The former power plant is being reimagined as a public waterfront destination blending recreation, nature and heritage.
Now, the same 125-acre peninsula overlooking Long Island Sound is poised for a radically different future. A $410 million investment from Connecticut couple Austin and Allison McChord is helping transform the former industrial site into Manresa Wilds, a public-facing destination built around open space, recreation and carefully managed cultural events. For decades, a stretch of Norwalk’s waterfront was defined by smokestacks, industrial machinery and the imposing presence of a coal- and oil-burning power plant.
Plans for a hotel were removed, outdoor lighting was reduced and parking was capped at 200 spaces, with access managed through a reservation system. The decision establishes the framework under which the McChords and their development team can continue refining plans for the site. The project is expected to combine parkland with amenities including walking trails, live music, private events, boat rentals and a restaurant or brewpub. Several changes followed. The project seeks to balance public access with the site’s industrial heritage. Its redevelopment could eventually turn an inaccessible piece of Norwalk’s waterfront into a destination combining nature, education, recreation and historic architecture.