In the Region/Connecticut; Varied Housing Enclave in Historic Area in Norwalk

"Mr. Brown, general partner of RBA Properties, a Norwalk-based real estate development and rental company, paid $1 million to acquire the 1.2-acre property and buildings that now make up Haviland Gates. The parcel had previously been approved as a 26-unit condominium development called Victoria Gardens, but the developer went bankrupt, Mr. Brown said, and he bought it in receivership from the F.D.I.C. two years ago.

''We didn't like the design,'' he said, ''and in carrying out the redesign of the entire project by Ray Sullivan, we bought the old house on the property and a house on Elizabeth Street that we dismantled rather than demolish, for future use elsewhere.'' His company paid $15,000 of the $75,000 cost to the city for moving the Wolfe house to its new site. The estimated cost of the entire project is around $7.5 million.

Timothy T. Sheehan, executive director of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, calls Haviland Gates ''a quality development, improving the neighborhood and just what we're looking for -- appropriate integration of the new and the historic.''

Michael Greene, Norwalk's planning and zoning director, said: ''From the city's point of view, Keith is creating more housing where people can walk to shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, the Maritime Aquarium and the waterfront, and the train station. It's important that people feel comfortable walking to and from the station.''

Two of the most ardent supporters in promoting the relocation of the house were Todd Bryant, president of the Norwalk Preservation Trust, and Dale Mayer, granddaughter of Dr. Wolfe. ''He died in 1939,'' Ms. Mayer said, ''and my grandmother had to sell the house in spite of trying to make ends meet by opening a tearoom in the living room.'' Dr. Wolfe is still remembered as doctor to the poor and underprivileged, from whom he received chickens and other homely gifts in kind for his services.

Keith Brown's partners are his father, R. Donald Brown, and his brother-in-law, Jay M. Condon -- all dedicated to coaxing every last piece of molding, railing, decorative carving, bannister and newel post in the old houses back to life, inside and out. Their subsidiary, Condon Brown Builders, is erecting the new town houses. To keep the new construction compatible, all exteriors are wood siding -- an innovation in the age of vinyl.