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Avner Krohn, Brian Zelman and Richard and Zach Korris — who together own the two existing buildings as Farmington Avenue Acquisitions LLC — submitted plans to town officials on Friday outlining a 48-unit structure that would be put up at what is now 920 and 924 Farmington Ave., near the Blue Back Square shopping center. “If approved, this new community will offer residents convenient, walkable access to a wide range of services — restaurants, shops, gyms, groceries, dry cleaners, healthcare, movies, the library and many more — just a few steps from their front door,” Krohn said.

In West Hartford, developer Avner Krohn, of New Britain-based Jasko Development, a major force in apartment construction in central Connecticut, has partnered with Brian Zelman, a principal in Zelman Real Estate, and Richard Korris, of Jaz-1 Investments on the redevelopment of 920 and 924 Farmington Ave. The two office buildings, dating back to the late 1950s and early 1960s would be replaced by a 4-story, brick-and-glass structure, with one- and two-bedroom apartments including balconies and upscale finishes, all above 10,000 square feet of commercial space. The partners say they were attracted to location because it is rare that a property becomes available so close to the town center. They also see plenty of demand, with overall rental vacancy in the town at about 3%, according to town statistics, and even tighter in the center.

The Brit, Avner Krohn’s fifth project in downtown New Britain, will have a mix of ground-floor retail, including a restaurant, and apartments above. He envisions attracting young professionals who can commute to Hartford from the CTfastrak bus station one block away. “New Britain is blessed and lucky to have access points right into the downtown — Routes 72 and 9 and the proximity to I-84,” he said.

Krohn, who’s been in the development business about 17 years, said his philosophy with a project like The Brit is to create a lifestyle for his tenants. “You’re building a community. You’re creating interaction among the tenants,” he said. “People are not just looking at coming home from work and putting their head down for the night. They may be working from home a few days a week. That’s why we’re going to have an outdoor area that’s going to be landscaped and have grills. We’ll have a pet spa.”

Project by Jasko and partners Zelman Real Estate and Beechwood Forest Group meets growing need for retail, restaurants, office, medical services, and lifestyle amenities

Avner Krohn describes Jasko Developments multi-family and multi-use projects in Bloomfield, New Britain and East Hartford CT.
Photo by Mark Mirko

The East Hartford Town Council authorized a purchase and sale agreement with Jasko Development and Zelman Real Estate for the site of the demolished Showcase Cinemas multiplex in East Hartford. The vote does not constitute a sale itself, and Jasko principal Avner Krohn and partners will proceed with developing plans for the East Hartford Town Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Demolition of the vacant Burritt bank complex in downtown New Britain is slated to start today, as developer Avner Krohn moves forward with plans to eventually construct a six-story mixed-use apartment building at the site.

According to Krohn, “The Brit” will include 107 apartment units and 5,600 square feet of ground-floor retail space that will house one or two restaurants. Aimed mainly at renters in their 20s and early 30s, the building will feature extensive outdoor spaces, with gardens and street art murals on exterior walls, he said, in addition to a fifth-floor outdoor area for tenants that will overlook Main Street.

“It will be an urban oasis in the epicenter of downtown,” Krohn said.

The building is also expected to benefit from its proximity to a CTfastrak station, and from investments the city has made in making the downtown more walkable, Krohn added.

Avner Krohn, chairman and CEO of Jasko Development, has acquired, developed and sold numerous buildings in New Britain and other Hartford-area communities since the New York native began investing here 15 years ago.

By Matt Pilon

Developers Avner Krohn and Brian Zelman are set to break ground this spring on a 111-unit upscale apartment complex on Jolley Drive in Bloomfield.

“It’s not a massive building, it has kind of a boutique hotel feel,” said Krohn, who has been one of New Britain’s more active developers in recent years. Krohn and Zelman revealed that Wash Brook will offer six different unit layouts at market rates, ranging from studios up to three-bedrooms and will target young professionals and empty-nesters alike. There will be a gym, yoga studio, pool, pet grooming stations, golf and sports simulator, bicycle storage, shared office area, covered parking ports, electric vehicle chargers, a smart door access system, and other amenities. “I don’t think you can build 111 units that are higher end and not have those things or else your competition knocks you out,” Zelman said of the planned amenities. “It’s kind of a given that you have to have them.”

The two hope that when units begin leasing by the summer or fall of 2022 the pandemic will be in the rearview mirror.