Constitution Plaza
Encyclopedia
Constitution Plaza is a large commercial mixed-use development in downtown Hartford
, Connecticut
.
It was the first substantial urban redevelopment project in Hartford and replaced a run-down, working class
, ethnic neighborhood known as Front Street. Subject to periodic flooding (before the construction of riverfront dikes and Interstate 91
) and in serious physical decline, this neighborhood was nostalgically known for its large Italian-American population and its eclectic collection of local restaurants, businesses and shops. The merit of its wholesale demolition to accommodate Constitution Plaza is still locally debated nearly five decades after the decision was made. (The name "Front Street" is so well-gilded through years of lamenting of its demise, it has been resurrected as the official project name for a large mixed-use development to be built adjacent to the new Connecticut Convention Center
complex, although this project has experienced numerous delays and has lost a number of sponsoring developer partners over the last several years.)
, this complex of office towers, commercial buildings, parking garages and a hotel covers three city blocks, and is connected together by a series of elevated pedestrian plazas and bridges.
The present state of Constitution Plaza could be considered an example of "the great-but-unfinished planning idea". Set on a gently sloping site, the design originated from the idea that the raised plaza would be set at the elevation of Hartford's Main Street shopping area, a block west of the project, and would (eventually) be connected together by overhead bridges. For various reasons, the bridges were never built. A proposed arena and convention center to be sited east of the plaza were also eliminated from the original plan and moved west of Main Street, and became today's XL Center. As a result, this vast complex sits high above the cityscape, disconnected and mostly devoid of pedestrian life except during workdays. This is also the primary reason that the plaza's original "retail court" was never successful. However, as later office tower developments occurred on adjacent blocks, particularly to the east and south, additional pedestrian bridges were built to connect them to the plaza. Most successful was the culmination of a twenty five year effort through the well-regarded Riverfront Recapture initiative. Fulfilling a long-held planning goal, Constitution Plaza is now connected to the river's edge via a new (also elevated) pedestrian space that crosses over (a vastly reconfigured) Interstate 91 to a large waterfront amphitheater and walkways up-and-down river, and then across the Connecticut River
to East Hartford
.
Constitution Plaza is a fine example of mid-twentieth century commercial design and has sustained minimal alterations. Its three largest office towers showcase varying styles of glass and spandrel panel systems, with the glass areas recently replaced with more reflective and energy efficient systems.
Of particular note is the blue-green glass, two-sided Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building
. Referred to locally as "the boat building", especially when viewed at its two bowed "corners", it is the largest and last of the plaza's original tenants and is regarded as the signature building of Constitution Plaza, and considered one of Connecticut's finest modern architectural treasures. For many years, its claim to trivia is that it was the only "two-sided building" in the world. In addition to that, the Connecticut Science Center & Conference Center is adjacent to Constitution Plaza with Adrien's landing and walkway to East Hartford, Connecticut.
The three level (abandoned in 2008 and demolished in 2009) Broadcast House building was the home of local CBS Television affiliate station, WFSB-TV, (formerly WTIC-TV) since 1962, which moved to a new building in the southern suburb of Rocky Hill
in mid 2007. The squat square structure sat mostly below plaza level, and was noted for its cantilevered waffle-like roof parapet, with a roof garden space in the center of this feature. The site is slated to house a research and development building.
Other structures include a U-shaped (former) retail court at its northern end, which has been altered with a new office complex 'piggybacked' on its eastern side. Originally it contained such upmarket specialty stores as Brentano's
bookstore and a branch of W & J Sloane furniture. Also built was a 12 story, 300 room hotel building that has been abandoned for over a decade. Originally opened as Hotel America in April 1964, it later was operated for almost twenty years as an upscale Sonesta Hotel property, then finally as a Clarion hotel before closing in the mid 1990s. (Now owned by an investment group tied to religious order, several recent renovation attempts have been thwarted, due in large part to the high asking sale price for the property.) A freestanding pavilion structure on the plaza level was programmed to be a restaurant, but is used only as office space. (This is due to city fire codes that did not allow for issuance of an occupancy permit, since the structure did not exit directly onto an actual street.)
Tying all these buildings together are well detailed, large pedestrian spaces and overstreet bridges that showcase stylish walkways and paver areas, planter beds with professionally maintained landscaping, large potted trees, a modernist clock tower, reflecting pools and fountains. The entire plaza area sits atop a 1,600-car, multi-level parking garage.
Viewed as a period design ensemble, it is a handsome if austere complex. A precursor to later megastructure
and now more integrated mixed-use complexes, its construction was heralded as the future of urban design
, but considering recent trends that emphasize more traditional streetscapes, this self-contained urban environment seems outdated. It shares its design "brotherhood" of multiple-style buildings connected by large, above-grade pedestrian spaces with two similar, but much larger renewal projects, Charles Center
in downtown Baltimore
, Maryland
, and the Prudential Center complex in Boston
, Massachusetts
, although these two developments have been significantly altered and have also experienced varying degrees of economic and planning success.
Widely viewed as a classic example of the fallibility of urban renewal, Constitution Plaza was for many years a well-celebrated aesthetic and economic success, as it stabilized the initial decline of the downtown business district, and in combination with the later XL Center complex, sparked a modest downtown revival and office building boom that began in the mid 1970s. In recent times, multiple ownerships, the demise of several of its corporate tenants, the closure of the hotel, and the severe recession of the early 1990s have called into question its long term viability.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Construction
Constitution Plaza was built for $42 million and completed in stages from 1962 to 1964. Its planning and construction was spearheaded by a committee of local corporate leaders and business interests, beginning in the late 1950s. After running into financial turmoil in its early stages, the project was eventually completed by Hartford-based Travelers Insurance Company.It was the first substantial urban redevelopment project in Hartford and replaced a run-down, working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
, ethnic neighborhood known as Front Street. Subject to periodic flooding (before the construction of riverfront dikes and Interstate 91
Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
) and in serious physical decline, this neighborhood was nostalgically known for its large Italian-American population and its eclectic collection of local restaurants, businesses and shops. The merit of its wholesale demolition to accommodate Constitution Plaza is still locally debated nearly five decades after the decision was made. (The name "Front Street" is so well-gilded through years of lamenting of its demise, it has been resurrected as the official project name for a large mixed-use development to be built adjacent to the new Connecticut Convention Center
Connecticut Convention Center
The Connecticut Convention Center is a convention center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, United States, overlooking the Connecticut River....
complex, although this project has experienced numerous delays and has lost a number of sponsoring developer partners over the last several years.)
Locale
Situated at the eastern side of Hartford's downtown area, near Connecticut's landmark Old State HouseOld State House (Hartford)
The Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut is generally believed to have been designed by noted American architect Charles Bulfinch as his first public building...
, this complex of office towers, commercial buildings, parking garages and a hotel covers three city blocks, and is connected together by a series of elevated pedestrian plazas and bridges.
The present state of Constitution Plaza could be considered an example of "the great-but-unfinished planning idea". Set on a gently sloping site, the design originated from the idea that the raised plaza would be set at the elevation of Hartford's Main Street shopping area, a block west of the project, and would (eventually) be connected together by overhead bridges. For various reasons, the bridges were never built. A proposed arena and convention center to be sited east of the plaza were also eliminated from the original plan and moved west of Main Street, and became today's XL Center. As a result, this vast complex sits high above the cityscape, disconnected and mostly devoid of pedestrian life except during workdays. This is also the primary reason that the plaza's original "retail court" was never successful. However, as later office tower developments occurred on adjacent blocks, particularly to the east and south, additional pedestrian bridges were built to connect them to the plaza. Most successful was the culmination of a twenty five year effort through the well-regarded Riverfront Recapture initiative. Fulfilling a long-held planning goal, Constitution Plaza is now connected to the river's edge via a new (also elevated) pedestrian space that crosses over (a vastly reconfigured) Interstate 91 to a large waterfront amphitheater and walkways up-and-down river, and then across the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
to East Hartford
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
.
Architecture
Of particular note is the blue-green glass, two-sided Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building
Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building
The Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Building, locally called the "Boat Building", is a notable modernist office building located on Constitution Plaza in Hartford. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the world's first two-sided building.The building was designed by...
. Referred to locally as "the boat building", especially when viewed at its two bowed "corners", it is the largest and last of the plaza's original tenants and is regarded as the signature building of Constitution Plaza, and considered one of Connecticut's finest modern architectural treasures. For many years, its claim to trivia is that it was the only "two-sided building" in the world. In addition to that, the Connecticut Science Center & Conference Center is adjacent to Constitution Plaza with Adrien's landing and walkway to East Hartford, Connecticut.
The three level (abandoned in 2008 and demolished in 2009) Broadcast House building was the home of local CBS Television affiliate station, WFSB-TV, (formerly WTIC-TV) since 1962, which moved to a new building in the southern suburb of Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Rocky Hill is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 17,966 at the 2000 census. Rocky Hill was part of Wethersfield, the neighboring town to the north, until it was independently incorporated in 1849....
in mid 2007. The squat square structure sat mostly below plaza level, and was noted for its cantilevered waffle-like roof parapet, with a roof garden space in the center of this feature. The site is slated to house a research and development building.
Other structures include a U-shaped (former) retail court at its northern end, which has been altered with a new office complex 'piggybacked' on its eastern side. Originally it contained such upmarket specialty stores as Brentano's
Brentano's
Brentano's was an American bookstore. In addition to the numerous locations in the United States, there was a Brentano's on Avenue de l'Opéra in Paris, at the same location for 114 years....
bookstore and a branch of W & J Sloane furniture. Also built was a 12 story, 300 room hotel building that has been abandoned for over a decade. Originally opened as Hotel America in April 1964, it later was operated for almost twenty years as an upscale Sonesta Hotel property, then finally as a Clarion hotel before closing in the mid 1990s. (Now owned by an investment group tied to religious order, several recent renovation attempts have been thwarted, due in large part to the high asking sale price for the property.) A freestanding pavilion structure on the plaza level was programmed to be a restaurant, but is used only as office space. (This is due to city fire codes that did not allow for issuance of an occupancy permit, since the structure did not exit directly onto an actual street.)
Tying all these buildings together are well detailed, large pedestrian spaces and overstreet bridges that showcase stylish walkways and paver areas, planter beds with professionally maintained landscaping, large potted trees, a modernist clock tower, reflecting pools and fountains. The entire plaza area sits atop a 1,600-car, multi-level parking garage.
Viewed as a period design ensemble, it is a handsome if austere complex. A precursor to later megastructure
Megastructure
A megastructure is a very large manmade object, though the limits of precisely how large this is vary considerably. Some apply the term to any especially large or tall building....
and now more integrated mixed-use complexes, its construction was heralded as the future of urban design
Urban design
Urban design concerns the arrangement, appearance and functionality of towns and cities, and in particular the shaping and uses of urban public space. It has traditionally been regarded as a disciplinary subset of urban planning, landscape architecture, or architecture and in more recent times has...
, but considering recent trends that emphasize more traditional streetscapes, this self-contained urban environment seems outdated. It shares its design "brotherhood" of multiple-style buildings connected by large, above-grade pedestrian spaces with two similar, but much larger renewal projects, Charles Center
Charles Center
Charles Center is a highrise apartment building located in Baltimore, Maryland. The building stands 385 feet/117 meters tall and contains 30 floors. The building was constructed in 1969 by developers Conklin + Rossant....
in downtown Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and the Prudential Center complex in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, although these two developments have been significantly altered and have also experienced varying degrees of economic and planning success.
Widely viewed as a classic example of the fallibility of urban renewal, Constitution Plaza was for many years a well-celebrated aesthetic and economic success, as it stabilized the initial decline of the downtown business district, and in combination with the later XL Center complex, sparked a modest downtown revival and office building boom that began in the mid 1970s. In recent times, multiple ownerships, the demise of several of its corporate tenants, the closure of the hotel, and the severe recession of the early 1990s have called into question its long term viability.