GE Unit Moving to New Office in Stamford

July 22, 2010 - By Richard Lee, Staff Writer, The Advocate

One of General Electric Co.'s major divisions in Stamford is making a move, but the good news is that it is remaining in the city.

GE Asset Management is relocating from 3001 Summer St., a building owned by Stamford Square Associates and managed by Albert B. Ashforth Inc., to 1600 Summer St., owned by an affiliate of Benenson Capital Partners in New York City. The GE unit will occupy 158,000 square feet on the first four floors, a space formerly occupied by Stamford-based Purdue Pharma. [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.] 

Choyce Peterson Negotiates 11,765-Square-Foot Lease for WTP Advisors

July 16, 2010 - Westchester Rising

Choyce Peterson, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage and consulting firm, has announced the completion of lease negotiations for WTP Advisors, a tax and business services firm focused on complex quantitative solutions. The renewal more than tripled the company’s headquarters to 11,765 square feet at White Plains Plaza, located at One North Broadway in White Plains.

WTP Advisors chose Choyce Peterson as a commercial real estate broker for the third time since 2008 when they concluded an initial lease at the same location for 2,192 square feet. This time, Choyce Peterson negotiated an expansion of more than 7,900 square feet and a lease extension of their existing 3,800 square feet thanks to John Hannigan, principal of the company and lead broker on all three occasions.

Arrowhead Hits Railroad

July 8, 2010 - Business Briefs, Greenwich Post 

Arrowhead Mezzanine, an asset management company based in New York City, will move into a 3,825-square-foot office space at 55 Railroad Ave.

The deal was managed by the Choyce Peterson agency, which recommended an architect, construction firm and real estate attorney.

The client’s list of requirements included high-end offices within walking distance of Greenwich train station, a customized build-out, top-rate management and 24-hour security.

Choyce Peterson Negotiates New Lease for Robert H. Schaffer & Associates 

July 6, 2010 - Posted in ShorelinePlus.com

Choyce Peterson, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage and consulting firm, announced the successful completion of office-space lease negotiations on behalf of Robert H. Schaffer & Associates (RHSA, www.rhsa.com), a management consultant and leader in business development for 50 years. The new 7,651-square-foot office at 707 Summer Street in Stamford was selected after visiting available space in 12 different buildings during four tours of the city. It will support more than 25 employees and consultants.

Choyce Peterson assisted RHSA with its comprehensive requirements for a new headquarters including as much natural light as possible with lots of windows, modern high-end facilities, built-out space to reduce tenant improvement costs, and ample parking within walking distance of restaurants and shopping. The 707 Summer Street location is newly renovated with a spacious lobby, concierge and covered parking.

Schaffer to Keep Offices Downtown; From Oak to Summer: Consulting firm takes advantage of tenant's market to sign long-term lease for smaller, renovated space in Stamford

April 15, 2010 - By Richard Lee, Staff Writer, The Advocate

A venerable Stamford business consulting firm has taken advantage of the affordable rental rates and decided to remain in the city, but in a new location.

Stamford-based Robert H. Schaffer & Associates LLC is moving from 30 Oak St. to a 7,651-square-foot space at 707 Summer St., a building owned and occupied by The Ashforth Co., with the goal of occupying the property by Aug. 1. [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.]

Ashforth's 707 Summer Street 97% Occupied

June 7, 2010 - Posted in NorwalkPlus.com  

Ashforth has signed a new lease at its 707 Summer Street property in Stamford, CT. This 7,651-square-foot lease with Robert H. Schaffer & Associates, LLC (RHS&A) brings the building’s occupancy level to 97 percent. RHS&A, a 50-year-old management consulting firm will move in the beginning of August from its current location at 30 Oak Street in Stamford.

“As a firm with clients around the world, we are excited to be moving into the Ashforth building in the core of downtown. We have been here in Stamford for 50 years, and look forward to 50 more,” said Matthew McCreight, Co-Managing Partner of RHS&A. [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.] 

Priceline Staying Put in Norwalk

April 9, 2010 - By Chris Bosak, Staff Writer, The Hour

After considering its options and doing its "due diligence" to check out the commercial real estate market, online travel company Priceline.com has decided to remain in Norwalk.

ExecuNet, a network for business leaders, also decided to stay put in Norwalk.

It was announced Thursday that priceline.com signed a 69,882-square foot lease at its current home at River Park, a large office complex at 800 Connecticut Ave.

"Priceline is among the world's most recognized brand names and it offers a significant point of pride when such respected companies find a corporate address in Norwalk," Tad Diesel, Norwalk's director of marketing and business development, said. "And just as we find pride in Priceline's decision to stay at home with us, the choice sends a message that great companies find great workers and great value here in the center of Fairfield County." [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.]

Spencer Stuart Settles in at Plaza

March 16, 2010 - By Richard Lee, Staff Writer, The Advocate

It was worth the wait after RFR Realty welcomed Spencer Stuart, a global executive search consulting firm, to its property at Two Stamford Plaza, a 250,000-square-foot Class A office building at 281 Tresser Blvd. in Stamford.

Spencer Stuart, which has signed a 10-year lease, recently occupied the 24,000-square-foot space on the 14th floor after moving from the Financial Centre at 695 E. Main St.

"After an extensive search within the Stamford central business district, Spencer Stuart selected Stamford Plaza because of its proximity to the transportation center, the extensive amenities and new renovations to the property," Val Harper, senior director of Spencer Stuart, said in a statement. "In addition, RFR offered highly competitive lease terms and was able to accommodate our requirement to occupy a single, full floor." [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.]

Financial Centre Readies for New Life

March 2, 2010 - By Richard Lee, Staff Writer, The Advocate

Like a proud champion boxer fighting back after a knockdown, 695 E. Main St. in Stamford is returning to the marketplace.

The former home of General Reinsurance Corp. has been the subject of lengthy and involved proceedings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York thanks to its relationship with Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., the bankrupt shell of the once-vaunted investment bank.

Now, Lehman Brothers Holdings, formerly a lender on the sprawling 561,000-square-foot Class A office building on the south side of East Main Street, is taking ownership through an agreement between Lehman entities and entities of Security Pacific Capital Leasing Corp.

Elm Street Corp., a real estate entity of Gen Re, which last year moved out of 300,000 square feet at 695 E. Main to a smaller space at 120 Long Ridge Road in Stamford, retains ownership of the land where the building, called the Financial Centre, is located. A spokesman for Elm Street Corp. was unavailable for comment. [Choyce Peterson coverage highlighted in yellow in the Read More section.]

Negotiating Your Way to Savings on Rent

January 11, 2010 - By Anne Field, American Express OPEN Forum

Rent: For many small business owners, it may be the silver lining in the current economic downturn. Indeed, for companies looking for new space, these may be the best of times. With office vacancy rates at 16.5% for the third quarter of 2009, according to Reis Inc—and projected to go as high as 19% in 2010--cash-strapped landlords in many places around the country are willing to negotiate rock-bottom rents. Plus, if you want to renegotiate the terms of your current lease, that’s possible, too.  “The  last 18 months have been a great time to be a tenant,” says John Hannigan, founder of Choyce Peterson, a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Stamford, Ct.

Take Ryan Howard. The CEO of 20-employee Practice Fusion, which sells electronic health record systems for doctors, recently moved his San Francisco business to new 7,500 square foot office space and, he says, “We got the rent at a song.” In fact, according to Howard, the same space would have cost twice as much just two years ago. He didn’t even bother haggling because, “The price was so low out of the gate, I felt I’d be insulting him if I tried.”