the other is in Newburgh, NY). Mercato’s scratch kitchen concept features “pasta, pizzas, salads, and authentic Italian dishes crafted with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients,” the website says, and craft cocktails. Blu Pointe will feature seasonal and locally-sourced steak and fish (including sushi), complemented by a beverage program and wines similar to the Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list at the Newburgh location.

Hawli and DeVellis were also honored at the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s 2024 CRAZIES event in December 2024 as Restaurateurs of the Year.

The footprint will not be changing, and although a second story will be added, Hawli told We-Ha.com that they hope to be able to open both the restaurants and the residential spaces in the first quarter of 2026.

Because the proposed redevelopment meets the standards of the property’s existing zone in West Hartford Center, approval can be given administratively by the town planner and does not require a public hearing.

In an email, Town Planner Todd Dumais told We-Ha.com that DRAC, as permitted under the zoning ordinance, will review the application and offer advisory comments. “The ownership group brought their vision to add to the vitality of the Center to staff several months ago and has met several times with staff and continued to refine the concept based on input received. The formal application was submitted a few weeks ago and reflects that input and now awaits DRAC’s thoughtful consideration,” he said.

Dumais said staff is currently conducting a technical review that should be completed no later than the end of August. Following that, “if approval is given, the ownership group would be able to develop construction level drawings and submit for building permits,” he said.

“Overall, I would note that though this project is relatively small, (at least by recent West Hartford Center development comparison), it is an outstanding example of a thoughtful, contextually sensitive design, that embodies a gentle increase in density with adaptive, mixed-use, and infill redevelopment principles of the Town’s Plan of Conservation Development in one project.”

Along with Cantor and Dumais, Town Manager Rick Ledwith said he is also very excited about the proposal, which he noted is small in scale but not in impact and will add much-needed residential opportunities to the Center with minimal disruption. “I hope it inspires some other transformational projects in the Center,” he said.

“We are really excited to get this project going. We have been trying to get into the West Hartford market for eight, nine, or ten years now,” Hawli said. While they have a few projects in the works elsewhere, “West Hartford is a darling for us,” he added.

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