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Historic Restoration — Roosevelt Mill To Loom City Lofts

Market: Residential
Type: Residential and Retail
Location: Rockville, CT
Developer / Owner: Mark Levine & Joseph Vallone
Architect: Joseph Vallone Architects + Development Studio, L.L.C.
Project Services & Certifications:: Energy Modeling; Plan Review; NGBS™ Silver Certification
Building Size: 70,000sqft; 4 stories; 68 units
Funding: $5m grant Competitive Housing Assistance for Multifamily Properties; State historic tax credits

Project Background and Services:

After decades of vacancy and a thirteen-year redevelopment process, the revitalized Roosevelt Mill, now Loom City Lofts, re-opened its doors in the Rockville section of Vernon, CT. Originally built in 1834, Minterburn Mill was a successful woolen factory until the early 1900s when a local textile company occupied the space for sweater manufacturing and re-named the building Roosevelt Mill.

Now after many years of neglect and deterioration, the property has been transformed into 60 affordable and 8 market rate apartments, plus 7,000 SF of amenity and retail space. Sustainability experts at Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) guided the project through the NGBS and HERS Rating processes with specific emphasis on optimizing energy efficiency.

 

Primary Energy Conservation Measures:

As one of the first structures in New England built entirely of reinforced concrete, the former mill holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places from 1906. Strict preservation guidelines meant no alterations were allowed to the façade, which presents challenges for building envelope improvements. Preservation guidelines allow continuous rigid insulation to be installed on the interior of the concrete walls, since this installation is theoretically removable. Each apartment features high-efficiency appliances and lighting, with heat and domestic hot water provided by tankless boilers. The apartments maintain the original mill feel with lofty concrete ceilings and exposed beams, and the National Green Building Standard recognizes the extensive reuse of existing building materials. Residents enjoy the Hockanum River flowing over the falls and under the Northwest side of Loom City Lofts as it has for more than 150 years.

Awards:

  • AIA Connecticut 2016 Design Award