New Jersey developer Silverman Group is considering a major expansion of The Ridge on Talcott Mountain in Simsbury, Connecticut.
The current complex, built on the former headquarters of The Hartford, consists of more than 170 townhouses and apartments. The proposed expansion will add more than 500 new apartments and homes to the development, The Hartford Gazette reports.
The Silverman Group’s plan, called The Ridge at Talcott Mountain – South, focuses on rental housing and includes 448 new apartments. In addition, the company intends to build 70 single-family homes and 11 duplexes, including 22 individual units.
The extension was presented to city planners at a meeting at Simsbury Town Hall on Wednesday. Although the demonstration is informal, no permit requests or zoning applications have yet been filed.
The Silverman Group began revamping the area after acquiring the 172-acre estate on Hopmeadow Street near Old Canal Way in 2015 for $8.5 million. The company demolished more than 600,000 square feet of office buildings that once housed the insurance giant’s 1,500 employees.
The existing Ridge at Talcott Mountain development on the site currently offers apartments and townhouses featuring upscale mountain living. Two-bedroom apartments with amenities like balconies or patios and stainless steel appliances are currently listing for $2,170 to $2,600. The complex features a swimming pool, conference room, yoga room, fitness center, game room, and dog run.
A concept paper submitted to the town by the Silverman Group lays out plans for an outdoor pool, community buildings and open spaces in the expanded development.
The proposed expansion includes 14 three-story buildings, each containing 32 apartments of various sizes, as well as 70 single-family homes located to the north and southeast of the property.
The Silverman Group’s original proposal in 2015 included retail and commercial space, but the residential component of The Ridge in Talcott Hill proved to be more successful. The company reported less interest in other spaces, causing them to be excluded from expansion plans.
Housing in Connecticut, especially in Simsbury, has been an issue.
Earlier this month, Simsbury homeowner Dylan Gagne filed a lawsuit accusing the town council of illegally approving a 64-unit multifamily project developed by New York City’s Vessel Corporation, CTInsider report.
Vessel is already locked in legal battles with at least two other Connecticut towns — Glastonbury and Rocky Mount — that have also rejected the company’s requests for housing projects.
Simsbury zoning council has already rejected Vessel’s proposal and chief executive Neil Rubler said the company would appeal to the High Court if a settlement was not reached.
— Ted Glazer
