The company redeveloping the former Ames property in Rocky Hill into a multi-building, mixed-use residential project has shifted its plans, eliminating a planned office component, increasing retail space and adding more apartments.
Hamden-based developer Belfonti Cos. LLC had gained approval to build 213 apartments over 11 buildings on more than 12 acres at 2418 Main St., for a project that’s been dubbed “Kelson Row.”
However, the firm — led by CEO Michael Belfonti — this week received approval from the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission to make changes to the three-story, mixed-use Building 11. The changes will remove the previously approved 6,200 square feet of office space, increase the ground-floor retail area by 1,800 square feet, and add another 12 residential units.
The new units, Belfonti said Thursday morning, will include eight, one-bedroom apartments and four, two-bedroom apartments.
The $60 million-plus redevelopment of the former Ames headquarters site in Rocky Hill, which sat vacant for about two decades, broke ground last year and is expected to be completed late summer or early fall, 2025, Belfonti said.
The project already has a waitlist of 130 future potential tenants, Belfonti said.
The developer has also hired Matt Halprin of New England Retail Properties to begin marketing the project’s retail space. Belfonti said he’d like “as many retail tenants” as possible, because the goal is to create a town center feel. That could include restaurants, a coffee shop, bike store, medical practice, etc.
