274 replies to this topic

[ConnMan]

The owner of a Middletown-based company has bought the WFSB-Channel 3 Broadcast House at the heart of Hartford's Constitution Plaza and says he plans to demolish the now-vacant structure and erect a 100,000-square-foot "tech building."

"I have benefited from Hartford. My first job as a young engineer was in a Hartford firm," said Abul Islam, owner of AI Engineers Inc. "Now I want to come back to Hartford … to help revitalize the city through technical and engineering education."

In an all-cash deal filed with the city Monday, WFSB's owner, Meredith Corp., sold the property to Islam for $700,000 — $1 million below its earlier list price. Islam's Middletown company is a planning, engineering, and construction firm.

"It's a buyer's market," said Mayor Eddie A. Perez Monday. "That's when you're supposed to buy real estate, so these guys are smart to buy low."

The hallmark building was built in 1961 and was hailed as a marvel of modern architecture and technology, the first structure to be completed on Constitution Plaza after the razing of the Front Street neighborhood.

But WFSB eventually outgrew the facility, and moved last year to a new, $25 million home in Rocky Hill. Left behind was an outdated, run-down facility, which, configured as a broadcast center, threatened to make it hard to convert for a different use.

That's one reason the initial asking price came down, said Klarn DePalma , WFSB's general manager. The 80,000-square-foot building's assessed value has gone from $3.3 million in 2005 to $2.8 million in 2006 to $2.3 million in 2007, city records show.

Other factors for the lower price include the cost of construction, DePalma said.

That said, he's glad the sale is done.

"It's exciting, but it's disappointing," DePalma said. "It was a building we lived in and operated in for so long. … It served us well for a long time."

Perez said he plans to meet with the building's new owners soon. Mark McGovern, the city's acting director of development services, said the city is in the early stages of a redevelopment plan that would include the Broadcast House and the long-vacant, adjacent Clarion Hotel — a plan that would call for the city to use eminent domain to seize the hotel property. Its current owner, the Maharishi Global Development Fund, has been difficult to negotiate with, city officials and developers have said.

Such a plan won't be ready until the fall, at the earliest, McGovern said.

"We're going to still try and purchase or condemn the hotel building," McGovern said. "But now it appears as though there's not a need for the city to buy the Broadcast House."

Islam said he plans to bring his company from Middletown to Hartford in 2010 and occupy 30,000 square feet of the planned new building. He'll lease the rest as office space, and said he'll try to open the building to Hartford students interested in engineering.

"I want to connect [my engineering] experience and bring it over to the city of Hartford school system, and help a little bit towards workforce development," Islam said. "To create more tech-oriented people right out of high school."

[DanielW]

Well.... its not bad as news stories go...

Introductions are in order -- My name is Dan Whittemore, an Associate Vice President at AI Engineers and, right now, one of the leads for this project.  Yes, this is for real.  

I've been waiting quite a while for this story to break, as I've been lurking here for quite a long while.  I'm a big fan of a number of the active posters here - and we've made note of what many of you have been saying.

We are not a developer.  We are a medium-sized, locally based engineering firm that thinks that, despite our size, we can make a difference.  And, while I can't say too much right now, bigger news is still on the way.  Stay tuned - we're aiming to make a one-of-a-kind building that every citizen of Hartford can be proud of.

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

[robm324]

Help me out....Generally speaking...how tall might a 100,000 sq. ft. building be in this sized footprint?

Been away from the board for a while....but glad to be back posting, btw.

[grock]

Dan,

How tall will the building be?

[DanielW]

grock, on Jul 22 2008, 12:00 AM, said:

Dan,

How tall will the building be?

It really is too soon to say.  While we have some broad outlining goals, this building is still in the early phases of development  Truth be told, our hand has been forced somewhat by the Courant article.  

At this stage, everything you have read regarding the building, including the 100,000 SF number, is not set in stone.  We are working hard in finalize all of this to give eveyone a better picture of our vision for this location, including the all important render.  Please stay tuned...

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

[The Voice of Reason]

DanielW, on Jul 21 2008, 10:54 PM, said:

Well.... its not bad as news stories go...

Introductions are in order -- My name is Dan Whittemore, an Associate Vice President at AI Engineers and, right now, one of the leads for this project. Yes, this is for real.

I've been waiting quite a while for this story to break, as I've been lurking here for quite a long while. I'm a big fan of a number of the active posters here - and we've made note of what many of you have been saying.

We are not a developer. We are a medium-sized, locally based engineering firm that thinks that, despite our size, we can make a difference. And, while I can't say too much right now, bigger news is still on the way. Stay tuned - we're aiming to make a one-of-a-kind building that every citizen of Hartford can be proud of
Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

I can only say thank you for making your business decision a personal one.

Welcome.... A big welcome to the board!

Cheers!

[Chessplayer]

DanielW, on Jul 21 2008, 10:54 PM, said:

Well.... its not bad as news stories go...

Introductions are in order -- My name is Dan Whittemore, an Associate Vice President at AI Engineers and, right now, one of the leads for this project.  Yes, this is for real.  

I've been waiting quite a while for this story to break, as I've been lurking here for quite a long while.  I'm a big fan of a number of the active posters here - and we've made note of what many of you have been saying.

We are not a developer.  We are a medium-sized, locally based engineering firm that thinks that, despite our size, we can make a difference.  And, while I can't say too much right now, bigger news is still on the way.  Stay tuned - we're aiming to make a one-of-a-kind building that every citizen of Hartford can be proud of.

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

Welcome to the boards; insider knowledge and perspective is always greatly appreciated.  The addition of a company headquarters is always the best kind of news and the prospect of a "one-of-a-kind" building (and demolition of a blighted one) makes it all the sweeter.

Edited by Chessplayer, 21 July 2008 - 11:25 PM.

[The Voice of Reason]

robm324, on Jul 21 2008, 10:59 PM, said:

Help me out....Generally speaking...how tall might a 100,000 sq. ft. building be in this sized footprint?

Been away from the board for a while....but glad to be back posting, btw.

The existing building is 80,000 so not much bigger than what is there now.  Another way to look at it is that the building I work in has 18,000 sf floor plates.  but like he said who knows what the design and or final sq will be.  This is extremely exciting news.  I hope that the local government does not find a way to mess this up.

[DanielW]

Chessplayer, on Jul 22 2008, 01:19 AM, said:

Welcome to the boards; insider knowledge and perspective is always greatly appreciated. The addition of a company headquarters is always the best kind of news and the prospect of a "one-of-a-kind" building (and demolition of a blighted one) makes it all the sweeter.

Well -- the insider knowledge seemed only fair as I've been (unknowingly!) rummaging through all of your heads for so long now...

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

[Chessplayer]

I really don't care about the height.  I'd love to see something as unique as the Phoenix Building; given that this is an engineering firm perhaps it'll be a LEED gold/platinum building?  Incorporating conservation into design can make a structure quite striking.  I also hope the ground floor is inviting; office or not it should function within the urban context - something the Phoenix Building (for all its architectural merit) fails at.

[drc72]

This is awesome news!!!!!!!! I hope it's a tall tower, but if not I'm sure whatever is developed will help Hartford immensely.

[HartfordTycoon]

Terrific News! Thanks, DanielW and welcome to UP!

[Luca Brasi]

This really is great news. I also like the idea that the city is actively trying to either condemn or take the Clarion Hotel by ED. I like that the city has a redevelopment plan.

What a great addition to Constitution Plaza. The city needs more people like AI.

[HartfordTycoon]

Here is AI's website. Undoubtedly a great corporate addition to Downtown Hartford.

AI Engineers Inc. Website

[Chessplayer]

Luca Brasi, on Jul 22 2008, 12:12 PM, said:

I also like the idea that the city is actively trying to either condemn or take the Clarion Hotel by ED. I like that the city has a redevelopment plan.

They've been talking about condemning using ED for the Clarion Hotel for years.  Don't put too much stock into it happening any time soon.

[Luca Brasi]

Chessplayer, on Jul 22 2008, 01:10 PM, said:

They've been talking about condemning using ED for the Clarion Hotel for years.  Don't put too much stock into it happening any time soon.

I'm very familiar with the Clarion situation... I however did not know that the city had an actual redevelopment plan for the area.

[DanielW]

Chessplayer, on Jul 22 2008, 01:41 AM, said:

I really don't care about the height. I'd love to see something as unique as the Phoenix Building; given that this is an engineering firm perhaps it'll be a LEED gold/platinum building? Incorporating conservation into design can make a structure quite striking. I also hope the ground floor is inviting; office or not it should function within the urban context - something the Phoenix Building (for all its architectural merit) fails at.

Did you see the press release on our website?  Again, I have no official word, but there are a few clues sprinkled in there as to what we're thinking.

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

Edited by DanielW, 22 July 2008 - 03:55 PM.

[MadVlad]

I'm assuming that the new building won't be much higher than Broadcast House due to only a 25% increase in square footage, and also assuming a better use of space.  Personally, I think it would be great to have a 10 story building with a 600ft space needle on top (just kidding, kinda).  Welcome to the boards Daniel, have at it....

[Chessplayer]

DanielW, on Jul 22 2008, 04:54 PM, said:

Did you see the press release on our website?  Again, I have no official word, but there are a few clues sprinkled in there as to what we're thinking.

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

Quote

“My goal is to move AI Engineers corporate office into a one-of-a-kind structure in downtown Hartford,” said Islam. “I envision a facility with strong social, economic and sustainable features that will both impact Hartford and the surrounding communities.”

Sounds promising .

[The Voice of Reason]

DanielW, on Jul 22 2008, 03:54 PM, said:

Did you see the press release on our website? Again, I have no official word, but there are a few clues sprinkled in there as to what we're thinking.

Dan Whittemore
AI Engineers, Inc.

Dan, I am not sure you know the answer to this, but I think it worth asking.

with this as my preface:
It is my opinion that a new office building in Hartford would generate significant interest from the existing office tennants. and even pull from the burbs.  We have had no new offices in this city in decades, and it is this reason many potential tennants choose new construction in the burbs.  

I wonder, if "you" would be finalizing design before shopping the space around, or will you be shopping the space around before you finalize the design.  

Meaning that if someone is interested in a decent sized chunk of space would you build larger than 100k?  how much larger?

I ask partially due to my thoughts that there is a demand for LEED buildings in Hartford and also Trevelers just across the street is leasing space like crazy.


<LI>Mr. Michael Sherber, PE, LEED-AP, has recently joined AI Engineers, Inc. as the Director of Facilities to oversee all mechanical, electrical and plumbing projects. He has over 20 years of experience as an Engineer-In-Charge/Project Manager on various facilities projects and is the first engineer in the State of Connecticut to be a LEED-Accredited Professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). We are glad to welcome him to our team!