In 1980 the Aetna Life and Casualty Co. committed to a series of major facility expansions and improvements. The company owned property, consisting of a complex of turn-of-the-century mill buildings and a 1960’s “spec” office building were in poor condition, and were located in a neighborhood grappling with prolonged disinvestment.

What started as an experiment to reclaim one of these buildings for contemporary office use ended as the renovation of some 400,000 square feet of space for office use and supporting amenities, a new floor for executive offices, new kitchen and dining facilities, and the renovation of a pump house as a central power plant. This included the introduction of an extensive under floor power distribution system, new HVAC system, an energy efficient building envelope, the interconnection of various buildings for fluid access and mobility within the complex and major site improvements. The facility is designed to house 1500 employees and has a cafeteria facility seating 600 persons, along with supporting amenities such as locker rooms and a “club store”.

The renovation of the complex also achieved important urban planning objectives of upgrading and bringing new life and vitality to this Hartford neighborhood.

Aetna Capitol Avenue Complex
Hartford, Connecticut
Aetna Life and Casualty
Completed 1984