Officials Break Ground On 175-Unit Multifamily Development In Darien

DARIEN, CT — Officials from High Street Residential (HSR), the residential subsidiary of global real estate development firm Trammell Crow Company, recently broke ground on Thorndal Circle in Darien - a 175-unit multifamily development.

Located at 1 Thorndal Circle, five three-story residential buildings will replace the former office complex at the 11-acre site which sits a half-mile south of downtown Darien.

The project is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2027, according to an announcement from Trammell Crow Company.

The Darien Planning & Zoning Commission approved the project in early February.

"Thorndal Circle represents a significant milestone for Darien," said Michael Adamo, a senior vice president with HSR, in an announcement. "As the first Class-A apartment community built here in more than two decades, it thoughtfully balances modern, transit-oriented living with the charm and natural beauty that define this town. We’re proud to help meet Darien’s evolving housing needs while preserving the qualities that make it such a special place to call home."

The luxury apartment complex will feature units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms with dens.

In-unit amenities will include all-electric appliances, high-efficiency heat pump HVAC systems, and fully electric on-demand hot water heaters.

Community amenities will include a clubhouse, resort-style pool, co-working lounge, fitness center, yoga studio, spa and wellness area, golf simulator, and demo kitchen.

Residents will also be able to enjoy extensive green space, including a 2.5-acre nature preserve, dog run, walking trails, grilling areas, and a curated eco-park.

The residential development will have direct access to I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, and it will also be within walking distance to Metro-North stations.

There is also walkability to nearby restaurants and shops, the Darien Library, Stony Brook Park and Baker Park.

"This groundbreaking marks an important step for Darien," said Jon First Selectman Zagrodzky in an announcement. "I’m delighted to see a modern, high-quality community taking shape that will enhance the town for years to come."

The project was made possible after the Darien Planning & Zoning Commission in 2024 granted approval to rezone the property from the Designed Office Zone to the Designed Office Multifamily Residential Overlay Zone (DOMR).

The property was previously owned by the Nielsen Company.

In 2024, Jerry Nielsen, president of The Nielsen Company, talked about the genesis of the project during a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.

"Looking at the office market for the past 15 years, there's been a decline. We decided it's time to redevelop," he said. "We need more diverse housing in this town. I've grown up here and I've seen people go from empty-nesters to New Canaan, or to other towns because they don't have the type of housing they need."