Over there is where the “little pink house” was.
July 26, 2025.
Regular readers know that from time to time, we make what we call property or takings pilgrimages to the sites of famous cases. Inter alia: Kaiser Aetna, Nollan, Dolan, Loretto, Penn Central, Hadacheck, the High Line, Boomer.
Included in that are eminent domain cases of course, including Chicago Burlington, and Berman.
With the recent 20th anniversary of Kelo v. City of New London just past, we thought it appropriate to revisit the site when we were in the neighborhood to see what’s up and what “progress,” if any, New London has made in effecting those plans it claimed to have, which necessitated the taking of Susette Kelo’s “little pink house.” For Professor Gideon Kanner’s thoughts on “Eminent Domain Projects That Didn’t Work Out,” check out his final journal piece, which includes details of the post-2005 Kelo situation.
First up was a visit to the relocated Kelo House. As you may know, when the case was lost, the pink house was not demolished but rather relocated to a different New London neighborhood.
Here it is. Much different vibe in this neighborhood.
There’s a sign, in case you didn’t know.
Same street number. A nice touch.
And a reminder “Not for Sale.” 
Quietly enjoying property.
The Kelo story.
Still very pink.
One you get your reassurances that indeed, the pink house survives, it’s time to go to the more significant location, the (now-former) site of the Kelo House in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood in New London.
The Supreme Court decision might be twenty years in the past, but apparently it is still an open wound locally. In the time we were on-site taking these photos, we met two local folks.
The first asked why we were taking pictures of vacant land. When we responded “I am an eminent domain lawyer, and this is the location of what might be the most famous eminent domain case,” she said, “you mean the Kelo case?” She proceeded to give us the (accurate) history of the case, how bad it was from her perspective, and how it was a shame that New London took the land, and then did nothing with it.
Next, a passerby named Sean joined the conversation. He said he was a tenant in one of the Kelo-adjacent homes twenty years ago, and that he was thrown out of his residence as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision. He had very strong opinions, both about the taking and about what was done, and is being done now, with the land.
Where it was.
Looking across to where Pfizer was going to be.
View from the former Kelo property.
That vacant site of the Marina has recently been cleared.
View out to the Thames Rivers.
Bonus points if you pronounce “Thames” like they do in New London.
Fort Trumbull in the foreground,
river view in the background.
Down the street from the Kelo property.
Recall that Ms. Kelo was not the only owner in the case.
Historic Fort Trumbull, just across the street.
A view of the Fort Trumbull flag, from the back side of the Kelo parcel.
Well, this is new: a community rec center.
Question: what community?
Silent witness: the seagull abides.