Frederick Petrella

A Guilford-based nonprofit has become the third – and latest – tenant to set up shop in a newly renovated multi-tenant complex off Interstate 95.

Sarah Inc. is leasing 10,000 square feet in the redeveloped and former Alcoa Howmet facility at 1 Commercial St., said Frederick Petrella, president of the New Haven-based Connecticut Realty Group, which brokered the deal. Petrella and Richard Michaud, who owns Michaud Co., a New Haven-based commercial real estate appraisal company, are partners in Corner Properties, which owns the repositioned space.

“As with all of the tenants so far in this facility, Sarah Inc. needed an easily accessible site, but the agency also needed a space that could accommodate the multiple uses required by its programs,” Petrella said. “That it is a clean, well-lighted and modern space also means the facility is attractive to the customers and clients of prospective tenants, and that also helped bring Sarah Inc. into the building.”

Based in Guilford, Sarah Inc. provides services, support and advocacy to children and adults with intellectual and other disabilities. In addition to its new Branford location, the agency offers services from sites in Guilford, Madison and Old Saybrook.

Settling on the Branford site ended an approximately yearlong search for space to open the Sarah Inc. Enrichment Center, explained Executive Director Pat Bourne. The center offers Sarah Inc. clients a variety of educational programs, life skills and employment training, and other programs.

“The building has basically allowed us to open a state-of-the-art center that has classroom space and program/activity space to serve the needs of many people,” Bourne said. “The idea of the enrichment center really is a focus on offering a full array of services.”

The handicapped-accessible site offers training areas, classrooms, working kitchens and other program space, Bourne said. It also has space dedicated to developing a business-training and learning center, equipped with computers and the business and office equipment needed to develop job skills.

“It’s spacious. It’s bright. It has been designed for multi-function use,” Bourne said of the space, which is also close to both existing and prospective business partners. “The primary focus of our services is to help the people we support find jobs in the community. Being at that site, we’re not only near some of our current business partners, but it also will help us in making more businesses and potential employers aware of the benefits of employing the people we serve.”

95/7 Chooses Agent

The company 95/7 Ventures, a joint venture partnership of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners and Greenfield Partners, has announced the appointment of CB Richard Ellis as the exclusive office leasing agent for its proposed District 95/7 mixed-use development in Norwalk. Robert Caruso, Sean Cahill, Susanne Dengenis and Thomas Pajolek of CB Richard Ellis will oversee the marketing of the new project, which is expected to break ground this year.

Featuring three distinctive Class A office buildings, District 95/7 will offer prospective tenants a unique opportunity to occupy new space within one of Fairfield County’s most attractive markets. Ranging from 15,000 square feet to 400,000 square feet, each individual office space provides flexible layouts, the latest technologies and waterfront views. Building amenities include covered parking, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and numerous on-site restaurants.

“We are very pleased to have CB Richard Ellis on board as the exclusive office leasing agent for this exciting new project. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our team,” said Kim Morque, principal of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners.