The sales teams for WTIC/Fox 61 and WTXX/CW 20 have moved from the television studio in downtown Hartford to the Hartford Courant building on Broad Street.
It could be the first step in the TV station’s departure from its current location at One Corporate Center, commonly referred to as the Stilts Building.
All three entities are owned by the Tribune Co., and the possibility of each being situated permanently at the Courant building looms as a strong possibility.
Richard Graziano, vice president and general manager for the television stations, said that there are several options on the table when the Fox 61 and CW 20 lease runs out in next year’s third quarter.
“We’re looking around and surveying the market,” Graziano said. “It could be the Courant building, but we’ve looked at other properties downtown.” He added that staying at the current Stilts Building location, albeit in more than its current 15,000 square feet, is another option.
“Ideally, we would like to remain downtown and be the only news team located there, but it all comes down to the marketplace and the economic environment,” Graziano said.
Andrea Savastra, corporate affairs and communications consultant for the Hartford Courant, would only confirm that the sales team had moved in. She declined further comment.
One Corporate Center is managed by CB Richard Ellis. Patrick Mulready, senior vice president with CBRE’s Hartford office, said Fox 61 has not made a decision to vacate the space. “They have not indicated one way or another about what they will do when their lease expires,” he said. “They are basically out of space right now, and that’s why they moved their sales team.”
About one-third — 147,335 square feet — of space is available for leasing at One Corporate Center, located at 20 Church St., according to CBRE. The total space in the building is 420,734 square feet.
The Hampshire Cos. purchased the building in July 2006. The new owner is refurbishing its lobby and adding a new fitness center and corporate concierge.
Graziano of Fox 61 said any decision to leave would have nothing to do with the building’s management, which he described as excellent. “They’ve done a superb job in helping us, and we have a really great space here,” he said. “We just don’t have the room.”
The impetus for the sales team’s move was the announcement earlier this month that Fox 61 would be increasing its news staff by at least 20 employees as it prepares to significantly ramp up its news coverage.
“It was a short-term move because we had to clear out space for the new employees,” Graziano said. “The thought process was that it would be more efficient to move them to the Courant building instead of spending an extra $10,000 or $15,000 on leasing.”
While the move has its economic advantages, Graziano said the move “was not ideal” because it divides the sales and news team and makes it more difficult to work together.
A decision on the future home of Fox 61 and whether it relocates or stays put will be made sooner rather than later, according to Graziano. “Our lease isn’t up for another year, but we’re going to have to make a decision well before then,” he said. “There are a lot of obstacles we have to face, but I’d like to see a decision made as quickly as possible so we can move forward.”
Earlier this month, The Courant was directed by its parent company, The Tribune Co., to reduce its news staff by more than 50 reporters and editors.
