Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 13, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 7 W E B U I L D R E L AT I O N S H I P S W I T H O N E G O A L I N M I N D : YO U R S . When you work with Santander's commercial banking team, you can expect us to take the time to get to know you and your business. The better we know you, the better we can help you pursue opportunities and anticipate your needs. Whether you are looking to expand by acquisition or grow intrinsically, enter new markets or broaden your current markets, you can rely on our global and capital markets expertise and our international trade and treasury management solutions to help your business grow and become more valuable. Whatever your goals are, we're here to help you achieve them. To start a conversation about partnering with Santander Commercial Banking, call Paul Larsen, Market Manager at 1.203.252.9581. 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All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 80401_– 09/2017 • 136 Main Street (the Andrews Building, 29,000 square feet) used by attorneys and retailers; • 160 Main St. (the Rao Building, 18,900 square feet). Krohn bought it from the city in 2007 for $1; it now houses offices and the Grand Pizza restaurant, which opened in 2016; • 165 East Main St., (the T-Mobile Build- ing, 4,200 square feet), which Krohn said will be completed in January. In 2016, Jasko sold off one of its New Brit- ain properties, a 3,200-square-foot commer- cial building at 135 East Main St., to a New York buyer for $705,000, city records show. West Hartford real estate broker and developer Brian Zelman, who has worked with Krohn on several projects, is impressed with his energy and drive. In some projects Zelman acts as partner; in others as broker/consultant. "We complement one another," Zelman said. "Our skills are compatible." One critic of Krohn's, who asked not to be identified, questioned his entre- preneurial skills. Though 160 Main St. is considered an ideal retail location, since 2006 five establishments have closed. Patrons are lunching at Grand Pizza, though restaurateur Tommy Qoku would like to see an increase in his dinner crowd. Krohn insists that the location is still right. Qoku, he said, is an experienced restaurant owner and with the police sta- tion across the street and more parking available, evening customers will come. Developer's roots Rarely is Krohn deterred. Faith is para- mount in his life. "Faith makes me strive to do better, especially with my team," he said. "Real estate is a complicated business with chal- lenges every day. What makes life easier is knowing there's a God who expects me to try harder and do the right thing." Krohn grew up in Lawrence, Long Island with its large Orthodox Jewish community, kosher restaurants and busi- nesses on Central Avenue. As a boy, he watched apartment houses and professional buildings being built. He was fascinated by the process, see- ing a project come out of the ground and become a building. At age 10, he started playing drums. "My parents thought it would be good for my energy." By the time Krohn was 13 he was playing bar mitzvahs and wed- dings, 40 gigs a year. "I still love playing though I have less time now," he said. Krohn commutes to his New Britain office three days a week from Lawrence where he lives with his wife, Moriel, a for- mer El Al airline flight attendant. Moriel Krohn is currently studying business and beginning a residential real estate career in Manhattan. Though Jasko has done projects in Enfield, Waterbury, Bristol and Vernon, Krohn said "the real opportunity is in New Britain. I won't tell you it's a walk in the park. My biggest challenge is tenanting, attracting residents who will support lo- cal restaurants and businesses." He said New Britain's assets include accessibility to major highways and a vibrant arts community. He's also bullish that the city's main college, Central Con- necticut State University, will eventually have more of a downtown presence. Competition for both retail and residen- tial tenants often comes from Hartford. When this occurs, Krohn reminds them of the cost advantage. "In New Britain a $1,400-a-month rental goes for $2,200 in downtown Hartford," he said. Ian Fishkin, counsel for HJ Develop- ment in New York City, is a longtime friend of Krohn's. "Avner is great for New Britain," Fishkin said. "The city should pick his brain about redevelopment. He took major steps for- ward; now he's waiting to see where the city will go before he does any more projects." Krohn said Jasko is currently busy with projects in other cities and looking for de- velopment opportunities in other states. Connecticut is attractive because its real estate prices are much cheaper than New York City. "I'm not saying we wouldn't buy any- thing else in New Britain," said Krohn. "What I am saying is that we're focusing on what we have while always looking to the future." His main focus now is getting the best tenants into his New Britain properties. "I don't expect a home run," he said. "Not yet. But, I'm seeing a younger generation more dependent on public transit. In New Britain, that will make a difference." (Above) The Raphael Building includes 16 luxury apartments above retail space. (Left) Avner Krohn expects his newest project, a 4,200-square-foot building on East Main Street that will house T-Mobile, to by completed by January. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER

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