For decades, a 3.2-acre parcel at the north end of Windsor Locks’ Main Street sat underutilized — anchored by an aging 37,000-square-foot commercial strip that offered little to the surrounding community. The site lacked meaningful connections to downtown and contributed nothing to the walkable, transit-oriented corridor the town needed. With Connecticut simultaneously investing $65 million to relocate the Windsor Locks train station back to its historic downtown location, the moment called for a development that could bridge past and future.

The $85 million, two-phase mixed-use redevelopment of 255 Main Street responds with 120 mixed-income apartments above ground-floor commercial space. A U-shaped building in Phase 1 and a complementary linear building in Phase 2 are positioned close to the street to activate the public realm, while red-clay fiber-cement siding and setback top floors honor the region’s brick-making heritage and echo the three-story rhythm of historic Main Street. Strategic placement of lobbies and pedestrian passages creates seamless connections between the buildings, parking areas, and the adjacent new train station.

The project delivers lasting benefit across income levels, with units available at 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% of area median income alongside market-rate apartments — financed through CHFA tax credit equity and state soft debt resources. Plazas, green areas, and a water feature with pergola offer welcoming gathering spaces for residents and neighbors alike. By combining affordable housing with transit-oriented design, 255 Main Street serves as a catalyst for sustainable, connected community growth in Windsor Locks.