Lexington Partners plans about 250 apartments in the nearly vacant 19-story office building at 111 Founders Plaza in East Hartford. Chris Reilly, president of the Hartford firm, said work was expected to start in early 2027 with interior demolition, Connecticut Public reported Sept. 30.
The tower still has single-pane glass from 1974. Reilly says those windows cost too much to pass on to tenants. The frame stays. Studios and one- and two-bedroom units go in after a full renovation. The one remaining business, he said, will soon leave.
"It was built back in '74 when energy costs were a little different," Reilly said. "It's a single-pane window right now, and it's just incredibly expensive to operate."
Abigail Brone put construction at about $90 million, including $9 million from the state's Community Investment Fund. Mayor Connor Martin said affordable apartments in the building are undecided. "I say this respectfully, that East Hartford has done its part," Martin said. He also said the town would keep building affordable housing, with the focus now on quality rather than only the count.