With Great Fanfare, Construction Begins on Infinity Hall Hartford

The Greater Hartford region will soon have a new entertainment venue and restaurant now that Infinity Hall Hartford has broken ground in the Front Street development of the capital city.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, and a number of business leaders and dignitaries joined owner Dan Hincks for a ceremonial toss of the gravel on Tuesday afternoon. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards also drove down from Maine to welcome the new hall and sing a few songs.

"It's great to see a venue being born before our very eyes devoted to music and the performing arts," Edwards said before singing his classic hit "Sunshine."

In his remarks, Malloy talked about the state's decision to commit $1.3 million to the project, which is expected to draw visitors from a large swath of towns around Hartford and beyond. He also said he expected to be a frequent visitor to the hall at 32 Front Street, which is near the Connecticut Convention Center and just a few minutes from the state Capitol.

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"I guarantee you that I will get here," he said.

Infinity Hall Hartford will be somewhat larger at 500 seats than its sister venue in rural Norfolk, which has 300 seats. Both locations have a bistro.

The new hall "will include a mezzanine section that features premium seating with wait staff and full Bistro service," according to a press release. "The music hall will have flexible seating to allow for a variety of seating arrangements, including general admission/standing, cabaret and traditional theatre style. There is ample parking in two covered garages, as well as numerous open lots and street parking."

Hincks, a Farmington resident who opened Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Norfolk in 2008, talked about his excitement in bringing musicians and performers to Hartford. He also thanked sponsors and the state for their commitment to the project.

"I'd like to thank the state of Connecticut for believing in Infinity and loaning us the funds necessary to push us over the finish line," he said. "We're determined to make that investment pay off for you."

Segarra welcomed the new hall to Hartford and said he couldn't wait to see it open.

"You didn't need to convince me," he said. "As a Latino from the Caribbean, you put food and music together and your life expectancy goes up by 20 years."

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