Harbor Point, an urban redevelopment project spread across a 322-acre peninsula in Stamford”™s underutilized industrial waterfront, began six years ago, long after Pitney Bowes Inc. and Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., the two main businesses in the area, moved out.
The construction projects have yielded myriad choices for housing, food and beverage over the years. This summer, Harbor Point will begin construction of a 252-unit apartment building at 120 Towne St., and five restaurants are slated to open, including Harbor View Tap House, Corbo”™s Corner Deli, World of Beer, Paloma, Top This, Henri’s and Bareburger.
Harbor Point”™s residential apartment building projects, which are developed by Building and Land Technology, a real estate private equity, development and property management firm based in Stamford, have kept going throughout the economic recession, said Ted Ferrarone, chief operating officer of Harbor Point.
Since 2008, Harbor Point has built 1,800 apartment units. The three newest include The Key, a 107-unit apartment building at 110 Towne Street; 111 Harbor Point, a 228-unit complex at 111 Towne St.; and Postmark, a 402-unit two-building living space at 301 and 401 Commons Park South. Each building includes indoor parking totaling 968 spots.
Two office spaces have been constructed and two office buildings have been refurbished to attract new businesses, drawing 30 retailers, including Fairway Market, a New York City-based supermarket chain that opened its first Connecticut location in 2010. Banks, nail salons and laundromats are sprinkled throughout the mixed-use land at Harbor Point.
Leisurely amenities such as pool decks, fitness centers and private party spaces are available for residents of Harbor Point. For those who are visiting the area, Harbor Point runs shuttles to and from the downtown with multiple pickup locations on-site. The accessibility of transportation and proximity to activities help create a 24/7 neighborhood at Harbor Point where people don”™t have to travel too far to run errands, Ferrarone said.
“You can work in the office, work out in the gym, rent a paddleboat out in front and really do everything within walking distance without getting in your car,” Ferrarone said. “We opened up the whole waterfront and built two marinas and opened a beer garden.”
With established businesses such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts nearby, the Harbor Point district and newer companies, including NBC and Chelsea Piers expanding into the area, housing and employment numbers have surged in Stamford, Ferrarone said.
About 70 percent of the residents at Harbor Point come from outside Stamford, Ferrarone added. Meanwhile, 15 percent of Harbor Point residents move to Stamford from New York City, and 50 percent come from outside the tristate area entirely.
“So, young couples come to here because they”™re working in Stamford, New York City or somewhere local,” Ferrarone said. He added that Harbor Point is a popular destination for empty nesters and dog lovers as well because of the 12 acres of parks and greenery.
“The Loft is a 100-year-old historic place with exposed bricks, high ceilings and long windows,” Ferrarone said. “But 111 Harbor Point is completely different. It”™s got water views, fire pits and a pool on the roof deck. There”™s something here for everyone.”
Editor’s Note: In an earlier version of this article, it said BLT is the financier of Harbor Point. That is not the case. BLT is the developer.
