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September 30, 2020

Iconic Pirelli building’s hotel transformation begins

IMAGE | CONTRIBUTED Rendering of the planned Hotel Marcel New Haven.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

While the city’s landmark Pirelli building on Sargent Drive is boarded up and empty, work officially began Wednesday to convert it into the Hotel Marcel New Haven.

Becker + Becker, an architectural company, led a groundbreaking ceremony at the 500 Sargent Drive site, which it purchased early this year.

The building is formerly the home of Pirelli-Armstrong Tire Co., and it is well-known for its unique design, which seems to defy gravity. 

"It is one of the most architecturally significant mid-century modern buildings in our country," said Bruce Becker, company president.

According to the Westport company’s website, it purposely seeks projects that are “social and environmental game-changers” and works to transform underused historic buildings.

Becker anticipates the Hotel Marcel New Haven will be finished and ready to open next summer. It will have 165 guest rooms, a restaurant, bar, gallery and meeting space. 

“It will feature wonderful views of both Long Island Sound and the New Haven skyline,” Becker said.

The hotel is designed to be environmentally friendly, with a focus on sustainability. It will not use any fossil fuels for power, and will include solar power from panels on the roof and a parking canopy array. According to Becker, it will be the first net-zero energy hotel in the country.

Liberty Bank is serving as the lead lender for the project.

Jeff Hubbard, who is Liberty’s senior vice president and commercial banking regional manager, said he, like many others who live in the region, often drives by the iconic building and sees it from the highway. 

Hubbard said he and bank officials see the potential associated with the project, “from creating jobs in New Haven to bringing visitors here.” 

The hotel will be part of the Hilton chain’s Tapestry Collection, and Chesapeake Hospitality will operate it. 

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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