Good news on the economic trends for the Manhattan office market. Hopefully it will impact Connecticut.

New Times Article

DANBURY, CT, March 1, 2010 – Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International (www.goodfellows.com) in Danbury announced that the firm brokered the sale of the Bartlett Realty property located at 66 Wooster Heights in Danbury for $1,800,000. The 5.02 acre property was previously leased by the Bartlett Tree Service company and featured two buildings totaling 6,752 square feet, and was sold to JAR Associates in Danbury. Ernie Badillo, Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International sales associate, represented both parties in this notable closing on February 16, 2010. Todd Payne, SIOR, president and owner, of Goodfellow Ashmore, commented, “This would be a notable property sale at any time, but certainly one of significance during recent economic times.”

The 66 Wooster Heights property was leased to the Bartlett Tree Company by Bartlett Realty Corporation in Stamford, Connecticut. Fred Tobin, General Counsel for Bartlett Realty explained, “We are a holding company that acquires and leases properties, and the Bartlett Tree Company is an affiliate of Bartlett Realty.” Mr. Tobin reported that the Bartlett Tree Service company is the third largest company of its kind in the world. “Bartlett Tree Service is in 30 United States, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland. Here in Connecticut, we have offices in Danbury, Stamford, Simsbury and Guilford, and we are the third largest commercial and residential tree service company in this region.”

Purchased in the 1940s, the two buildings on the Wooster Heights property were originally a house and a barn. The house was renovated into office space, and the barn converted into a warehouse where local operations as well as Connecticut divisional operations were conducted for Bartlett Tree Service, and a subsidiary public utilities operations company that has since been divested. “When the Bartlett Tree Service divisional operations were moved to Southampton, New York on Long Island in the late 1990’s,” explained Tobin, “operations have been downsized over the past decade and the need for property the size of the 5.02 acre Wooster Heights site decreased.”

The family-owned and operated JAR Associates, is a full-service property management firm serving more than 60 clients throughout the Greater Danbury region. Founded in 1965 by Joan and Anthony Rizzo Sr., JAR Associates oversees nearly 500,000 square feet of space including industrial, commercial, medical, R&D, office, retail and warehousing. The company is a division of The Rizzo Companies that manages industrial, commercial and municipal construction contracts, plus real estate and construction management, throughout Connecticut and New York.

“This is one of the most beautiful pieces of property in the Danbury region,” commented Anthony Rizzo Jr. “It’s a very prestigious location that is located close to the Danbury Fair Mall and Interstate 84, as well the borders of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and northern Westchester County, New York. There are many great features to this property in addition to its ideal accessibility.” As the real estate holding company that purchased the property, JAR Associates has already realized demands for its ideally-situated location.  Anthony Rizzo Jr. stated, “We are already surveying the land and the buildings from the construction to the medical arena perspectives for potential development. We have no specific plans at this time, but it’s certainly going to be interesting to see what does develop.”

Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International’s Todd Payne commented, “The sale of this property was well-timed for everyone involved. It is a spectacular piece of land, well situated with strong corporate neighbors. I’m certain Mr. Rizzo has a great vision for this property.”

Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International is the largest and oldest commercial realty firm in northern Fairfield County and western Connecticut. The firm celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2009, and provides services that offer a combination of asset and property management, commercial and residential brokerage, construction, development, as well as investment services. In December of 2009, the company moved their offices from 2 Ives Street in Danbury to 26 Mill Plain Road where their sister company, ERA Goodfellow Homes (www.eragoodfellow.com) is located.

February 17, 2010 Danbury, CT

Kyle Ely and Todd Payne of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International are pleased announce a 10,665 square foot office lease to PepsiCo. Please open the link below to the article in the Danbury News Times.

PepsiCo leases space in Danbury

DANBURY, CT, February 26, 2010 – Peter Racevicius of Woodbury, Connecticut, has joined the team of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International in Danbury as Director of Business Development for Greater Waterbury. Todd Payne, President of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International, commented, “Peter’s background and extensive business relationships in the area are the perfect fit with our corporate plans for growth in the Greater Waterbury market. Peter’s sales management and manufacturing experience, combined with Goodfellow Ashmore’s operating platform, will allow our 75 year-old commercial realty group to provide superior services to the Greater Waterbury commercial real estate and business community.” 

A native of Naugatuck, Racevicius was Executive Corporate Director and Director of Sales and New Business Development with Naugatuck Glass Company for 20 years. In this position, he coordinated sales, marketing, customer service and contract-review efforts for custom-manufactured glass and mirror components used in aerospace, cosmetic, automotive, medical and industrial applications. Racevicius was instrumental in creation of the company’s global brand image, dominant market share, and he spearheaded the company’s merger and acquisition team.

Racevicius is a graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, and graduated with his BSBA in Marketing and Management from Northeastern University School of Business in Boston in 1988. In 1986 and 1987, he captained the Division 1 Golf Team of Northeastern University earning All New England Team Honors.

A resident of Woodbury, Connecticut for 10 years with his wife and three children, Racevicius is active in community volunteering as basketball coach for Nonnewaug High School, and as coach for the Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department’s soccer, baseball and basketball leagues. He has been a long-standing member of the Waterbury Country Club where he has served as Director of Junior Golf, Tournament Chairman, Greens Committee, Tournament Committee and the club’s Beautification Committee.

Todd Payne, president of Goodfellow Ashmore is pleased to announce that Garett Palmer has joined company. Garetts bio is below:

Garett Palmer is a recent addition to Goodfellow Ashmore Corfac International and a life long resident in the Danbury area.

Garett started his career at General Electric in the commercial equipment financing division where he handled leasing for heavy equipment and aircraft deals. After making his first investment in real estate, he decided to pursue his passion and make it a full time career. Garett comes to Goodfellow with strong background in real estate. He specializes in accquistion, disposition and leasing of investment and retail properties. He handles all aspects of real estate from landlord and tenant representation, property management, asset management and new site development. He currently manages over 100,000sqft of retail properties and is working on approvals for an additional 100,000sqft of retail,office, industrial and medical space. Garett is a member of the National Association or Realtors, Northern County association of realtors, International Council of Shopping Centers, and Connecticut Commercial Investment Division. He also is an active member in the Danbury and New Milford Chamber of Commerce.

Garett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island where he also played soccer for the school team. Garett and his wife Marissa reside in Danbury.

Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International Moves to 26 Mill Plain Road

DANBURY, CT, February 9, 2010 – The staff of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International (www.goodfellows.com) in Danbury have moved to 26 Mill Plain Road where they will align their notably-successful commercial real estate ambitions with the successes of ERA Goodfellow Homes. Todd Payne, SIOR, president and owner of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International, and partner with ERA Goodfellow Homes, stated, “Our commercial brokerage firm, Goodfellow Ashmore, moved to this location when offices next to ERA Goodfellow Homes became available.

The close proximity of our commercial company,” explained Payne, “to the offices of our residential realty firm, immediately created a notably positive synergy, efficiency and productivity between the staffs of our two sister companies. Positioning our offices on the second floor of 26 Mill Plain Road allows the senior management of both companies to work more closely together, and gives me the opportunity to dedicate more time with our residential agents.”

Celebrating its 75^th anniversary in 2009, Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International is the largest and oldest commercial realty firm in northern Fairfield County and western Connecticut. Founded in 1934 by Robert Goodfellow and Harry Ashmore as a real estate and insurance company, the firm today offers a combination of asset and property management, commercial and residential brokerage, construction and development, plus investment services.

“We oversee a good deal of commercial leasing space on Mill Plain Road,” Payne stated. “During the fall of 2009, we began witnessing a rebound in the retail and commercial arenas throughout the greater Danbury area. So it’s a very positive move for Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International to be prominently positioned on one of Danbury’s most commercially active thoroughfares, Mill Plain Road.”

Scott Cooney, president and partner of ERA Goodfellow Homes (www.eragoodfellow.com) commented, “Bringing the personnel of the two Goodfellow companies together under one roof has proven to be an instant success. Merging the energies and extensive knowledge of our residential brokerage sales associates with the Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC sales associates, provides an exceptionally insightful, up-to-the-minute awareness of both the commercial and residential markets in the Danbury region. No other brokerage firm in our area can offer such a high level of real-time knowledge of commercial and residential real estate transactions and opportunities in our area.”

 ERA Goodfellow Homes is part of the world’s leading residential franchise brokerage networks with 38,000 brokers and sales associates worldwide. Payne commented, “My grandfather, Robert Goodfellow, who today is 96 years old, would be enormously appreciative of the familiarity, comfort and excitement of highly-skilled professionals working closely and productively on one floor under one roof. It’s this exciting and high level of professionalism and friendship that he and Harry Ashmore experienced and cultivated when they founded this company 75 years ago.”

DANBURY, WOODBURY – Woodbury resident Joe Wrinn, SIOR, Vice President and Partner of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International in Danbury (http://www.goodfellows.com/), received the company’s prestigious 2009 Robert R. Goodfellow Award on December 22nd at Arturo’s Restaurant in Bethel. Todd Payne, SIOR, President and Owner of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International, and Robert Goodfellow’s grandson, presented the award to Wrinn, as well as, Kellie Martone of Brookfield, sales associate of ERA Goodfellow Homes in Danbury. “The Robert R. Goodfellow award,” explained Payne, “recognizes the top agent in our two companies. These individuals are top producers as well as standard bearers of hard work ethics and integrity personified by our founder, Robert Goodfellow”. In 2009, Wrinn celebrated his 20th successful year with Goodfellow Ashmore, currently the region’s largest commercial realty firm. “During his tenure,” Payne commented, “Joe completed over 700 transactions valuing in excess of $500M. During 2009 alone, he was once again our company’s top producer, a distinction he has proudly held for 15 of the past 16 years. Joe Wrinn is truly an invaluable asset to our firm.” During 2009, Wrinn helped the company celebrate Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International’s 75th anniversary. Robert Goodfellow, currently age 96, and the-late Harry Ashmore, formed The Goodfellow Ashmore Agency real estate and insurance company in 1934. Today, it is the largest and oldest commercial realty firm in northern Fairfield County and western Connecticut.

DANBURY, CT – October 23, 2009

Todd Payne, President of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International is pleased to announce the recent completion of 10 retail transactions totalling over 24,000 sf of transactions in Ridgefield, Bethel, Brookfield and New Milford.

 1 Ethan Allen Highway, Ridgefield to Snap Fitness – 3500 sf  represented by Brian Donahue

273 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel to Bethel Studio of Dance – 2500 sf represented by Brian Dohahue and Kyle Ely

270 Federal Road, Brookfield to The Prefect Racquet – 2900 sf represented by Garett Palmer and Brian Donahue

270 Federal Road, Brookfield to Road and Track Sports – 2600 sf represented by Garett Palmer

270 Federal Road, Brookfield to Pocket Full of Poses – 750 sf represented by Garett Palmer

317 Federal Road, Brookfield to Gotta Dance – 1976 sf represented by Garett Palmer

317 Federal Road, Brookfield to O’Connors Public House – 1883 sf represented by Garett Palmer

507 Danbury Road, New Milford to 1^st and 10 Sports Bar and Grill – 4495 sf represented by Ernie Badillo

370 Danbury Road, New Milford to Dunkin Donuts – 2018 sf represented by Todd Payne and Joe Wrinn

370 Danbury Road, New Milford to Brusters Real Ice Cream – 1720 sf represented by Todd Payne

“In today’s retail climate, we are pleased to see the small retailer still expanding in the Greater Danbury marketplace” Payne said. “We are seeing tremendous activity from the high quality local and regional tenants at our client’s properties.  These tenants are committed to the community and have long term goals for their businesses.”

GOODFELLOW ASHMORE CORFAC INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

DANBURY, CT, July 14, 2009 – Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International in Danbury, the largest and oldest commercial realty firm in northern Fairfield County and western Connecticut, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this July. “We formed the company on July 3rd so we could take the next day off,” joked company founder Robert Goodfellow during the firm’s 75th anniversary celebration in Danbury on July 10th at LaFortuna restaurant. At age 96, Robert Goodfellow recalled that he and Harry Ashmore formed The Goodfellow Ashmore Agency as a real estate and insurance company in 1934. Harry Ashmore died in 2008.

Todd Payne, SIOR, president and owner of Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International and Robert Goodfellow’s grandson, joined the firm when he was 26 and has spent the past 20 years running the notably successful company. “We bought and sold other companies along the way. Today we have close to 100 employees and agents who provide commercial brokerage services through Goodfellow Ashmore, and also residential brokerage services through ERA Goodfellow Homes. Our primary market is western Connecticut from Ridgefield up into Torrington. We enjoy substantial market share throughout northern Fairfield County and Litchfield County in both the commercial and residential arenas.”

After founding Goodfellow Ashmore in 1934, Robert Goodfellow was instrumental over the following 60 years in bringing much of the manufacturing base to the Greater Danbury region that still exists today. Some of the companies he brought to the Danbury area included Barden, Eagle Pencil, Commerce Park, Davis and Geck and Grolier. “In addition to teaching me about economic development, my grandfather instilled in me a strong commitment to give back to my communities,” stated Payne. “He gave a great deal of his time and resources to many organizations throughout the area including being Founding President of the Regional YWCA, serving on the Board of the Danbury Library, and being the first President of the Kiwanis Club, and serving on the Danbury Hospital Board of Directors. For 60 years in lived in Brookfield, and today he’s a thriving resident of Danbury.”

Since its founding, Goodfellow Ashmore has expanded into being one of the fastest growing real estate and corporate services company in the Danbury region. “The growth,” commented Todd Payne, “stems from consistency. We built our success on an operating platform that consistently provides regional as well as national corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and individuals, with tangible, realistic and affordable real estate solutions that meet every need.” Goodfellow Ashmore CORFAC International today provides services that offer a combination of asset and property management, commercial and residential brokerage, construction, development, plus investment services.

As a full service firm,” Payne explained, “corporations, businesses and individuals all have access to a premier, fully-integrated commercial and residential real estate company in northern Fairfield and Litchfield Counties.” Also, with the expanded scope of CORFAC International and ERA we are able to service our client needs in the United States and around the world. Goodfellow-Ashmore manages a real estate portfolio today valuing over $2 Billion. “This includes a combination office, retail, apartment and industrial properties,” explained Payne. “Three years ago, we also opened a Goodfellow Ashmore office in Torrington, and we’ve been enjoying a substantial market share in the Litchfield County region for the past 20 months. My grandfather always told me to look for the path of growth and I believe that the corridor from New Milford to Torrington has the retail and office growth potential that Danbury saw in the 1980’s.”

ERA Goodfellow Homes, LLC based in Danbury is ranked #2 within ERA offices across Connecticut, and among the top five residential realtors in the Danbury region. “We are fortunate to have some of the best people in the business working for our residential company. Even in this unprecedented economy, they are producing. My partner Scott Cooney, the president of ERA Goodfellow Homes, is a great motivator, trainer and most particularly a great person”, stated Payne. “Goodfellow Ashmore was always in the residential business. In the late 80′s we took a break from the business, but have seen great success since opening the ERA office in 2000.”

”Over the last 15 years, Goodfellow Ashmore has represented over 1,500 clients in commercial real estate leasing and sales valued at over $1.5 Billion. When recently asked about today’s commercial industries, Payne commented that healthcare and pharmaceuticals are two industries currently experiencing growth. “In Ridgefield, Boehringer Ingelheim, the global pharmaceutical giant, is expanding its North American headquarters by approximately 250,000 square feet. MEDInstill in New Milford is growing rapidly; and biopharmaceutical company Mannkind has invested millions of dollars in the former Davis & Geck building in Danbury. Two new medical office buildings are also being constructed in the Danbury marketplace. “We have focused a great deal of our efforts in these industries over the last several years and it looks like 2009 may be one of our strongest years – even in this economy.”

Following in his grandfather’s ‘well-heeled’ footsteps, Todd Payne is also strongly committed to community involvement. Today he is on the board of directors of the Bridgewater Land Trust. In 2005, he served as President of CORFAC International which is ranked today as the 11th largest real estate brokerage firm in the United States. He is also a past President of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), the Connecticut chapter, and Trustee of the SIOR Education Foundation. During the past 20 years, Todd Payne has served on the boards of the Western CT chapter of the American Red Cross, The Regional Hospice, The Danbury Hospital Development Fund, The United Way Cabinet, The Rotary Club of Danbury, The Charles Ives Center for the Arts, Ability Beyond Disability, and Citycenter Danbury.

“My grandfather and Mr. Ashmore were notable pillars of growth and charity in the northern Fairfield, southern Litchfield Counties,” expressed Payne. “I am committed to continuing that business model. Our growth will continue as we build our staff and focus on client retention and relationships I believe that this is one of the greatest opportunities for growth I will see in my business career.”

President Todd Payne continued, “Some of our key client relationships include Berkshire Corporate Park, Lee Farm Corporate Park, Commerce Park and Continental Real Estate. We value these long term relationships and are focused on building our operating platform to continue to serve them better. Our team is growth-oriented, just as Mr. Goodfellow and Mr. Ashmore proved to be. The team has changed but the established and respected work and community involvement ethics remain, and thrive today.”