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Neighborhoods

We’d like to introduce you to Norwalk’s neighborhoods and some of the unique aspects and attributes you’ll find there. 

Click on the individual neighborhood colors on the map to learn about each one.

West Norwalk Cranbury Wall/West/ Historic District East Norwalk South Norwalk Rowayton

West Norwalk

Largely a residential district and a major waterway of the Five Mile River, West Norwalk borders the towns of Darien and New Canaan and is home to the City’s Community College, and small to large commercial businesses. The West Norwalk neighborhood contains Norwalk Hospital, which is a branch of Nuvance Health, and is one of Norwalk's largest employers. There continues to be significant growth in this district due to hospital expansions, larger commercial and retail growth, such as Wegmans, and residential units near larger areas of commercial activity. One of Norwalk's Class A Office Parks, at 800 Connecticut Avenue, is also within this district and houses Bookings Holdings, the world's leading provider of online travel and related services, and the parent company of Priceline, Open Table, and Kayak.

Cranbury

Rich in history and pastoral scenery, the Cranbury section of Norwalk is located in the northeast corner of the city, bordering the towns of Wilton and Westport. The neighborhood houses the largest corporate park in Fairfield County, Merritt 7, which offers the amenities and vibrancy of an urban setting easily accessible to anywhere in the Tri-State area, along with the serenity and community of the Cranbury neighborhood. Merritt 7 offers over 1,000,000 square feet of space and is home to many of Norwalk's largest employers, including Datto, Xerox, and Frontier. Merritt 7 will also soon have its own new dedicated Metro-North train station on site that will be directly accessible from the Park. The new station is scheduled for completion in 2022 and will offer door-to-door transportation to Grand Central Terminal, providing direct access from NYC and creating an ideal destination for either a headquarters relocation or the opening of a satellite office.

Wall/West/ Historic District

The Norwalk Green section of the City is a diverse, centrally located urban neighborhood that offers a unique combination of distinctive and historic architecture surrounding a beautiful, two-acre park. It’s one of the last remaining town square parks in New England and serves as the heart of the local community. This neighborhood also holds a majority of Norwalk civic resources, such as the Norwalk Historical Society, Norwalk City Hall, and the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. While largely residential in nature, commercial activity exists in small Class B office spaces and within converted multi-residential properties.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic District neighborhood is a close-knit community that nurtures the arts, celebrates its historic landmarks, and continues to evolve. This neighborhood mixes the old with the new, and has a flavor for every taste. This neighborhood is home to many expanding establishments and developments, such as Juice Media, the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, the Norwalk Public Library and the Waypointe development. Though largely commercial in nature, Wall Street houses a majority of Norwalk's service-related and creative businesses and attractions. These include the Wall Street Theater, the Norwalk Art Park, and Factory Underground. This area is slated for significant improvements and growth over the next few years through both private and public investment. The City of Norwalk will invest over $10 million dollars to improve the neighborhood, making it more navigable and pleasant for both residents, visitors, clients, and customers.

East Norwalk

A shoreline community, East Norwalk is one of the earliest settlements to be established in Norwalk and is well-known for its charming residential neighborhoods and beautiful beaches. Smaller commercial establishments are housed in East Norwalk although there are significant residential and commercial developments occurring around the East Norwalk Train Station, which gives direct access to Grand Central Station. Additionally there are plans in place for smart growth in the area that both preserves and enhances the existing neighborhood. East Norwalk also has the unique circumstance of having an independent power provider. As a result, electricity in this neighborhood is more reliable and cost effective.

South Norwalk

Formerly called “Old Well,” SoNo is a historic boat harbor where coastal trade was conducted. Today, SoNo is a vibrant dining, retail, and entertainment destination with a growing business and residential community. While referred to commonly as Restaurant Row, South Norwalk houses a variety of uses and has seen the most growth over the last decade. The neighborhood has added over 3,000 residential units and over 100,000 square feet of commercial space. This area continues to thrive and has seen most of its growth near Washington Street and the South Norwalk Train Station that has direct service to Grand Central. In addition to its mixed-use downtown nature, SoNo is also home to 50 Washington Street, Norwalk's only urban Class A office space that is outfitted with a rooftop lounge, a game room, a fitness center, and a full service café. SoNo also has the benefit of having an independent water and power provider, which allows for more reliability and lower overhead costs.

Rowayton

Spanning two square miles, Rowayton is a small coastal village just 40 miles from New York City. The town has a rich oystering and lobstering history and was a popular homestead for both fishermen and captains. A coastal village and haven for boaters and beach-goers, Rowayton is filled with quaint shops, neighborhood restaurants, family parks, and an active calendar of community events. Be sure not to miss the annual Shakespeare on the Sound production, performed on the waterfront at Pinkney Park. The neighborhood is also home to many company CEOs who enjoy South Norwalk's closeness but Rowayton's quaintness.