Chittenden County’s Newest Neighborhood
This project transformed the former Harbor Place motel property along Shelburne Road into a modern wood‑frame residential community featuring 48 units across two buildings, connected by a shared foundation and a covered courtyard. The development totals 84,820 square feet and incorporates a podium slab constructed above a secure parking garage.
The site holds significant community history. Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) purchased the property in 2013 and operated Harbor Place for nearly a decade, providing temporary lodging for individuals experiencing homelessness. Beginning in March 2020, the motel also served a critical role in the State of Vermont’s Covid‑19 response as a quarantine and isolation facility. After acquiring the Day’s Inn in 2021 and relocating motel operations across the road, CHT partnered with Evernorth, the Town of Shelburne, and additional stakeholders to reimagine the site as a welcoming residential neighborhood.
Redevelopment efforts included a full replacement of site infrastructure, with the exception of a sewer line running through a wetland, which was preserved and rehabilitated through a lining process. The project also introduced a new access road and dedicated emergency‑vehicle routes to improve circulation and safety.
Site preparation required the demolition of five existing structures, including two containing hazardous materials that necessitated specialized abatement. Construction was completed within a constrained footprint flanked by two active projects led by separate contractors within the same neighborhood development, demanding meticulous coordination, safety planning, and phased execution.
This redevelopment marks the successful transformation of a transitional‑use property into a vibrant, long‑term residential community—advancing the mission of CHT and Evernorth to expand high‑quality, affordable housing in Vermont.
