The West Hartford business landscape is shifting as autumn arrives, characterized by a mix of major infrastructure projects and local venue transformations. As the town prepares for the change of seasons, several key developments are reshaping the local economy and community spaces.
Market Hospitality Group Pushes Forward on Farmington Avenue
One of the most anticipated projects in West Hartford Center is finally hitting a major construction milestone. Market Hospitality Group (MHG) has confirmed that steel erection for their mixed-use development at 976-978 Farmington Avenue is slated for the coming weeks. The site, formerly home to CVS and Max Zeller Furs, is being reimagined as a destination featuring two signature restaurants: the Italian-inspired Mercato and the steak and seafood house Blu Pointe.
According to co-owner Eli Hawli, the project faced temporary delays due to essential utility upgrades along Farmington Avenue, but the foundation is now secure. With construction shifting into high gear, the group aims to have the first of the two restaurants operational by the end of December, followed closely by the second. The building will also feature five new residential units, contributing to the town’s ongoing efforts to increase density in the commercial core.
New Training Facilities and Home Services
Beyond the high-profile restaurant developments, the town is seeing growth in specialized services. Elite Soccer Performance (E.S.P.) has signed a lease for the former Hannon-Hatch VFW building at 83 South Street. Owners Michelle and James Perkins plan to transform the space into a 6,000-square-foot indoor turf facility. The venue is designed to serve as a community hub for youth athletes, offering training that goes beyond traditional club boundaries. The facility is expected to open by November 1, with plans to integrate additional sports-related services like physical therapy and performance psychology.
Simultaneously, the healthcare sector is expanding its local footprint. Emerest Home Care of CT has officially opened a new office at 127 Park Road. This expansion marks their fourth location in Connecticut, further bolstering the town’s health and wellness infrastructure.
Infrastructure Updates and Community Milestones
While private development drives change, the town’s public infrastructure projects are also nearing completion. The West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan continues to progress, with recent work focusing on sidewalk improvements and the installation of new pedestrian amenities like benches and planters along Farmington Avenue and LaSalle Road.
The town’s broader development efforts also include the ongoing construction of “The Jayden,” a 70-unit residential project at 579 New Park Avenue, and the scheduled demolition of the former St. Brigid School site. As these projects move forward, they signal a broader trend of transit-oriented development aimed at modernizing West Hartford’s housing and commercial stock.
In other local news, the community recently celebrated the winners of the 12th Annual “Best of West Hartford” awards. The results, reflecting strong community engagement, will be officially honored during an upcoming networking event on September 28 at the Back Nine Tavern. With upcoming events like the Blue Back Burger Bash and ongoing literary programming at River Bend Bookshop, the town remains a vibrant hub for both business and social connection as the calendar turns toward October.
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