Hartford Business Journal

12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 20, 2025 it to sublease to tenants. "The fifth floor was all cubicle space," Laliberte said. "We're spending the money to renovate that and cut it up into one-, two-, three-, and four-room suites." He said he has already leased all of the suites. For all of his completed projects, the offices are between 90% and 100% leased, he said. Bristol glitch Focus Spaces has also leased more than half the space in a former medical office building in Bristol — one of its newest projects. The single-story, 5,000-square-foot building at 291 Queen St. — formerly home to an ear, nose and throat prac- tice — was converted into 19 one-room office suites and two, two-room suites with a shared foyer. Laliberte began the conversion in October 2024 and has since signed 12 tenants. But the project has hit a few snags. City officials said four personal service businesses operating in the building weren't permitted in the zone when they signed their leases. Laliberte also did not file for a special permit to allow for adaptive re-use of the building, nor did he submit a site plan for approval. At a public hearing last month, City Planner Robert Flanagan said that was how Focus Spaces "ran afoul of the city." Laliberte said he has an agreement to buy the building, but the sale can't close until the property receives proper city approvals. In June, the city's Planning & Zoning Commission updated its regulations to allow personal service uses in the building, clearing one hurdle. The commission is expected to vote Oct. 20 on the project's special permit and site plan. Laliberte said he's completed similar conversions in "eight or nine" other towns without problems, but admitted Bristol was a learning experience. "I made an assumption — but you know how assumptions are," he said. Turnkey spaces Even with that hiccup, Focus Spaces continues to outperform the broader office market in attracting tenants. Laliberte credits that success to a few key factors. First, he divides large spaces into multiple smaller suites, which are easier to fill. "So, I don't generally ever have cash flow problems on any particular prop- erty, because I'm not depending on one giant tenant," he said. He also says he understands what small business owners need. At all Focus Spaces properties, utili- ties and Wi-Fi are included in the rent, along with cleaning, landscaping and snow removal. Each building and its offices are equipped with surveillance cameras and digital locks. "There's a tremendous amount of small business people that cannot find a turnkey space with everything inclu- sive," he said. "And that's what I offer." The lobby of 291 Queen St., in Bristol, a former medical office building that Focus Spaces renovated into 21 office suites. HBJ Photo | David Krechevsky Strong Women. Strong Communities. Strong Business. From business loans to personalized accounts, Ellafi Federal Credit Union empowers women+ and the businesses that thrive alongside them. As Connecticut's first women-dedicated credit union, we're here to champion growth, stability, and impact. follow us on Scan to learn more Learn more about how Ellafi FCU can support you at ellafifcu.org Medical Rehab Continued from page 11

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