Smejkal, 25, is one of those who have already purchased units at the former corset manufacturing plant being converted into condos by Bridgeport developer John Guedes, president of the Primrose Companies.
"I live on Howe Avenue and I've been able to see the progress every day; I have a bird's-eye view," she said, adding she hopes to be in her new place by May.
"I saw the building when it was pretty much gutted, but still felt it was right up my alley," she said of the Canal Street building on the west bank of the Housatonic River, now rechristened the Birmingham on the River. "I just love anything contemporary and I love the hardwood floors and exposed ducts and brick walls."
The Birmingham is part of a multi-million revitalization of the downtown riverfront Guedes proposed that will eventually encompass about 620 residential units and 100,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office space.
The Guedes projects, along with the growing corporate and residential empire of Robert D. Scinto, are emblematic of the sustained wave of development that has transformed this city over the last 15 to 20 years.
"We set some goals when I took office in 1991 and one of them was economic development," said Mayor Mark A. Lauretti. "Part of that was downtown revitalization and bringing private entrepreneurs
Smejkal said the cost of her Birmingham condo was also reasonable, especially since she purchased her unit during the pre-construction phase. The average sales price for units, which range from 900 square feet to 1,250 square feet, is $250,000.
"I hear some of the condos have already gone up in price," she said.
Smejkal said she's excited about moving into the Birmingham and meeting new neighbors.
Anthony Staffieri, 26, son of the Derby mayor, is one of them.
He said he was attracted to the Birmingham for a number of reasons.
"Initially, it was the location," said Staffieri, who owns Connie's Restaurant in Derby. "With the redevelopment taking place in Derby and Shelton downtowns, I felt that would be a prime area to settle in," he said.
Staffieri is getting married in September and bought a two-bedroom condominium, which he said is roomy and well-designed.
"We have everything we need in it and that was another plus," he added.
He said he's been to the Birmingham a few times and seen it in different stages.
"It's been exciting to watch it evolve," he said.
In the past few months it's been transformed from an empty shell, which was all that remained after workers gutted the structure, into dozens of New York-style loft condominiums, with exposed beams and brick that capture a turn-of-the-century feel of the one-time factory.
But it's the glass-walled atrium, open from the garden level to the top floor, that's the real eye-catcher. That's where Guedes plans to put chairs to encourage tenants to congregate and get to know one another.
During a recent tour of the nearly complete project, he also pointed to the three large 18-by-60-foot skylights in the roof allowing sunshine to wash over the interior, lending an open-air feeling.
"I knew this was what I wanted the moment I walked into the building. I wanted to build something that the middle class could afford," said Guedes, who's been in the construction field 25 years. "But I also wanted something they would enjoy. A place they would be proud to live in."
To date, he said about 66 of the 103 units have been sold.
Meanwhile, the Tilcon asphalt plant, next to the Birmingham, will be torn down and replaced with a 254-unit condominium complex called Radcliffe Park. Guedes is in the process of closing on the plant's purchase, with the former Star Pin factory next on the agenda for a makeover. The building will be converted to residential units, Guedes said.
His proposal by Guedes "is a win across the board" by not only bringing in tax revenues, but also ridding the area of blight, said Lauretti.
While vacant the Birmingham generated $4,000 in annual taxes, but once it's finished it will add $400,000 a year to the city's tax roles.
"It's good that we're not only getting revenues, but also cleaning up the area," said Alderman Stan Kudej, R-2, whose district includes downtown. "Getting rid of the asphalt plant is another plus."
Alderman Jason Perillo, R-2, who lives within walking distance of Canal Street, said there's been a "real turnabout" downtown in the past five years.
"People want to put their money there, especially in businesses, and that's good for the city," he said.
Danny Orazietti, a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, said he likes the concept of Guedes' project, and hopes it brings more people, customers in particular, into the downtown area.
Orazietti owns Downtown Danny O's on Howe Avenue.
"We all think this is a real positive venture from a business owner's perspective," added Kate Marks, chairwoman of the Shelton Economic Development Corp.'s Board of Directors and member of the Shelton Downtown Merchants Association.
"Just one building will be bringing in more than 100 new tenants," she said of the Birmingham. "And I like to think they will all be passing by my store every day." Marks owns Marks of Design on Howe Avenue.
The owners of Stockbridges, a Derby bakery that specializes in cheesecakes, said the pending residential development along Canal Street prompted their planned relocation from Whitey's Marina to Howe Avenue.
"Oh, yes, that was the biggest reason for our decision to move," said Brian Stockbridge, who owns the bakery with his wife, Lisa.
They plan to open their new store in May.
Alderman John Anglace, R-3, board president, said projects like Guedes' are important because they turn unoccupied buildings into "something of value."
"That's the kind of smart growth there is with private investment," Anglace said.
He also credits Scinto as another developer whose vision has made significant changes in the city.
"We are very fortunate to have him — he's been a great ambassador for Shelton," he said. "Some people say he gets everything he wants, but Scinto has produced and proved himself and has made us a better town, a quality town, as a result. Whatever he touches, we are proud of."
Scinto, president of R.D. Scinto, Inc., is putting the final touches on a 17-story luxury residential complex called the Renaissance in the heart of his Enterprise Corporate Park, off Bridgeport Avenue.
And, in true Scinto style, no detail is too small for his attention.
During a recent tour of a model condominium, Scinto showed how drawers in a kitchen cabinet don't slam, instead just slide back in gracefully.
Scinto also talked about the swimming pool on the roof and the marble floors in the basement's main entrance.
This newest venture, he said, will be the finest in all of Fairfield County.
"Everyone who has seen it so far has said 'wow,' " he added.
Although among his most expensive and complex projects to date, the Renaissance has been his most enjoyable, he said.
"We wanted to make something unique, something that I could be proud of, and I think we did it," Scinto said.
"I had a vision of what I wanted to build and built it," said Scinto, the city's largest taxpayer. "I tell people I'm lucky because I have two things — imagination and passion. I can imagine things and bring them to reality."
Units at the Renaissance average 2,260 square feet and will cost from $690,000 to $900,000. So far, six have been sold, said Scinto. His multi-million dollar company over the past 30 years has more than 35 properties to its credit.
While Lauretti has opposed the Renaissance — solely because of the height — he said he thought it was "a great concept" and a "winner from a financial standpoint."
He calls the city's relationship with Scinto "a good marriage."
"We're good to him and he's been good to us," he said.
In addition to the buzz downtown, the city has also seen some new commercial development in recent months, including Split Rock at the corner of Old Stratford Road and Bridgeport Avenue that includes a pharmacy and restaurant.
There's also Crown Point built by developer Jim Botti, credited with bringing the first Starbucks coffee shop to the Valley at the Bridgeport Avenue retail complex.
"I bought the property next to mine because it was vacant for about 15 years and there were blighted buildings on it," Botti said. "We cleaned it up and developed it and the town is happy to have it back on the rolls."
Among the other 20 tenants that make up the Crown Point plaza are a Wendy's fast food restaurant, a gas station and a number of commercial buildings, including a bank.
Botti said all of his tenants are doing well, and a new Japanese restaurant, Kobis, will replace Madison's, which went out of business earlier this year.
Other projects Botti is planning include a Chili's restaurant and Long Horn Steakhouse across from Ruby Tuesday's.
"We are also going to the zoning commission later this month for a Hyatt Regency Hotel," he said.
Anne M. Amato, Naugatuck Valley bureau chief, can be reached at 736-5440.
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