With its January 2003 decision to purchase and rehabilitate the 17-acre
former Colt Armory complex, already a National Landmark, Homes for
America Holdings, Inc. asked Hartford-based architects Tai Soo Kim
Partners to develop a vision for redevelopment of the site.
The concepts of the master plan for Coltsville,
developed in concert with the developer,
entail renovations to both exteriors and
interiors for mixed-uses comprised of approximately
300 residential rental units and 150,000
s.f. of commercial space, totaling over
600,000 s.f.
In the East Armory, the last building
to serve as a manufacturing facility, a
portion of the first floor under the signature
blue onion dome will be set aside for a
National Park Service Visitor's Center
and Colt Legacy Museum.
With its internationally famous dome and
rampant colt trademark, the Armory is one
of Hartford's most important architectural
and historical jewels. The Colt Manufacturing
Co. sparked the greatest prosperity the
city has ever known, and was a center of
industrial innovation and production technology
that changed the way of life in the United
States.
This master plan lays the groundwork,
turning these 17 acres of deteriorating
buildings into a vital downtown neighborhood,
as well as a regional educational resource
and attraction with national appeal.
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