Developers who transformed old Norwich school want to help the community
Ward 5 Alderman David Zieno, Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike, Principal Engineering and Design Owners Michael O’Reilly, George Laiskos, and Dan O’Reilly, along with Gabby Blenis, Carolyn O’Reilly, Liam O’Reilly, and Giuliana O’Reilly at the grand opening of the new apartment building at 125 East Main Street. (Frank Speziale photo)
NORWICH – Two local developers who have helped make several improvements in the surrounding area recently renovated an old school building in Norwich and turned it into working class apartments.
The old ward school at 125 East Main Street is now home to several working class professionals in newly renovated apartments. The transition and long-term investment needed to make that change one worth making represents the company’s dedication to the local community.
The building had been unused for many years. Engineers Mike and Dan O’Reilly, both of Norwich, have become experts at overcoming the sometimes monumental task of overhauling these unused buildings, repurposing them, getting through state regulations and local administration, and turning a vacant property into a profitable one.
The brothers created a modern apartment building, dubbed Studios East, with 10 to 12 units.
It also adds to local tax rolls and improves the overall quality of life for the area – two things the O’Reilly brother say are very important to them.
“We live here. When we talk about quality of life, we are talking about our lives too. We want our community to improve, and as a business we should be able to succeed while doing that,” said Mike.
Mike and Dan O’Reilly, founded Principle Design & Engineering, PLLC in 2015 in Norwich, and since then the brothers have completed projects for the Ommegang Brewery, Raymond Corporation, Sidney Federal Credit Union, Pathfinder Village, and the towns of Bainbridge, Greene, and Hancock, among others.
More recently, the brother’s expertise has been enlisted to aid in the construction of the New Berlin Fire Station and community center, made possible by donations from the community and Chobani.
The Ward 5 school was built in 1920 and used until 1980 by the City of Norwich. It was then occupied by Broom development until 2001, and passed into the hands of different investors until summer of 2018, when Principle Design and Engineering took it over. By April, they were cutting a ribbon welcoming residents.
“We gutted the entire building, put in all new insulation, new studs, all new drywall everywhere, it’s all brand new” said Mike. “It’s cool because all the materials have been local, so everything’s come from Curtis [Lumber], Sherwin-Williams, the electrician’s local, all the appliances are from S&S. S&S sold 10 kitchens out of the deal.”
By working with local partners, the brothers said they are able to get quick answers to questions while also supporting local businesses.
“We are glad to be a part of the community,” said Dan.
The old ward school at 125 East Main Street is now home to several working class professionals in newly renovated apartments. The transition and long-term investment needed to make that change one worth making represents the company’s dedication to the local community.
The building had been unused for many years. Engineers Mike and Dan O’Reilly, both of Norwich, have become experts at overcoming the sometimes monumental task of overhauling these unused buildings, repurposing them, getting through state regulations and local administration, and turning a vacant property into a profitable one.
The brothers created a modern apartment building, dubbed Studios East, with 10 to 12 units.
It also adds to local tax rolls and improves the overall quality of life for the area – two things the O’Reilly brother say are very important to them.
“We live here. When we talk about quality of life, we are talking about our lives too. We want our community to improve, and as a business we should be able to succeed while doing that,” said Mike.
Mike and Dan O’Reilly, founded Principle Design & Engineering, PLLC in 2015 in Norwich, and since then the brothers have completed projects for the Ommegang Brewery, Raymond Corporation, Sidney Federal Credit Union, Pathfinder Village, and the towns of Bainbridge, Greene, and Hancock, among others.
More recently, the brother’s expertise has been enlisted to aid in the construction of the New Berlin Fire Station and community center, made possible by donations from the community and Chobani.
The Ward 5 school was built in 1920 and used until 1980 by the City of Norwich. It was then occupied by Broom development until 2001, and passed into the hands of different investors until summer of 2018, when Principle Design and Engineering took it over. By April, they were cutting a ribbon welcoming residents.
“We gutted the entire building, put in all new insulation, new studs, all new drywall everywhere, it’s all brand new” said Mike. “It’s cool because all the materials have been local, so everything’s come from Curtis [Lumber], Sherwin-Williams, the electrician’s local, all the appliances are from S&S. S&S sold 10 kitchens out of the deal.”
By working with local partners, the brothers said they are able to get quick answers to questions while also supporting local businesses.
“We are glad to be a part of the community,” said Dan.
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