It been five years in the making and seen a protracted court appeal.
Now the large-scale apartment complex proposed for workers in the UConn Health corridor in Farmington is nearing completion.
The 402 Farmington Ave. complex will have 130 apartments almost directly across Farmington Avenue from UConn Health’s campus when it opens in 2026.
Contractors have spent more than a year clearing part of a 14-acre woodland and constructing the three-story building. Crews are still doing heavy construction, but the framework and most of the exterior walls appear to be completed.
Along with Up House at the former Hartford Marriott Farmington and The Olmsted on Batterson Park Road, 402 Farmington is one of three major new apartment complexes in town where traditional single-family homes have dominated for decades.
“402 Farmington Avenue will contain 130 apartment units, a vibrant amenity and fitness area, pool, and roof deck, just steps from the state’s leading bioscience corridor and a short drive to West Hartford center,” Metro Realty Group’s website advertises.
Metro Realty executives did not respond to messages this week, but there is no indication that they have begun advertising or pre-leasing units.
Town and state officials alike supported the proposal when the company put forward its plan at the end of 2020. Connecticut has promoted the stretch of Route 4 near UConn Health as a high-quality jobs corridor emphasizing engineering, medicine, biotech and technology, with major nearby employers including Carrier Corp, Jackson Laboratory and Stanley Black & Decker.
A rendering of the 130-unit apartment complex currently under construction in Farmington. (Courtesy of Town of Farmington)Metro Realty initially proposed a four-story building with 146 apartments, but that was scaled back after the town’s zoning board agreed to just three floors. The company promoted it as a way to offer modern, amenity-rich rental housing within walking distance of a key Farmington Valley employment hub.
The proposal went through heavy, persistent opposition. Nearby homeowners banded together under the banner Save Farmington – Reject Massive Development and fought to get the plan scuttled at the zoning board.
Even after the plan was downsized from 146 to 131 apartments, a small group of neighbors sued to overturn the zoning permit for it. That suit dragged on for more than two years, but ultimately failed.
The town approved Metro Realty’s plan to use part of the rooftop as a social gathering space for tenants, but acknowledged neighbors’ concerns about nighttime noise. As a result, 402 Farmington will allow access to the rooftop only via tenants’ key fobs, and will ban music along with any use after 10 p.m.
“Amenities are a critical marketing element that contribute to the success of a residential development. In today’s market, rooftop amenity spaces are a major marketing draw, and we feel this particular amenity would distinguish the 402 Farmington Avenue development as truly unique among increasing competition,” Metro Realty said in requesting permission to use the rooftop space.