Historic Meriden Piano Factory Reopens As 82-Unit Housing Community

MERIDEN, CT — The redevelopment of a former historic piano factory into a mixed-income housing development was recently celebrated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in Meriden.

Trinity Financial, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, the Connecticut Department of Housing, other state and local officials, financing partners, community leaders, and residents celebrated last Tuesday the completion of Tremont Flats, a $56-million adaptive reuse redevelopment that transformed the historic Aeolian Company complex into 82 mixed-income apartment homes in Meriden's North End.

Less than two years after construction began, the “long-underutilized industrial property at 85 Tremont Street has been restored and repurposed as a modern residential community, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can accelerate housing production while preserving historic buildings and revitalizing neighborhoods,” according to a news release.

Read more from the news release below:

Originally constructed in 1887 as the first purpose-built facility for the Aeolian Company, the complex once served as a center for the production of automatic player pianos, organs and the perforated music rolls that were used to play different songs. Following decades of various industrial and commercial uses, the property has been transformed into much-needed housing while maintaining architectural features that reflect Meriden's industrial heritage.

The development includes 82 mixed-income apartments, including apartments affordable to households across a range of income levels and fourteen units supported through the federal Section 811 program for individuals with disabilities. Residents began moving into the community in early 2026, approximately 20 months after construction commenced.

Project Highlights

• $56-million in state and federal resources
• 82 mixed-income apartment homes
• Historic preservation of the former Aeolian Company complex
• Brownfield remediation and environmental cleanup
• Energy-efficient design featuring a 145-kW rooftop solar panel system and high-efficiency building systems
• Part of a broader public-private investment in North Meriden, including $2.5 million in recreational improvements

"Today marks the completion of a collaborative effort to breathe new life into a long-underutilized industrial property while preserving an important piece of the city's history," said Dan Drazen, Vice President, Development of Trinity Financial. "Tremont Flats is providing new housing opportunities for residents while bringing a landmark building back into productive use. As housing and construction costs continue to rise across Connecticut, investments from our funding partners are critical to making complex redevelopment projects possible. We are grateful to DOH, CHFA, DECD, KeyBank, Eversource, Capital for Change, the City of Meriden, the North End community, and the many partners who believed in our vision for this project."

Bysiewicz said, “Tremont Flats shows what’s possible when state, local, and private partners work together to expand Connecticut’s housing supply. This redevelopment preserves a historic landmark while creating new housing options for residents to contribute directly to the revitalization of Meriden’s North End. With the City’s ongoing investments in parks, recreation, and public spaces, projects like this help strengthen neighborhoods and support families across the community.”

The redevelopment also addressed longstanding environmental concerns through the remediation of a former Brownfield site impacted by decades of industrial use. Cleanup efforts included asbestos and lead paint abatement, soil remediation, and installation of a sub-slab ventilation system to ensure long-term indoor air quality for residents.

“Tremont Flats is a significant investment for the state including almost $10 million from us,” said Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Housing. “By restoring this historic space and converting it into more than 80 units, we are once again leveraging Connecticut’s existing properties to create high quality permanent homes our residents can afford. All successful projects take a village, and we are proud to partner with the City of Meriden and Trinity Financial on this transformational development.”

Residents of Tremont Flats have access to community lounges with WiFi, a fitness center, indoor children's play space, EV charging stations, indoor bicycle storage, and a landscaped courtyard. The development also incorporates energy-efficient features, including high-efficiency HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and rooftop solar panels. The project is on track to be certified through Enterprise Green Communities 2020, the nation’s only green building program designed for affordable housing development.

“CHFA is proud to support developments that increase Connecticut's housing supply while preserving the historic character that makes our communities unique,” said Nandini Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. “Tremont Flats demonstrates how public financing tools and strong partnerships with private lenders and investors can help bring transformative projects to fruition and create housing opportunities for residents across a range of incomes.”

Tremont Flats is part of a broader public-private investment in Meriden's North End. In addition to the redevelopment of the historic Aeolian complex, the City of Meriden is investing approximately $2.5 million in upgrades to local recreational amenities. Improvements include modernization of the North End Field athletic complex, which now includes two (2) new synthetic fields and drainage infrastructure, a full-court basketball court, a new playscape, pedestrian pathways, expanded parking and additional parking improvements along Locust Street. Together, these investments strengthen neighborhood assets, support local families, and contribute to the long-term revitalization of North Meriden.

City officials said the redevelopment demonstrates the impact of coordinated investment in housing, infrastructure, and community amenities.

“Tremont Flats has transformed an historic property that sat underutilized for decades into a community asset that provides new housing opportunities and contributes to the continued revitalization of Meriden's North End,” said Joe Feest, Economic Development Director for the City of Meriden. “Trinity Financial has been a tremendous partner throughout every stage of this redevelopment. Combined with the City's investments in parks, recreation, and public spaces, this project represents the kind of coordinated investment that helps neighborhoods thrive and creates lasting benefits for residents.”

The redevelopment has already begun welcoming residents and creating new opportunities for individuals and families seeking high-quality housing in Meriden.

“For me, Tremont Flats represents stability, opportunity, and community,” said Tiana Grant, a Tremont Flats resident. “This building has been part of Meriden's history for generations, and now it has a new purpose. It's exciting to see it brought back to life and to be able to call it home.”

Tremont Flats was financed through a partnership among the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH), Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), KeyBank, Eversource, and Capital for Change.