Merritt 7 Corporate Park in Norwalk Commences Extensive Capital Improvement Program

Property Owner Announces Expansive Plan for Interior and Exterior Upgrades at 1.4 MSF, Class-A Office Park

 Real estate investment management firms Clarion Partners and Marcus Partners, today announced the commencement of a substantial, multi-year capital improvement program that will enhance both the interior and the exterior of Merritt 7 Corporate Park.  Merritt 7 is a six-building, 1.4 million square foot Class–A office property located in Norwalk, CT.

 “Merritt 7 is a LEED certified complex with a highly-improved and well-maintained infrastructure” said Margaret Egan, senior vice president, Clarion Partners. “Our amenity package is broad and has always been a contributing factor to the park’s success. Through these significant capital upgrades we will improve and expand upon existing opportunities in order to further enhance the work environment for our tenants.”

“Merritt 7 has long been known as best-in-class for Fairfield County office parks and it is our mission to see that it remains the region’s market leader in Class-A space,” said David Fiore, principal, Marcus Partners.  “The complex provides unrivaled tenant amenities that support a balance between professional and personal priorities. The new Starbucks café in Building 501 has been a huge success with tenants and we are eager to implement our plan to upgrade existing amenities and further improve the tenant experience.”

The renovation program will focus on upgrades to the interior and exterior common areas such as seating plazas, entryways, main lobbies, corridors and restrooms.  At the same time, the property’s amenity base will be enhanced and the infrastructure developed further. The project began in earnest earlier this year with the opening of a Starbucks café in Building 501.  At the same time, construction began on an executive conference center in Building 101 as well as a park-wide state-of-the-art security system with a central command station in 401.

 In Building 301, home to the park’s central amenities, the main lobby will undergo a significant transformation which will include all new finishes, the addition of another Starbucks café as well as an executive dining/conference room.  Also part of the project are upgrades to the existing full-service cafeteria and conference center plus an expanded/remodeled fitness facility.  

 Main lobbies, common corridor and restrooms in 301 and other buildings will also be refreshed or renovated, in line with the park’s new finish standards.  Planned improvements to the grounds include enhanced landscaping, new plaza lighting, outdoor furniture and seating areas and updated signage.

 The property improvements are expected to be completed by mid-2013. 

“Tenants understand that the true cost of occupancy is not just figured into the price per square foot, and take into account the whole package and the daily work experience offered,” said JoAnn McGrath, Marcus Partners’ director of leasing for Merritt 7. “This renovation will keep Merritt 7 at the forefront of building design and renovation in a highly competitive leasing market.”

 Corporate Planning Group (CPG) of Stamford has been retained to oversee the architecture and design implementation of the building improvements, and Landgarden Landscape Architects of NYC will manage the property landscaping.

 The CBRE brokerage team of Tom Pajolek, Robert Caruso, Steven Greenbush and Ned Burns serve as the property’s leasing agents, in conjunction with the Clarion Partners and Marcus Partners executive management team.

 “Management is firmly committed to enhancing the Merritt 7 brand, image and sense of community,” said Tom Pajolek, a CBRE executive vice president.  “The Merritt 7 campus continues to evolve with upgrades throughout its already impressive indoor common areas and outdoor plazas.”

 Merritt 7 Corporate Park offers a wide range of tenant leasing opportunities. There are currently full-floor units available in buildings 301, 501, and 601, as well as several smaller units ranging from 1,750 to 9,800 square feet in building 101. Located on a 22-acre campus setting along the Norwalk River, Merritt 7’s six buildings feature landscaped plazas, technologically advanced infrastructure, sustainable design features and extensive on-site amenities, including a Starbucks Café, fitness center, conference center, two full-service cafeterias, a Hertz car rental, hair salon, among other retail services. Merritt 7 has been recognized and awarded for its energy conservation efforts, including LEED EB certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for buildings 101, 301, 401, 501 and 601 and the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR rating. For more information on Merritt 7, visit www.merritt7.com.

 Merritt 7 is situated adjacent to the Merritt 7 Metro North station, which has been approved for a major upgrade by the State of Connecticut, and is located in close proximity to Fairfield County’s major highways and area amenities. Major tenants at Merritt 7 include EMCOR; FactSet Research Systems; Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF); General Electric; HEI; IPSOS; Marsh USA; and Siemens.