Norwalk Office Building Proposed for Residential Use
The plan would convert a vacant office site into 96 apartments if city zoning officials approve the density increase.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Commercial
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Developers are proposing to convert a vacant 179,000-square-foot office building at 535 Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk into 96 residential apartments. The project, which includes a 15% affordable housing component, depends on a requested zoning text amendment to increase allowed density.
Why it matters
The proposal addresses the city's soft office market, where the building's value has dropped significantly from $36.2 million in 2002 to approximately $8 million today. If the conversion is not approved, the owners plan to demolish the structure for retail development.
The plan replaces 45 currently permitted units with 96 residential apartments ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 square feet. Monthly market-rate rents are estimated at $2,800 for the proposed 1.5- and 2-bedroom layouts on the 1.7-acre site.
The players
Bow Tie Partners
The developer proposing the residential conversion of the vacant Connecticut Avenue office building.
The details
The developer, Bow Tie Partners, seeks a text amendment for the CD-3C zone to bypass current density limits that only allow 45 units. Because the existing 1988-built Class C property is outdated and expensive to modernize for corporate tenants, the plan utilizes the structure's 500 existing parking spots to support residential use. Without this change, the property owners have stated they will move to demolish the site for a new retail project.
Timeline
1988: Original building construction completed.
2002: Property assessed at $36.2 million.
2012: Property assessed at $26 million.
May 2026: Initial pre-application presentation to the commission.
2030: Projected city office vacancy rate.
The Home Front
This conversion proposal follows a trend of repurposing aging Class C office space that no longer meets modern commercial standards. As high vacancy rates persist, cities are increasingly reevaluating zoning codes to allow these footprints to transition into high-density housing.
Neighbors near 535 Connecticut Avenue should monitor upcoming commission meetings regarding the proposed zoning text amendment. If you are interested in new housing options, note that the developer estimates market rents at $2,800, with 15% of the units designated as affordable.
The takeaway
The proposed conversion of this 179,000-square-foot building highlights the ongoing challenges of repurposing legacy office space in Norwalk. Residents should watch for further public hearing notices on the CD-3C zoning amendment to understand how this change impacts neighborhood density.
Further reading
Learn more about local development trends in the Norwalk Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Norwalkcurrent.
Live Poll
Should city planners prioritize converting vacant office buildings into residential apartments over keeping them for businesses?
