A large office building that once housed hundreds of employees on Day Hill Road is on track for a dramatic transformation into a mixed-use community. The former Konica Minolta office property at 500 Day Hill Road, which has sat underused in recent years, is slated to become a residential and retail hub with nearly 300 apartments. The project is being hailed as a sign of how suburban communities across Connecticut are adapting to new housing demands while finding productive uses for empty office buildings.
The site, spanning more than 20 acres, was acquired this summer by subsidiaries of Condyne Capital Partners and Mark Greenberg Real Estate. The purchase price was just under $3 million, reflecting the steep decline in demand for traditional office space since the pandemic reshaped working patterns. Konica Minolta had occupied the building since the early 1980s, employing as many as 550 people at its peak, but officially moved operations out of the facility several years ago. Today, what was once a hub of corporate activity is poised to become a residential anchor in Windsor’s Day Hill corridor.
Developers plan to introduce approximately 300 apartments on the property, with most designed as one- and two-bedroom layouts and a smaller number set aside as studio units. The existing office structure will be converted into housing, while three additional multifamily residential buildings will be constructed on site. This mix of adaptive reuse and new construction is expected to give the property a fresh identity while responding to strong demand for rental housing in the region.
The project also includes about 18,000 square feet of commercial and retail space along Day Hill Road, allowing residents to enjoy on-site shopping and services while adding to the corridor’s appeal as a mixed-use destination. To support residents and visitors, more than 650 parking spaces are planned, with the majority designated for apartments and additional capacity for the retail portion. Developers envision a walkable community where residential living, amenities, and commercial services coexist, echoing broader trends in suburban redevelopment.
One of the reasons this project is moving forward is Windsor’s recent changes to local zoning regulations. Town officials approved amendments that make it easier to adapt existing office or industrial structures into housing, provided that developers secure a special use permit. Local leaders have also begun discussing the creation of a new Day Hill Corridor Design Development District, which would establish consistent standards for future projects in the area. These steps are intended to guide redevelopment while ensuring growth aligns with Windsor’s long-term planning goals.
The Windsor development underscores a broader challenge facing communities nationwide: what to do with surplus office space in an era when many companies rely on hybrid or remote work models. According to national real estate analysts, suburban office vacancies have increased sharply since 2020, leaving towns and property owners searching for alternatives. Converting outdated office buildings into housing has become one of the most viable solutions, especially in regions like Greater Hartford where the need for apartments continues to grow.
Town officials and developers alike have framed the project as a response to a pressing housing shortage in Connecticut. Demand for rental housing has risen steadily as young professionals, downsizing retirees, and new residents look for flexible living options outside of urban centers. Windsor’s location along the I-91 corridor makes it attractive for those commuting to Hartford, Springfield, and nearby employment hubs, further increasing the appeal of new residential offerings in the area.
Although the property has already changed hands and early plans have been revealed, the developers have not yet filed a formal site plan application with the town. Preliminary discussions with local boards have been described as productive, and officials have indicated they are receptive to the proposal given the town’s stated goals for the Day Hill corridor. Konica Minolta, which still maintains some operations in the building, is expected to fully vacate the site before redevelopment begins.
If approved, the Windsor project could serve as a model for other communities grappling with empty office parks and outdated commercial properties. By blending residential, retail, and adaptive reuse, it demonstrates a path forward for towns seeking to revitalize underperforming areas while meeting critical housing needs. As more municipalities weigh how to address similar challenges, Windsor’s approach could become a blueprint for suburban redevelopment in Connecticut and beyond.