Closed and abandoned for over 40 years, the Mill [at Middletown] was part of the thriving manufacturing industry in Middletown. The mill property itself is situated along a partially overbuilt creek and near an unused rail line, in a line of manufacturing properties. Dilapidated and worn after disuse, the masonry shell was warped and bowed when purchased and an extensive renovation required reinforcement with a new steel skeleton.
The existing 3 story masonry and brick mill building was transformed into a 27-unit affordable rental apartment building with 1,300 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor for Fresh Start Cafe, a culinary arts job training program which will occupy the space in 2017. A 4-story, 15-unit addition is attached by a series of transparent glass hallways. The addition is clad in siding which reflects the typical surrounding single family residence and contains a laundry room, elevator and trash compactor room. A one-story brick annex building was re-purposed into a 1,200 square foot community space with a pantry and tenant storage space. On-site parking spaces [71] are on grade behind the buildings, out of view from Mill Street. The project qualified for the NYSERDA MPP Program.
The Mill at Middletown is within a quarter mile of the Middletown city center. Low-rise residential neighborhoods lie west and north of the new development and the east is predominantly commercial sites.
Through its transformation the site contributes affordable and supportive housing to the evolving town and creates a monumental historic destination in the preservation of an essential part of Middletown's history.
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