Ironstate Breaks Ground in CT

By Jeffrey Steele

Stamford Urby, a development backers feel will transform rental housing in downtown Stamford, Conn., has broken ground and is now under construction.

When complete, the 11-building, 650-apartment community will be situated on a 4.3-acre site on the corner of Greyrock Place and Tresser Boulevard. The first phase of Stamford Urby will consist of nine buildings, collectively housing 464 rental apartments.

Stamford Urby is the work of Hoboken, N.J.-based project developer Ironstate Development Co., along with joint venture partner Brookfield Property Group and the Mayor of Stamford, David Martin. This will be the fourth Urby development, with other properties in Staten Island, N.Y., and Jersey City and Harrison, N.J.

To be completed in two phases, Stamford Urby is designed in a square shape to convey its enormous scope. Ten of the 11 residential buildings will be linked on the outside and at the heart will be one building that bumps out into the middle.

Industrial chic

The architecture’s metal and glass warehouse style, with large windows offering abundant light, is an homage of sorts to Stamford’s industrial past. 

“Stamford and this location in particular have everything we look for when scouting new Urby locations,” said Ironstate president David Barry. Like other New York-New Jersey Urby settings, it offers a vibrant economy very alluring to young professionals, he said.

“Urby’s proximity to the waterfront, walkability and access to mass transit will introduce a new lifestyle that hasn’t been seen in the Stamford residential market,” he added.

Stamford mayor David Martin expressed the city’s excitement at garnering a new Urby residential property, following the successful projects elsewhere. “This is an important project for Stamford. . . The planning for development on this site began several decades ago,” he said. “My administration has worked hard to move this project along. And we are happy we are now filling the infamous ‘hole in the ground.’”

Open-air eatery

Stamford Urby will offer smartly-designed studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Its shared communal spaces will spur natural opportunities for meetings and interactions among neighbors. The apartments themselves are characterized by sizable layouts, high ceilings, quality finishes in kitchens and bathrooms and in-unit washer-dryers.

Future residents will enjoy smart technology system-enabled keyless entry into both the building and their apartments. Among the amenities will be a gym, landscaped courtyard with fire pits and saltwater swimming pool, and a communal kitchen designed to promote neighbor-to-neighbor meetings and interaction. The Urby Kitchen will be a communal chef’s kitchen ideal for hosting culinary classes, wine tastings and events staged by local business owners, including pop-up diners.

As well, Stamford Urby will offer a café with outdoor seating that will be positioned at the entryway into the building and will be open to the public.

Some 550 parking spots will be made available to apartment residents.