11 Crown Street

Meriden, CT

TOWNHOUSES AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OVER NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL SPACE

  • 81 total residential units in a mix of multifamily and townhouse units

  • 80% affordable, 20% market rate

  • parking garage

  • 5,800 sf of conference/commercial space

  • 1.6 acre site

Master Planning, Urban Design, Architectural Design, LITEC Funding Submission, Stakeholder Meetings, Yield Analysis

ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Kenneth Boroson Architects

Design Architect: Torti Gallas + Partners
Developer: Michaels Development Co.

BUILDING & MOBILITY TYPES 

  • Duplex Townhouses

  • IBC Type V Mixed-Use Residential

  • Podium IBC Type V Mixed-Use Residential

  • Corridor Multi-family Residential

  • Community Center/Flex Retail

  • Pedestrian-Oriented Street Furniture

  • Bike Storage

  • On-Street Parking

  • Screened Parking Lots

  • Underground Parking

  • Bus Transit

  • Commuter Rail

  • Heavy Rail – Above Ground

The City of Meriden partnered with a project team, including the Torti Gallas design team led by Brian O’Looney as lead designer and Principal-in-Charge for the buildings, to transform key City-owned properties within a Transit-Oriented Zoning District. This transformative project replaces the former Record-Journal newspaper headquarters and forms the final piece of a comprehensive plan to reinvigorate Meriden’s downtown core. Situated adjacent to the new Civic Green, which now serves as the heart of Meriden, the development marks a significant milestone in the city’s revitalization.

The site presented several design challenges, including rock ledge along a geometrically complex, and constrained hillside site.  The lowest corner of the site was below the 500-year floodplain, requiring careful planning and mitigation.

Despite these challenges, the project delivers a thoughtfully designed mixed-use development, including:

  • An elevator-accessible apartment building and townhouse units, ensuring a diverse housing mix.

  • A covered parking garage and screened parking for residents and visitors.

  • Flexible office and conference spaces to support community and business needs.

  • Accessible units and visitable features, designed to meet current codes and promote inclusivity.

The development is designed to achieve Passive House certification under the PHIUS+ standard, setting a benchmark for energy-efficient, comfort and performance tuned to the local climate. Meeting stringent DOE, EPA, and Energy Star requirements, this design prioritizes sustainability while remaining affordable.

Funded in part by9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) awarded by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), the project exemplifies the successful integration of affordability, sustainability, and urban connectivity, ensuring long-term benefits for Meriden’s residents and the downtown core.

As Principal-in-charge, Brian developed and refined the building designs, and managed the design through the architectural process, acting as the key point of contact between the design team, client, architect-of-record, and construction partners. He led meetings for public approvals, prioritized aligning design choices with the client’s pro forma, ensuring that the project maintained both a high level of architectural integrity and financial feasibility.