A New Chapter for Agudas Achim: Preserving History Through Mixed-Income Housing

For decades, the Agudas Achim Synagogue was a cornerstone of the West Hartford community. In recent years, it sat vacant.

Now, the West Hartford Housing Authority (WHHA) is giving the property a new future. Through its nonprofit development arm, Trout Brook Realty Advisors (TBRA), the site is being transformed into The Elle at North Main, a mixed-income community that preserves the building’s history while creating new housing opportunities.

A Century-Old Fixture

The Agudas Achim congregation has been part of the greater West Hartford community since 1887. In 1967, the congregation held its ground-breaking in its third and final location in West Hartford and in 1969, the first services were held at this location. After merging with another congregation in 2018, the building was left vacant and later listed for sale.

In 2023, TBRA acquired the property and began planning its conversion into affordable housing while preserving its historical character. In 2024, TBRA and WHHA broke ground on The Elle at North Main, a mixed-income community that will bring new life to the site.

“West Hartford does not have a lot of undeveloped land, so we get to be creative,” WHHA Executive Director Jill Corrado said. This project builds on TBRA’s experience of transforming underutilized properties, including an auto dealership, auto supply store, and vacant land, into vibrant housing communities.

Preserving a Legacy and Expanding Housing Opportunity

The Elle at North Main will introduce 49 new rental homes to a thriving West Hartford neighborhood. Ten of the units will be set at market-rate rents, while the remaining units will be affordable for households earning at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). The property will be comprised of 24 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom apartments.

“This is our first project in a particular area of West Hartford that has very little, if any, affordable housing,” Corrado explained. “We are very excited to bring this level of affordability to this very high opportunity neighborhood.”

Designed for Community and Sustainability

The Elle will include features that promote health, wellness, safety, and affordability, including:

Community space, fitness room, and lobby lounge area to foster health, wellness, and connection among residents.
Safe, secure bicycle storage designed to give residents peace of mind and convenient access to surrounding amenities
Key fob access and onsite property management office to promote safety and operational efficiency
Backup generator to protect the property and its residents during power outages
Modern finishes, including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and in-unit washer/dryer
Rooftop photovoltaic panels and on-site electric vehicle charging stations
Emerald certification under the National Green Building Standard, ensuring high indoor environmental quality and strong performance in energy, water, and resource efficiency
Utilities expenses paid by the Owner, along with a monthly internet connectivity stipend
Deep income targeting, reserving 13 units for households earning at or below 30% AMI, 20 at or below 50% AMI, and six at or below 60% AMI.

“This project is a visual representation of preserving history and creating its new purpose at the same time” Corrado said.

To honor the building’s spiritual and historical legacy, WHHA is preserving the synagogue’s façade, including its vintage stained-glass windows. The lobby will feature an interpretive panel that showcases the history of the building and its congregation and mid-century modern design elements have been included in the community spaces.

Agudas Achim Synagogue Render

Renderings of the façade for The Elle on Main

Careful design decisions were made to preserve the character of the surrounding residential neighborhood. The development’s height was limited, the building was set back from the street, and the footprint was designed to align with the neighborhood’s scale.

Centrally located, The Elle will provide residents with convenient access to daily necessities, including grocery stores, libraries, schools, and pharmacies. In addition, two bus lines will have stops at the property, connecting residents to Hartford and Bloomfield.

Funding a Transformation

The Elle at North Main is a $28.2 million development with funding supported by::

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH)
Town of West Hartford
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
M&T Bank
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Rental assistance at the property is made possible through 15 project-based vouchers (PBVs) awarded by WHHA and rental subsidies for 10 additional units from the State Rental Assistance Program. These ten units will be reserved for individuals with intellectual disabilities supported by the Department of Developmental Services.

CHFA provided a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award, taxable bonds, a loan to fund the construction and permanent debt, and an Opportunity Funds Loan. The DOH provided Housing Flex and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds, while the Town of West Hartford provided an ARPA loan to support the construction and funding from DECD Brownfields to remediate the site. M&T Bank is the equity investor in the project through its purchase of the LIHTCs.

Lessons for Replicating this Transformation

Celebrate and Preserve the History

Preserving the spiritual and historical significance of the building was key to the project's success. When TBRA assessed the possibility of redeveloping the synagogue, they deliberately opted for a higher-cost design that maintained the building’s historic façade.

Community Outreach is Essential

TBRA engaged more than 90 nearby residents, businesses, and property owners to gather feedback on the design. This proactive outreach helped build trust and secure the necessary approvals to move forward.

Build a Strong Team

Establishing relationships with municipal leaders, consultants, and funding partners was critical to completing this complex adaptive reuse project. Having a team who is as committed to the completion of the project as the developer is critical to a successful project. Prior to The Elle and over the past 13 years, TBRA has developed or re-developed a total of 397 units, building the capacity necessary to undertake a challenging redevelopment of this scale.

Prioritize Mission Alignment

Because TBRA commits to owning and operating properties for 50 years or more, mission alignment with partners is essential. These partnerships ensure that The Elle incorporates durable materials, high-quality design standards, and features that reduce long-term operating costs while promoting resident safety, affordability and enjoyment.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Developing affordable housing requires patience and persistence. New challenges may arise throughout the planning and construction process, necessitating adjustments to plans or the acquisition of gap financing to keep the project on track.

Building a Vibrant Mixed-Income Community

The Elle is expected to open to residents in June 2026. More than 3,000 individuals have applied for the waiting list, demonstrating the significant demand for affordable housing that the property will address.

WHHA Executive Director Jill Corrado explained that “quote about how you hope this property will help the new residents and West Hartford community.”

“The Elle at North Main shows what’s possible when vision meets history and community. Revitalizing this site into a place where affordability, opportunity, and new beginnings can come to life has been an opportunity to honor its past while creating a future filled with possibility. Its opening isn’t just the start of a new chapter for the building, but for every resident who will soon call it home.”