New Haven’s downtown core welcomed a new residential landmark on Monday as The Estelle, a 96‑unit luxury apartment building at 19 Elm St., officially opened with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony. The event was attended by Mayor Justin Elicker, Downtown/East Rock alderwoman Christine Kim, Economic Development Administrator Mike Piscitelli, and members of the Hakimian family, who own the development through EightWest, a subsidiary of the New York‑based Hakimian Organization.
Family Roots and Development History
Shawn Hakimian guided his parents, Ben and Suzy, through the new building, recalling their father’s immigration to the United States from Iran in the 1960s and the founding of the family development company. The Hakimian brothers, Jay and Shawn, along with another brother and a cousin, are the owners of EightWest, which purchased the site from an affiliate of MOD Equities for $4.85 million in August 2022. After demolishing the former Harold’s Bridal Shop in January 2023, construction began in September 2024 under the design of Kenneth Boroson Architects.
Features and Amenities
The Estelle offers a mix of studio, one‑, two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom units, all market‑rate. Rents range from $2,396 for a one‑bedroom to $4,808 for a four‑bedroom, according to the developer. Amenities include a rooftop gathering space, a gym, a golf simulator, a basketball court that will double as a yoga studio, and a 1,400‑square‑foot ground‑floor retail area. A Yemeni coffee‑shop franchise, Qahwah House, is slated to open later this year, operated by siblings Abdullah and Amina Farid, who plan to bring a modern design to the brand.
Transit‑Oriented Location
The building sits near State Street station and the future Bus Rapid Transit corridor, aligning with Mayor Elicker’s push for transit‑oriented development. He noted that more residents are choosing to live in walkable cities where a car is not essential. The Estelle’s proximity to the Lower State Street redesign project and downtown amenities underscores the city’s broader goal of adding 10,000 housing units by 2035, with 30 percent designated as affordable.In 2025, New Haven added 900 new residents, bringing the population to nearly 139,000. The city issued $26 million in building permits last year and expects another 5,800 units to be built in the pipeline.
Community Impact
Mayor Elicker praised the development, saying the city is “just hopping” and that more people want to stay and put down roots in New Haven. Alderman Kim echoed residents’ desire for an active, welcoming downtown where families can live and thrive. The inclusion of a self‑service market, planned to operate 24 hours for essentials like eggs and paper towels, aims to meet the needs of commuters, students and local workers who already call the building home.
Looking Ahead
With The Estelle now more than 50 percent leased, the Hakimian family sees the project as a model for future mixed‑use developments that combine residential space with retail and community amenities. The city’s continued focus on transit‑oriented housing and its ambitious housing pipeline suggest that downtown New Haven will see further growth in the coming years.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
