Co-op High School

Co-op High School was built in 2009 for $66 million, part of the City's broad initiative to invest in new school buildings. Designed by noted local architect Cesar Pelli, it is a composition in red brick and large glass windows. The entrance at the corner of College and Crown Street is set back from the street with a large overhanging room that is often used as a dance studio.

Though Co-op High School is a relatively new building, this has been a very active site over the years:

1913: Barbato Nick Shoemaker and Chong Charlie laundry occupied 232 Crown St., and Belden Ella M. Boarding house occupied 236 Crown St.

1915: The ownership of 230-234 Crown St. changed to the Hiram Building 1910s and 1920s: there was a rubber tire store, a tailor, a laundry, and a grocer.

1925: the Hiram Market Company was established in this space, but it is unclear what they were.

1930s-1960s: the area was often vacant or had undocumented usage. Hiram still owned it, but during that time, only a credit agency was listed in the New Haven directory.

1970: Radio Shack moved in to 232 Crown St. 1981: the New Haven City Crown St. Garage was established in 232 Crown St., while Chef’s Corner Restaurant rented out 236 Crown St. from Hiram.

1993: Hiram is no longer recorded as the owner. Instead, Bahama Bobs, Challenge New Haven, Natural Restoration Inc., and Spanky’s Restaurant took up the space.

1998: Polly Estas Classic Dance Club joined the variety of small businesses in the area. Right before the Co-op High School was built, there was a parking lot, garage and warehouse called Charlie’s Tire, a vacant dry cleaner, Villa del Sol restaurant, and Image nightclub in this area. They were all bought out and demolished to build the high school in 2009, a project that cost $66 million.

2009: Co-op High School was built

234 Crown Street occupies the entire block and faces several other large-scale structures, like the "Dwell" apartments across College Street and the Crown Street Garage.