August 28, 2008

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DEAL WATCH

OFI Contract Interiors Moves For ‘Efficiency’

By Sean O’Leary

Hartford Business Journal Staff Writer

06/23/08

When most companies decide to move, they do so to get more space or to reduce their rent bill. But OFI Contract Interiors of Newington has moved purely for the sake of efficiency.

“The layout of the new space allows us to work quicker and smarter, therefore, providing better space to our clients,” said OFI President Rick Mills.

Previously located on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington, the company has moved to 12,600 square feet of previously vacant office space at 28 Garfield St. in downtown Newington. And its renovation of the building has earned OFI a Beautification Award from the Newington Chamber of Commerce.

The space is almost the exact same size as the old office, Mills said. “Without increasing OFI’s footprint, we were able to create a more efficient use of space with an open floor design…and work surfaces designed for today’s technology,” he said.

Company officials believe the new office will improve efficiency use in energy, transportation and time. For example, OFI received a rebate from Connecticut Light & Power to reduce electricity usage by 0.75 watts per square foot.

Jennifer Cook, OFI’s interior designer, said the company used florescent lighting and reduced the number of fixed ceiling light fixtures to achieve the goal.

The downtown location will help transportation needs, Mills said, because of its access to bus lines. Employees can run errands or go to restaurants within walking distance.

“The new office supports our tagline, ‘We get it done,’ and our mission,” he said.

OFI is a commercial interior provider with offices in Newington and Springfield, Mass.

 

Offices On The Move

OFI is not the only company in the area to relocate. Local brokers announced a slew of new leases recently.

The Windsor Management Co. announced four new leases near its home base of Windsor.

The Connecticut After School Network has signed for 800 square feet at 200 West Center St. in Manchester for a general office.

Environmental Fire Protection Inc. will be in 5,000 square feet at 52A Connecticut Ave. in South Windsor.

The space will be used by the company for a general office, storage of non-hazardous materials and shop space for a fire sprinkler service operation.

Also in South Windsor, Telspan Limited International has moved into 2,500 square feet at 52B Connecticut Ave. for a warehouse, distribution and an office.

The owner of the property is Connecticut Avenue Associates, part of the Mallard Crossing Business Center.

Oxford Global Resources Inc., an IT staffing company, has a new, 3,533-square-foot office at 100 Corporate Drive in Windsor.

 

East Haven Apartment Deal

The East Farm Village Apartments in East Haven have been sold for $21.15 million, according to Steven Witten and Victor Nolletti of Marcus Millichap Investment Real Estate Services in New Haven.

East Farm Village is comprised of two buildings — a 204-unit and 36-unit building — on 7.67 acres of land and the sale price per unit was $88,125.

The apartments include 168 one-bedroom units, 62 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units.

The two buildings were renovated in 1981 and encompass 231,072 square feet.

East Haven Real Estate Associates L.P. sold the property to 65 Messina Drive, LLC, which is managed by John Vigliotti of Branford.

The buyer was represented by Al Ippolito of Fason, Ippolito & Lee and Rolan Joni Young of Berchem, Moses & Devlin, P.C. and the mortgage financing was provided by NewAlliance Bank.

 

 

Sean O’Leary is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.

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