Norwalk, CT - Real estate investment management firms Clarion Partners and Marcus Partners, today announced that a combined 77,572 square feet in leases was signed at Merritt 7 Corporate Park, the six-building, 1.4 million square foot Class–A office park in Norwalk.
Millward Brown and Merritt Hospitality both signed leases at the Park. In each transaction the landlord was represented by JoAnn Brennan-McGrath of Marcus Partners and Tom Pajolek, Ned Burns, Steve Greenbush, and Bob Caruso of CBRE.
“We are excited that Millward Brown and Merritt Hospitality have chosen to expand and extend at Merritt 7 as both are highly valued tenants,” said Margaret Egan, Senior Vice President, Clarion Partners. “The unique combination of asset quality, an extensive amenity package, central location and institutional ownership and management, have proven to be an important differentiator and the reason Merritt 7 has experienced such strong leasing velocity and is able to extend, expand and attract high-quality tenants like these two firms."
· Millward Brown, leading experts in advertising, marketing communications, media, digital and brand equity research leased an additional 13,397 square feet on the fourth floor of Building 401 -- bringing the firm's total square footage to 64,175 square feet. The new deal was inked for a nine-year lease term. Colin Reilly of CBRE represented Millward Brown in this transaction.
Recent improvements to Building 401, which now houses the Merritt 7 Security Command Center, include an extensive lobby renovation with soaring 20’ ceilings, new entry doors, refinished elevator cabs, upscale artwork and elegant seating areas and new park standard restrooms and elevator lobbies throughout.
· HEI Hotels & Resorts extended its lease for 18,578 square feet on the first floor of Building 101. The onsite hospitality service company has been a tenant at Merritt 7 since 2004. No outside real estate brokerage was used in the negotiations.
"We couldn't be happier with the improvements made to the property and specifically our building and the dining facilities," said Anthony Rutledge, CEO and Managing Partner of HEI Hotels & Resorts. "Let's just say- customer satisfaction is at an all time high."
Recent upgrades to Building 101, which contains a full-service Starbucks café, include an extensive lobby renovation, refinished elevator cabs, upscale artwork, improved interior and exterior seating areas and new park standard restrooms and elevator lobbies throughout.
“The execution of both of these transactions reinforces Merritt 7’s position as a select address for top corporations seeking superior office space in Fairfield County,” said David Fiore, Principal with Marcus Partners. It is clear that Merritt 7's accessible location, access to mass transportation centers, abundant on-site amenities and tenant services are attractive incentives for companies in the market for space.”
Significant interior and exterior capital improvements have been underway at Merritt 7 and include the refurbishment and reconstruction of entryways, main lobbies, common corridors, restrooms, dining facilities, cafés and conference and fitness centers. Exterior improvements feature enhanced landscaping, new plaza lighting, outdoor furniture and seating areas, new 15’ monument signs along Route 7 and monument signs at the building entrances
Located on a 22-acre campus setting along the Norwalk River, Merritt 7’s six buildings feature landscaped plazas, technologically advanced infrastructure, sustainable design features and extensive on-site amenities, including two Starbucks Cafés, fitness center, conference center, two fullservice cafeterias, car rental, hair salon, and other retail services. Merritt 7 has been recognized and awarded for its energy conservation efforts, including LEED EB certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for buildings 101, 301, 401, 501 and 601 as well as the EPA’s ENERGY STAR rating.
The property is located adjacent to the Merritt 7 Metro North station and is in close proximity to Fairfield County’s major highways and area amenities. Major tenants at Merritt 7 include Datto; EMCOR; FactSet Research Systems; Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF); General Electric; IPSOS; Mercer; Millward Brown; and Siemens. For more information, visit www.merritt7.com.
