Norwalk–Wilton Border Sees Boom in Development

When residents think about new construction and development in Norwalk, many think of the work taking place around the train station or along the West Avenue–Wall Street corridor. But the north end of the city—and into neighboring Wilton—is seeing a burst of new developments and investments. 

Let’s explore some of the planned projects in this area.

iPark Norwalk–Wilton

The iPark center, which is currently home to an LA Fitness and multiple medical offices, will soon also be home to a brand new hotel on the Wilton side and 132 apartments on the Norwalk side. 

According to the application, which was approved in 2021, all of the units will be studios and one-bedrooms.

“This is really akin to ‘workforce housing,’ and many of the people who will live here are already working or visiting the site,” a letter from Lynne Ward, an executive with the company, reads. She added that the housing will help make it a “more fun community.” 

The Norwalk project was back before the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission to receive a one-year extension of time to start construction. 

“The parking garage which is being constructed on the Wilton portion of the property between the LA fitness and the warehouse—[it] took a bit longer than anticipated due to some delays with electrical and elevator equipment,” Lauren Calabria, a representative for the company, told the commission. 

She also noted that the iPark team had lost “one of the founders” Joseph Cotter in 2024 who headed the construction and that his death “caused some reconfiguration internally,” but now the team was “ready to see this multifamily building go forward.” 

The site, which crosses into Wilton, will also feature a 120-room hotel on the Wilton side. That project, which is the first hotel in the town, was approved in 2023.

Wilton Development 

Wilton, a town of more than 18,000, has seen an increase in development over the past few years. According to Good Morning Wilton, about 900 apartments have been approved in the town recently, with many of those located near the Norwalk border. 

Just under 500 of those units will be along Route 7, a few miles up the road from Norwalk. Route 7 is home to many name-brand businesses, like Walmart, Chipotle, and Michaels, as well as more local shops like Uncle Leo’s Cafe. In addition there are many medical offices and professional offices, particularly ASML. ASML is a semiconductor company, and its Wilton office is its “largest research and development and manufacturing site in the U.S.,” and is home to more than 3,000 employees. 

Located across Route 7 from ASML is a new project that would bring 93 townhouses to the area at 64 Danbury Road. According to plans from the developer, the units will feature a “modernized colonial” design, and be spread across 8 buildings. There will also be a pool, courts for basketball and volleyball, and a dog park. The project was approved in 2024 

Slightly north of ASML is a 208-unit project at 131 Danbury Road, which was also approved in 2024. The development will feature 95 one-bedroom units, 105 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units.

And finally, just one site up the road at 141 Danbury Road, is Riverside Wilton. This 173-unit apartment building was approved in November 2021 and is now leasing. The site features 44 one-bedroom units, 113 two-bedroom units, and 13 three-bedroom units.

Norwalk–Wilton Connections

In addition to the developments, both Norwalk and Wilton will be connected even further with some infrastructure investments in the area. 

Norwalk received a $1.5 million state grant to help fund a new portion of the Norwalk River Valley Trail that will link Norwalk to Wilton. This section will run from Glover Avenue, go underneath Grist Mill Road—along the Danbury branch—and connect to the existing WilWalk section of trail that exists in Wilton.