The new year brings several changes at Hartford 21, Northland Investment Corp.’s tony downtown apartment tower.
According to a letter dated Jan. 14 from Northland CEO Lawrence Gottesdiener:
— Chris Barstein, the general manager of the nearby Goodwin Hotel until Northland closed it the final week of 2008, will become the manager of Hartford 21.
— Hartford 21’s valet service for residents will end Feb. 1.
— Northland will strive to provide “a much higher management presence in the lobby.”
— Northland has already spent $2 million toward its efforts to sign an agreement for a grocery on the building’s ground level and “will not quit” on that initiative.
Gottesdiener, who often visits his penthouse unit, likes his digs. “Having been in the real estate business for over 20 years, and having visited the competitors, I know that Hartford 21 is, by far, the nicest apartment building in New England.”
But he acknowledges that economic pressures are forcing him to cut back on its amenities. “In this difficult economy, we believe that you would rather self-park than be charged for parking.”
