In Hartford, where the struggles of its downtown office market often make headlines, city officials on Wednesday celebrated the move of a regional nonprofit into 10,000 square feet at the Hartford Steam Boiler tower.
“Today is extra special because we are inside, we are in our office buildings cutting ribbons,” MetroHartford Alliance President and CEO David Griggs said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s new office on the 17th floor of the 742,000-square-foot tower at One State St.
The nonprofit moved into the space in June after spending a year in two temporary locations, following the $1.5 million sale of its 33,000-square-foot former headquarters at 30 Laurel St. to Spectra Construction & Development.
The New York developer is well underway with the conversion of the former United Way building into 47 apartments.
Selling its former century-old headquarters had been a longtime priority for United Way, which wanted to shed the costs and responsibilities of being a landlord. The sale also allowed the organization to seek a smaller, more flexible space better suited to its hybrid work model adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization spent about a year working out of donated spaces in Hartford and East Hartford before settling into a bright, modern office suite in the HSB Building. The space, formerly occupied by financial services firm UBS, offers sweeping views of downtown, the Connecticut River and the countryside beyond.
“The nice space, the windows, the environment is really an investment in our staff,” said Eric Harrison, president and CEO of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “It’s something we are proud to invest in for them.”
Hartford Steam Boiler gave the United Way a “discounted” rate on a 10-year lease, with renewal options, Harrison said. The company also donated about 90% of the office furnishings — including desks — along with design and architectural services.
Harrison noted HSB was one of three Hartford corporations that founded his United Way chapter in 1924, making it a natural partner.
“You said you came to us because we have some office space, but we have a lot of love for the United Way, obviously,” noted Greg Barats, president and CEO of HSB Group Inc., during Wednesday’s ceremony. “The work they do and what they do for our community is nothing less than extraordinary, so we are honored to have them here as part of our building.”
The 24-story tower is about 95% occupied, Barats said. That puts it in far better shape than many of the other Class A office buildings downtown, which have been hard-pressed by a post-pandemic shift of working patterns and shrinking corporate footprints.
The United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut employs 45 people and helps organize and fund anti-poverty, childhood literacy, emergency housing and health programs in 56 communities. It operates with a $12 million budget, about 85% of which comes from corporate donations, Harrison said.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam noted the United Way is a key partner in initiatives to improve lives across the city. He also praised Hartford Steam Boiler’s contributions.
“You guys are corporate partners who are so invested in our city and have shown it, not just by sitting on boards but by showing up with real dollars at the table to transform the city,” Arulampalam said Wednesday. “This is another example of that.”