The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce hosted the town’s Economic Development Update on Wednesday at a sold-out luncheon at the Pond House Café.

By Ronni Newton

In 2024, there were 6,707 active registered businesses in the Town of West Hartford, 898 new West Hartford businesses registered with the Connecticut Secretary of the State in 2024, and 147 new trade name certificates issued by the Town Clerk’s Office. The number of new residential units, when combining those completed in 2024 with construction underway and development applications under review, is close to 2,000.

Those are extremely impressive numbers, and speaking to a sold-out audience at the Pond House Café at the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s annual Economic Development Update luncheon on Wednesday, Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski, and Economic Development Specialist Lauren Siegal – who combined made more than 350 visits to businesses in town last year and celebrated more than 100 milestones including openings, relocations, and expansions of brick and mortar businesses – provided a snapshot of the town’s successes.

In order to fit the 2024 update into the framework of a luncheon Gorski and Siegal focused their comprehensive review of what was once again an unprecedented level of investment in West Hartford to highlight the industries that are showing the greatest growth, investment in housing development, unique businesses that have opened their doors, and several major transformations.

Industries with the Most Growth

Financial services and manufacturing firms are thriving in West Hartford, and Gorski and Siegal highlighted several successes stories.

During COVID, the office market, including financial services, faced extreme challenges, Siegal said. “Whereas most of the region is double-digit vacancy, West Hartford is over 94% occupancy.”

In the office market, commercial insurance company Beazley moved to West Hartford from Farmington, taking over 19,000 square feet of space on the third floor of 65 Memorial Drive in Blue Back Square. “They came a long way since 1986, from a small office in England with a borrowed computer and an old hat stand,” she said. And with the support of the town, Beazley’s move to West Hartford also included the relocation of their beehives, now at Westmoor Park.

Also in the financial service industry, and also relocating from Farmington, Lockton moved more than 100 employees into 22,000 square feet that was formerly the New York Sports Club in Blue Back Square. Lockton is the largest privately-held, family-owned independent insurance brokerage in the world, Siegal said.

Also in the financial services industry, HFM Wealth Management, Gallagher Risk Management and Consulting Services, Insperity, Ascot Group, Norcom Mortgage (now CMG Financial), and NBT Bank‘s retail branch opened in West Hartford in 2024.

“The a total of seven offices in Connecticut, we are pleased that Goff Law Group has chosen West Hartford to expand and grow,” Siegal said. The went from a small space on Brace Road, to 7,000 square feet at Corporate Center West, where they are now in the process of expanding into nearly 15,000 square feet.

“RisCassi & Davis, a nationally recognized personal injury law firm for over 70 years, relocated its main office from Hartford, purchasing this beautiful building … at 91 South Main Street this spring for just over a million dollars,” she said.

In the manufacturing sector, Gorski highlighted aerospace components manufacturer Triumph‘s major new contracts as well as their $12 million investment in a-state-of-the-art thermal solutions development center at their Flatbush Avenue facility that was celebrated with a ribbon cutting in October and which will create more than 100 new jobs.

“Har-Conn Chrome, one of the largest independently owned aerospace processing firms in the world, is currently finishing construction on a 20,000 square foot expansion at 114 Shield Street,” Gorski said. The new space will allow for greater efficiencies, she said.

Affordable Housing

“Over the last five years, the town has been focused on continuing to provide diversity of housing stock so that there are more options available to current and future residents of all income levels,” Gorski said.

To ensure increased affordable housing stock, the Town Council allocated $7 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds and with the support of the town’s legislative delegation, West Hartford also received a recent $2 million allocation from the State Bond Commission, Gorski said.

Notable projects include The Camelot at 900 Farmington Avenue, which Honeycomb Real Estate Partners is transforming the former West Hartford Inn and vacant restaurant space into 44 units of 100% affordable housing for various income levels. “Slated to open in April of this year, this is the first affordable housing project in West Hartford Center in decades, providing a necessary mix of housing options,” Gorski said.

In addition, Gorski noted that The Elle, at 1244 North Main, is an adaptive re-use – including the preservation of a beautiful stained-glass front – and an addition to the former and vacant Agudas Achim Synagogue property. It’s being developed by Trout Brook Realty Advisors, the development arm of the West Hartford Housing Authority, and will provide 49 units of housing, 39 of which will be affordable at various income levels. The groundbreaking for The Elle is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16.

The first phase of the redevelopment of Fellowship Housing, on Starkel Road in Bishops Corner, is nearing completion, Gorski said. Financing will be complete soon for the second phase, applications will be submitted for financing of the third phase, and ultimately the four phases will add roughly 90 units of affordable housing, “and will be an important step to supporting the senior population in West Hartford.”

Vessel Technologies, known for modular construction with a focus on sustainable and attainable pricing, has also submitted an application to the town to construct 112 units of mixed-income housing at the former Hughes Health & Rehabilitation Center property at 29 Highland Street. If approved, that development will include 34 affordable units. A hearing is set for Jan. 28, Gorski said.

Unique New Businesses

“With over 100 new businesses that opened or were in the process of opening in 2024, we had to limit the number to include in today’s presentation, being mindful that this is a luncheon and not a dinner,” Siegal said.

A few of the businesses that she mentioned included two cannabis retailers – Sweetspot, which opened last winter in the former Prospect Cafe location at the corner of Park Road and Prospect, and Fine Fettle, which has received approval to be the town’s third and final cannabis retailer and will be opening in the former Liberty Bank location in the Sunset Triangle area.

Other unique businesses include JunkPot Studio, which moved their ceramics studio from 635 New Park Avenue to a new and larger space in the former Angelia Novias boutique at 604 New Park Avenue. “Check out their one-time classes if you’re looking for a fun activity with friends or loved ones,” Siegal said.

Right next door, in the former Oscar’s Tux space on New Park Avenue, is The Head Spa. “Owner Jennifer Ortiz has found her niche,” Siegal said, noting that the head massage is like the best part of getting your hair done – but on steroids.

WeHa Candle Company, which relocated to 970 Farmington Avenue, is owned by West Hartford natives Phil and Jennifer Dube. “They offer local gifts, candle pouring, soaps, and home decor – a place to shop, pour, and explore,” Siegal said.

Another unique new business in town is beem Light Sauna, which offers therapeutic light therapy and other services.

For nearly a decade the town has been trying to attract experiential retail business, and even after amending the applicable ordinance came close but did not succeed – until Level99 signed their lease. Level99 will bring more than 50 physical and mental challenges, and a collaboration with Two Roads Brewing, to a large space in The Corbin Collection. “When someone shared their family members’ experience at a place called Level99 in Massachusetts, I jumped at the chance to learn more. Then in true economic developer fashion, I recommended this lead to the real estate broker who had a. prime 40,000 square foot vacant space that had struggled to find the right tenant. Fast forward a year and half, we are working with Level99 to apply for building permits at 1445 New Britain Avenue in the space above REI and Saks Off 5th,” Gorski said.

Siegal listed several unique service businesses – Veterinary Revision, a veterinary opthalmology practice that purchased 312 North Main Street for $1.1 million last spring and BLK STRY natural light photography studio at 625 New Park Avenue. For children, there’s Pip Yoga at 485 New Park Avenue and The Book Club on the second floor of 76 LaSalle Road.

In the category of “flavorful cuisine,” over the past year Siegal noted that West Hartford has welcomed street food from Chengdu at Sichuan Alley on New Park Avenue, Jamaican cuisine at Quick Bites on Park Road, Mediterranean fusion and pescatarian food at the brand new Gveenah on Farmington Avenue, and “comfort food that’s fuel for your soul” at Soul Bowls on New Britain Avenue.

The town is also gaining options for breakfast, brunch, and coffee, Siegal said. “The Friendly Toast has long been one of the most popular brunch spots in New England, she said, and they are currently renovating the former Division West space on LaSalle Road with plans to open this year. “They are committed to serving quality meals from scratch that will make you smile.”

In the Center, two coffee shops have recently opened – Yemerica, taking over the former Lewis Real Estate space at 1000 Farmington Avenue (they moved to Brace Road), and Nero Kitchen in the vacant Sweet Frog space at 13 South Main.

Commercial Investment 

“Unique to 2024 was the volume of new outparcel buildings under construction in West Hartford. As a community that is considered to be fully developed, it has been challenging to find land for new construction, especially commercial construction,” Gorski said.

Several great new projects, however, are being constructed in underutilized parking lots, including the Starbucks with a drive-through at Corporate Center West, and the 7,000 square foot building at Prospect Plaza that will be home to a Chipotle with a drive-through, Jersey Mike’s, and Teriyaki Madness, said Gorksi. O’Reilly Auto Parts opened in the fall at 983 New Britain Avenue at the corner of Shield Street, she added.

“This is a great way to continue to grow our tax base and welcome new businesses to our community,” Gorski said.

One Big Transformation

“A vision a long time in the making has finally come to fruition for our next business highlight,” said Siegal. Renowned chef Ashley Flagg, and her wife, Rebekah Flagg, have completed the transformation of the former Corner Pug space, and The Laurel is set to open this month. “They will be offering small plates, tapas, and shareables. Their menu will be globally inspired with a focus on plant-based and vegan dishes and unique wines from all over the world,” with locally-sourced ingredients, Siegal said.

Transit-Oriented Development

Gorski said Transit-Oriented Development, aka TOD – located within a quarter mile of the Elmwood and Flatbush CTfastrak stations – has been a key initiative in West Hartford. Following zoning updates made in 2023, she said, two projects are soon to begin.

Elmwood Lofts, at 1051-1061 New Britain Avenue, will be built on the site of the former Puritan Furniture store, property which the current owner purchased in 2020. They went through a multi-year effort of site planning and approvals, becoming the town’s first project to receive approval under the town’s new TOD ordinance that allows higher density. “This project is currently finalizing financing and is expected to begin construction this year,” Gorski said.

Following demolition, clean-up, and remediation, a new five-story, mixed use, mixed-income development will include 117 units of housing and 23,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. “This will be a truly transformative project,” Gorski said.

Another TOD project, The Jayden at 579 New Park Avenue, will be developed by the Hexagon Group and will include 70 units of housing and 1,500 square feet of ground floor retail. “This project is anticipated for construction to get underway later this year,” Gorski said.

Housing Investment

“Now for some more exciting housing investment projects throughout West Hartford,” Gorski said, highlighting the multitude of projects that are in progress or about to begin.

They include Center Park Place, being developed by the Arapahoe Group. “The development features a five-story condo building that is currently pre-selling. units starting at a mere $983,000,” she said. The second building that’s part of the development will be mixed-income and mixed-use, and will include 25 apartments and ground floor retail at the corner of Arapahoe and LaSalle roads. “The developer recently demolished two single-family houses on Arapahoe Road that will ultimately be part of the project, and is working on applying for a foundation permit,” Gorski said.

“In West Hartford Center, at the corner of Trout Brook Drive and Farmington Avenue, there are three significant developments in various stages of construction,” Gorski said.

The Byline, at 920 Farmington Avenue, is getting its finishing touches; The Camelot – noted in the discussion of affordable housing – should be ready for occupancy in April; and One West Hartford, at 95o Trout Brook Drive, is hitting its stride with plans for opening in early 2026. “Yes, that’s three developments on one block. That’s 264 units of housing added in West Hartford’s downtown, and an estimated investment of just under $100 million,” said Gorski, increasing housing in the town;’s core and bringing a critical mass of people to support small business.

During 2024, One Park Apartments – historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the former Sisters of St. Joseph convent plus an addition – brought 294 units (30 affordable) and an estimated $90 million investment to Park Road, Gorski said. “Park Road can really see the investment in their corridor, and the increased number of residents on the road.”

The Residences at Heritage Park, on the eastern portion of the former UConn campus, was approved by the Town Council in 2024. Now owned by Garden Homes, which purchased the property from West Hartford 1 LLC, four buildings with 322 units, 8% of which will be affordable, will be constructed. Work on the first building is expected this spring, Gorski said.

And finally, Heritage Park at 1800 Asylum is in the application process after several years of pre-planning. “This application contemplates the construction of an organic grocer, a spa facility, a mix of restaurant and retail space, along with 118 multifamily units including apartments and townhomes, as well as a 90-unit assisted living facility.” The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the project on Feb. 11.

For years, the status of the former UConn campus has been the final point of discussion at the Economic Development update. “So while this year we are a little bit further along with this development, similar to the last six years there is still more to come,” Gorski said.

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Conway welcomed attendees to the annual luncheon, and Board Chair Chris Clarke shared some remarks. Rezi Mucka, vice president and manager of presenting sponsor M&T Bank, introduced Gorski and Siegal.

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