Vessel will hold a study session later this month with. West Hartford’s Design Review Advisory Committee to review plans for a development on Highland Street.
Former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation at 29 Highland Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
A company known for creating sustainable and attainable housing is looking to develop the former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation property at 29 Highland Street into either one or two multifamily residential buildings with anywhere from 112 to 140 units.
Vessel Technologies has submitted a presentation to West Hartford’s Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC), which will conduct an informal review during a special meeting on Aug. 29.
While it does not specify how many of the units would be affordable, Vessel’s presentation states that their application would be submitted pursuant to Connecticut General Statute 8-30g, which requires that 30% of the units must be affordable – and at least 15% of those must be affordable for those with an income of 60% or less than the area median income (AMI).
“Vessel’s mission is to offer each person an equal opportunity for an extraordinary life by providing access to homes that are exciting, sustainable, and attainably priced,” Josh Levy, executive vice president of Vessel Technologies, said in a statement shared with We-Ha.com. “We look forward to informally meeting with West Hartford’s Design Review Advisory Committee to get their input and advice. Once we receive their preliminary feedback, we will work on a formal application which we anticipate submitting to the town later this fall. In the meantime, we have begun reaching out to neighbors and stakeholders to introduce ourselves and answer questions.”
Vessel, based in New York, is known for constructing their properties quickly and with minimal disruption, using pre-fabricated parts, and notes that the development will be estimated to take six months. The properties utilize solar power, and all units are produced with non-combustible materials and are fully sprinklered. Other sustainability measures are designed to reduce environmental impact and keep costs down for residents.
According to documents filed with the town on Friday, Vessel has been considering multiple concept plans for the 2.33-acre property that include two different versions of a single, five-story, 55-foot-high building with 140 units (132 one-bedroom) and 156 parking spaces. Two other concepts call for two, four-story buildings, each 45 feet in height, with anywhere from 112 (106 one-bedroom) to 120 units (114 one-bedroom).
Example of one of the Vessel building designs provided in a presentation to West Hartford’s Design Review Advisory Committee. Town of West Hartford website
While the current zone for 29 Highland Street is R-10, which is a single-family zone, Vessel notes in its presentation to DRAC that the property abuts the RM-1 (residential multifamily) zone, where a building of 40 feet would be permitted. The proposal is in keeping with West Hartford’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), Vessel’s presentation states, as it would “increase the range of housing options for people of all income and ages, providing a high quality, healthy, safe, sustainable home for people and moderate-income levels and promotes fair housing through the creation of housing opportunities.”
West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski told We-Ha.com on Friday that next week will be Vessel’s first study session with DRAC for the 29 Highland Street property.
“It will be helpful for DRAC to review. We want them to work through this process,” Gorski said.
She said the town is excited. “We are familiar with their innovative concept and effort to provide more attainable housing in Connecticut,” Gorski said.
Former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation at 29 Highland Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Hughes Health & Rehabilitation operated a nursing home at 29 Highland Street for more than 50 years, but filed an application to close the facility in March 2023, citing “declining census as well as staffing needs and excessive cost increases.” The request to close was granted by the state’s Department of Social Services in May 2023, and the nursing home residents were relocated and the property has been vacant for more than a year.
Former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation at 29 Highland Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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