Projects

Swift Factory

NORTH HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

Swift Factory, a former gold leaf manufacturing center located at the heart North Hartford, has been transformed into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship, training, learning and community engagement. Once a hub for Hartford industry, the M. Swift and Sons gold leafing factory stood vacant since 2005. Swift opened its doors in the fall of 2020 after a 10-year community engagement, fundraising, planning, and construction effort.

During that period, residents prioritized the need for creating jobs and small business opportunities within the community. Swift has delivered on that vision with:

  • Incubator kitchens for start-up and expanding food businesses
  • Affordable office spaces for small businesses and community organizations
  • A state of the art Hartford Public Library branch (in planning) that will feature education and workforce development services
  • A Community Financial Center (in planning) 
  • An elementary school 
  • Health and counseling services
  • An anticipated 150 long-term jobs once all spaces are in operation
Swift opened its doors in the fall of 2020.

Overview

  • Redeveloped former industrial anchor as thriving community hub to create jobs and improve neighborhood health
  • Community-informed design process, including City of Hartford and multiple local partner organizations
  • Second place winners of 2015 U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities Economic Planning Challenge
  • Centerpiece of Hartford’s successful application for federal Promise Zone status for North Hartford area
  • Construction began in 2018 and the property opened in fall of 2020
  • Commitment to job creation for people of color and Hartford residents has driven every phase of the project. Sixty percent of construction hours on the project were completed by people of color, 33% were completed by Hartford residents, and nearly 10% by neighborhood residents

History

  • Former M. Swift & Sons Company gold leaf factory
  • Established in 1887, facility employed over 300 people at its peak
  • Shuttered in 2005, contributing to dramatic economic decline of surrounding area
  • Donated to Community Solutions for use in revitalization of North Hartford neighborhood

© Robert Benson Photography

The majority of Swift’s tenants are Black entrepreneurs and businesses led by women.

Design

  • Food Business Incubator (4,500 sq. ft.) – Commercial kitchen for training in culinary arts and food service
    • Affordable space and business support for food entrepreneurs
  • Shared Office Space (10,000 sq. ft.) – Share office and community space for local entrepreneurs and like-minded organizations
Swift Factory

© Robert Benson Photography

Leasing:

Contact Salena Robinson to discuss leasing: 

srobinson@community.solutions

(860) 967-0663

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