The Swift Factory, a new commercial/community development in North East Hartford, is a great example of adaptive reuse and sustainable social impact development.
A 19th-century factory complex was restored and redeveloped by non-profit developer Community Solutions into a community hub and small business incubator campus with commercial kitchens, indoor farming, wellness tenants, and co-working space. The project committed to specific equity goals, with over 30% of the work performed by Hartford residents, as well as over 20% by minority workers.
The main factory building features tall windows to let light deep into the space, without needing to rely on electric lighting. New rain gardens on the site help manage stormwater and lighten the load on the municipal sewers. A new Northeast Neighborhood Sustainability Plan identified further opportunities to improve health, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability in the area.