The G. Fox department store building, at 960 Main Street, was one of downtown Hartford's most famous retail attractions throughout most of the 20th century. The store closed in the early 1990's and the structure remained mostly vacant for some years until the State decided to renovate the property as the new home of Capital Community College. The renovation also includes retail and other tenants funded by a private developer. The college and retail has invigorated a key downtown property with improvements, people, and the restoration of historic Main Street architecture.
- The State of Connecticut invested $60-million in the project, which consolidated the Flatbush Avenue and Woodland Street campuses of Capital Community College to a signature downtown address.
- The project was developed by the Connecticut Department of Public Works in consultation with the Board of Trustees of Capital Community College.
- The consolidation created a state-of-the-art learning center integrating a variety of degrees and technical programs and encourages collaboration with neighboring businesses and the community.
- The new campus is served by a larger, modern, secure, parking facility across Market Street at the rear of the building, and a special loading area for students using the improved on-campus daycare facility.
Great care was taken to preserve high quality art deco touches within the historic G. Fox building. Architectural elements such as the ornamental staircase leading from the Main Street floor to a mezzanine level were set aside for restoration.
