NEW BRITAIN, CT — State and local officials gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of The Ellis Block, a $85 million redevelopment project that has transformed a historic, long-vacant manufacturing complex near downtown New Britain into a vibrant, 154-unit affordable apartment community.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart joined executives from WinnCompanies, which led the project, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The adaptive reuse effort converted four buildings within the former Landers, Frary & Clark factory into modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments aimed at young professionals, middle-income households, and seniors on fixed incomes.
“Through this project, we’ve taken a blighted, unused property and transformed it into more than 100 units of new housing that will benefit the neighborhood for a whole new generation,” said Gov. Lamont.
Funded through a combination of public and private investment—including $8 million from the Connecticut Department of Housing and support from the Housing Tax Credit Contribution (HTCC) program—the project also received historic tax credits from federal and state agencies.
The Ellis Block’s six-story, 225,000-square-foot complex is now almost fully leased, with only four apartments remaining, underscoring strong demand for affordable and workforce housing in the city.
“These apartments will significantly uplift the quality of life for those who live here while also reimagining a long-underutilized landmark,” said Mayor Stewart.
The project generated over 600 jobs and contributed nearly $108 million in economic impact to the region. It also prioritized inclusive hiring: more than half the jobs were filled by women and people of color, with one in five roles going to low-income local residents.
Resident amenities include a fitness center, game room, community spaces, outdoor seating areas, and 230 parking spaces. The property is located just one mile from downtown New Britain and is easily accessible via CTfastrak mass transit.
