Shelton, CT — August 3, 2025 — CT03 LLC, a New Haven‑based real estate investment firm, has formally proposed transforming the Residence Inn by Marriott at 1001 Bridgeport Avenue into a 96‑unit apartment community that includes 18 units (19%) reserved for renters earning up to 80% of the area median income.
Instead of demolishing the hotel, the developers plan to retrofit the existing “extended stay” structure—currently consisting of 96 rooms—into studios and two‑bedroom apartments. The proposed unit mix includes 72 studios and 24 two‑bedroom units. The firm intends to retain the hotel’s kitchen-equipped suites and amenity spaces such as the outdoor pool, fitness center, barbecue area and communal lounge.
CT03 LLC emphasizes that adaptive reuse greatly reduces carbon emissions—cutting up to 80% compared to new construction—while addressing the city’s housing shortage more efficiently and cost‑effectively.
Shelton has seen escalating rental prices throughout its downtown and Bridgeport Avenue corridor. Recent housing analysis shows average rents of around $1,725 for studios and over $3,300 for two‑bedroom units, with vacancy rates under 2%. These trends have made it increasingly difficult for moderate‑income households to find stable housing.
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CT03 LLC’s proposal, which sets affordable units at 80% of area median income—approximately $83,000 for a family of four in Shelton—seeks to offer some relief to local workers, seniors, and young professionals by delivering rental alternatives designed with local incomes in mind.
The plan has been submitted to the Shelton Planning & Zoning Commission, which must approve a modification to the property’s current Planned Development District zoning, in effect since 1987. The developers also plan to add up to 120 parking spaces, a modest expansion beyond current capacity.
Legal representative Dominick Thomas has highlighted the project’s broad support within the Shelton business community and its potential to support local employers by expanding the available workforce housing stock. A hearing date has yet to be set, and no final decision has been issued.
The Marriott conversion is part of a broader surge of multifamily and mixed‑use housing development in Shelton and nearby Bridgeport and Trumbull areas in 2025. Current projects include Langanke’s Landing, a 55‑unit development under construction at 1055 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. The River Road project involves a 152‑unit luxury complex featuring four buildings and a clubhouse, with 20 units reserved as affordable. Cedar Village at the Locks, a 129‑unit development along Canal Street paired with retail space, is slated for completion in 2026.
This broader context underscores increasing momentum in regional housing expansion, though some projects have faced zoning and legal hurdles. Resident opposition and environmental concerns have emerged in other proposed developments, including a planned zone change for property north of town, reflecting the challenge of balancing growth and community preservation.
CT03 LLC, which already manages hundreds of multifamily units across North America (including over 500 conversions by mid‑2025), underscores its emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The Shelton project was selected after extensive market research and conversations with stakeholders such as the local Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and nonprofit partners.
Company spokesperson Pavel Rahman described the Residence Inn asset as an “off‑market opportunity” in need of revitalization. “The property was in dire need of investment and repositioning,” he said, noting the firm’s belief that this adaptive reuse model can deliver community value while minimizing environmental footprint.
If approved, the conversion would not only create 78 market‑rate apartments and 18 income-restricted units, but also preserve existing green‑field space and mitigate construction-generated emissions. The reuse approach is faster and potentially less disruptive than ground-up projects.
Residents, businesses, and city officials may interpret the proposal as an opportunity to meet housing demand, anchor workforce retention, and demonstrate Shelton’s willingness to leverage creative planning tools—in alignment with the city’s Affordable Housing Plan and broader zoning modernization goals.
Applicants will still need detailed traffic studies, parking plans, and engineering site plans in support of the zoning modification. These will be discussed at the upcoming PZC hearing once scheduled.
Planning and Zoning Commission members will evaluate the project’s compliance with local regulations, community input, and its alignment with Shelton’s development strategy. If approved, the adaptive retrofit could begin later in 2025 or early 2026.
In a region grappling with tight rental markets and rising construction costs, the Shelton Residence Inn project could serve as a pilot for sustainable housing reuse strategies—balancing affordability, environmental stewardship and economic growth.
