Hartford Business Journal

5 Hartford Business Journal | April 5, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com DEAL WATCH The apartment development was 45% leased at the time of the deal, but occupancy has since reached about 90%. "We came in and bought it not knowing when we were going to do [additional nearby development]," Kligerman said. "We wanted to test the market and understand the demand profile and it's been extremely strong. I don't think any of us could have expected the activity at this level." "We've seen incredible demand for existing multifamily, but we've also heard from a lot of people expressing desire for more private space, and to hit a price point that fits the desires of every person from all the different economic backgrounds," Kligerman added. Before selling in February the site of the proposed rental homes (at 2 Murthas Way) for $3.1 million, according to town records, Upstream Properties had local zoning approval to build 50 single-family dwellings there. Connecticut Realty Trust and Krown Point Capital are now asking the town to approve a permit modification to instead build 19 single-family detached homes and 28 duplexes. "This is kind of our proposal to offer every aspect of rental living that you could possibly have," Kronstadt said. Abigail Kenyon, Granby's community development director, said the permit modification is headed to a hearing with the wetlands commission this month and she expects an application to reach the planning board soon. The developer's intent to rent some of the proposed homes is new, she said. Kenyon said she couldn't speak to the demand for such rentals, but single-family homes have been selling in town. "When it comes to single-family housing, we are seeing not only entry-level buyers but folks looking to downsize into a little less space to maintain," Kenyon said. Jim Perras Robert Trivella Senior Vice President Senior Commercial Loan Officer Expert guidance from experienced business minds. "Putnam Bank… a division of Centreville Bank." Those words do more than describe a relationship between two financial institutions. They support the goals you envision for your business. Our commercial lenders have decades of experience helping businesses small and large with the financing and guidance they need to pursue their dreams. Talk to us about yours, and see how we can help them become reality. putnambank.com/commercialbanking | Rob Trivella at 860.753.8520 That's part of what it means to be a division of Centreville Bank. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER | NMLS#402947 | MEMBER FDIC Centreville-38222 PB_commercial_HBJ_10x325_Robert Trivella_f.indd 1 Centreville-38222 PB_commercial_HBJ_10x325_Robert Trivella_f.indd 1 3/23/21 9:50 AM 3/23/21 9:50 AM Longtime Glastonbury small businessman Joseph Tomkievich has put his own sweat equity into renovating a large Griswold Street barn that's soon going to be ready for coworking tenants. Glastonbury entrepreneur aims for cozy, unique feel with coworking barn By Matt Pilon mpilon@hartfordbusiness.com W ith a major remodel nearing completion, a massive Glastonbury barn is set for a new life as a coworking space. Owned and developed by Joseph Tomkievich, The Barn, located just off Route 2 at 119 Griswold St., is slated to open in May. In an interview, Tomkievich said the 6,000-square-foot building will house 16 offices, two conference rooms, a coffee bar (he's still looking for an operator), outdoor patio and other amenities. Tomkievich's father, the late Richard Tomkievich, bought the property in the 1960s. Since then it has housed a Christmas tree and furniture store, antiques shop and most recently, a pet business that vacated the space a few years ago. Tomkievich began envisioning the coworking space before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Connecticut over a year ago. "Retail is changing," he said. "I had to come up with a different concept to move forward with the times." That's only become truer since the pandemic hit, so he decided to move forward with pursuit of local approvals last year. He had already decided to install ductless heating and cooling units in each of the offices, which range in size from 135 square feet to 185 square feet, so tenants can control their own environments. But that decision also means air won't cycle through the facility, which could put tenants at ease that viral particles — like COVID-19 or the flu — won't travel through the air as easily. "The air in your office is the air in your office," Tomkievich said. "I guess I had insight that I didn't realize at the time." Tomkievich isn't your typical real estate investor. As owner of the adjacent Mermaid Pools and Spas and All-Fence businesses, he's hands-on with the design work and physical labor. While he has hired contractors, Tomkievich pulled up the barn's former brick floor — about 15,000 bricks in all — by hand, incorporating some of them into an outdoor patio. Others went into a memorial installation he built out front for his father, who died seven years ago. The Barn is Tomkievich's first foray into the coworking business, where he will compete with a variety of other facilities in Greater Hartford. He said he's confident he has a unique offering. The barn's exterior has been resided with pine and stonework, and there are also new windows. Each office door will be made of glass to allow for more natural light. Tomkievich has also focused on insulating each unit so voices and other sounds don't travel between them. "Most of the ones I've seen are ultra-modern and sterile," he said of other coworking spaces. "This is cozy and feels like working at home, but it's a business atmosphere." "If you think the outside looks good, wait until the inside is finished," he added. The offices will rent for between $800 and $1,400 per month, but Tomkievich said he is also planning to offer hourly or daily rates. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED A view of second-floor renovations on the Griswold Street barn, where private offices are being built. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

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