The Hilton hotel in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The $29 million project involves converting the hotel into a downsized hotel with over 170 guest rooms and 147 apartments. This combination of hotel and apartments is a new concept for downtown Hartford, but one that is becoming increasingly popular in larger cities. By repurposing the space, the city hopes to address the excess of office space and create a more balanced ecosystem.
The conversion process has not been without its challenges. The hotel's hot water and electrical systems, previously serving 393 hotel rooms, had to be divided to accommodate the new configuration. Additionally, the alarm system and elevators had to be reprogrammed to cater to the needs of both hotel guests and apartment dwellers. Despite these obstacles, the project is expected to be completed by March, with apartment preleasing starting soon after.
The newly painted facade of what will become a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Hartford, with separate entrance, at left, for the new apartments on the upper floors.
The apartments, known as "The Revel," will offer a unique living experience in downtown Hartford. The units are designed to be more modest in size than rentals elsewhere in the area. Studio apartments have been created from single guest rooms, while one- and two-bedroom units are formed by combining hotel rooms. Despite their smaller size, the apartments will come with a range of upscale amenities, including a fitness area, co-working spaces, and entertainment areas.
North Crossing developer Randy Salvatore talks about the lobby and separate entrance of The Revel, a new apartment complex on the upper floors of the Hartford Hilton on Trumbull Street. The apartments will be above a downsized hotel, rebranded as a DoubleTree by Hilton that is shared in the DoubleTree by Hilton.
The apartments will primarily consist of studios, one- and two-bedroom units. The studios range in size from 294 to 329 square feet, with monthly market-rate rents between $1,250 and $1,340. The larger units can go up to 1,269 square feet, with estimated monthly rents ranging from $1,250 to $2,900. The complex will also include affordable housing units that are leased at below market-rate rents based on income guidelines.
A rendering shows how a fitness center for The Revel apartments on the top floors of downtown Hartford’s Hilton hotel will look when construction is complete.
Randy Salvatore, the developer behind the project, is confident in the success of The Revel. He believes that the apartments will be fully occupied within a year due to the combination of amenities and the central location. The addition of these apartments is just one of many residential developments in Hartford in recent years, contributing to the city's vibrant and growing community.
As the project nears completion, there is still available space on the second and third floors. This space, primarily old meeting rooms, could be repurposed for new event spaces or potentially used by a university. The renovation of the hotel itself is also noteworthy, with all remaining rooms being gutted and renovated to reflect the history and landmarks of Hartford.
John DelGrosso, Vice President of Construction, Engineering and Technology Services, Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., left and Michael Heaton, President Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. are reflected in a mirror as they show a newly remodeled hotel room on the lower floors of the Hilton Hartford building that will be rebranded as a DoubleTree by Hilton.
The conversion of the Hilton Hartford into a downsized hotel and upscale apartments reflects the city's commitment to revitalization and creating a vibrant downtown community. With its prime location and thoughtful design, The Revel apartments are poised to become highly coveted living spaces in Hartford. The completion of this project represents a key milestone in the city's ongoing transformation and growth.
Contact Kenneth R. Gosselin at [email protected].
