Community Solutions
Swift Factory Redevelopment
Project Overview
- Adaptive reuse of a historic multi-building factory situated on an urban, brownfield site designated as a Federal Promise Zone
- Managing multiple funding sources, including state and federal Historic Tax Credits and New Market Tax Credits
- Compliance with stringent diversity and Hartford resident worker requirements
Community Solutions is a national non-profit organization committed to impacting the lives of vulnerable people and places by catalyzing the social systems that support them. They selected the former Swift Factory Complex in Northeast Hartford, CT as their latest change engine. The 100-year old factory building was the former home of M. Swift and Sons Factory, a historically significant manufacturer of gold leaf and other pressed metals.
The Swift Factory Complex was transformed into a multi-purpose community hub and entrepreneurial hotspot for one of Connecticut’s lowest-income neighborhoods, aiming to improve health and create jobs for residents. The established program is centered around three core elements: Made at Swift, Healthy Swift and Green Swift, and includes urban farming and growing, food manufacturing and distribution, a health clinic, classrooms and office and cultural spaces—all with the goal of providing opportunities for job training and creation, entrepreneurial activity and economic growth.
To achieve the Swift Factory Complex’s diverse programming, Consigli renovated two residential homes located on the lot, Grey House and White House, and engaged in a comprehensive building investigation period followed by abatement of the factory buildings. The two-story, wood-framed factory buildings were completely reconfigured on the interior, including new framing, finishes and M/E/Ps, along with the installation of elevators and new windows. With the goal of supporting sustainable living, green design and building practices were implemented throughout.
