What happened to Danbury's Crowne Plaza hotel? Its 10-story building has found an entirely new purpose

For years, 18 Old Ridgebury Road in Danbury, Connecticut was an address where hotel guests checked in and checked out. Today, it is a place people can call home.

It’s fascinating how a building once built for an entirely different purpose can find a new identity. What makes the transformation even more remarkable is the possibility of calling that very place home.

The Crowne Plaza hotel in Connecticut has undergone a remarkable transformation. It is now reopening as an apartment complex named 'Innovation Studios.'


In September 2026, Greystone, a firm that provided $22.7 million in bridge financing for Innovation Studios, writes, “Innovation Studios is an adaptive reuse, former 10-story Crowne Plaza hotel at 18 Old Ridgebury Road. The property has been redeveloped into 200 apartments, comprising studio and one-bedroom residences, along with commercial and amenity space.”

This creative development was named the 2026 CoStar Impact Award winner for Multifamily Development of the Year for Westchester County/Southern Connecticut.

How did Danbury's Crowne Plaza hotel become Innovation Studios?

Innovation Studios was a 10-storey property that operated as Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was redeveloped into an apartment complex. The hotel struggled to survive in the early 2000s and was later purchased by a local developer Dan Bertram, for $8 million.

It took Bertram years to build innovation studios due to objections from Danbury leaders for their concerns that the plan was not pedestrian-friendly due to its proximity to Interstate 84, or an increase in traffic. Bertram could complete the project after city officials nodded to his plan, stating that Danbury was in desperate need of affordable housing.

Supporters of the project say it is among a handful of developments that could add hundreds of much-needed apartments to Danbury’s housing market.

What amenities does Innovation Studios offer, and how well is it connected to Danbury?

Innovation Studios offers a range of amenities, including coworking spaces, community rooms, a fitness centre, a sports court and a rooftop deck. The property also features a coffee shop, coworking facilities and a gastropub accessible to the public. It is located on Danbury’s west side; the development offers convenient access to Interstate 84, Interstate 684 and US Routes 7 and 202, connecting residents to major employment hubs, shopping destinations and essential services across Greater Danbury and Fairfield County.

FAQs

1. What happened to the Crowne Plaza hotel in Danbury, Connecticut?
   The former 10-story Crowne Plaza hotel at 18 Old Ridgebury Road was converted into Innovation Studios, a 200-unit apartment complex with commercial and shared amenity spaces.
2. Who developed Innovation Studios in Danbury?
   Innovation Studios was developed by Bright Ravens Development, led by local real estate developer Dan Bertram, who purchased the former hotel property for $8 million in 2001.
3. How much financing did Innovation Studios receive in 2026?
   On September 8, 2026, Greystone announced $22.7 million in bridge financing to refinance the property and support remaining redevelopment work and leasing activities.