A well-known Connecticut civil and environmental engineering firm plans to relocate its headquarters this fall, creating 74 jobs in the state over the next few years.
Fass & O’Neill moved from Manchester to downtown Hartford, where it was founded in 1924, and in October leased 23,000 square feet at Hartford’s One Financial Plaza to build its new headquarters, the Gold Building. to be established.
The company’s move to Hartford will bring about 160 of its 400 total employees to downtown from Manchester, and the new jobs expected to be created will also be based in Hartford. said Kevin Grigg, the company’s chief executive officer.
Grigg said the space on the 15th floor of the Gold Building provides an opportunity to consolidate all of Manchester’s staff, currently split between two buildings, into one space, and to accommodate more if future expansion is anticipated. It said it would also offer options to reserve space.
Grigg said accommodating all of Manchester’s employees in the space and fostering collaboration was a key driver for the move. However, throughout its 100-year history, Fass & O’Neill has sought to expand in urban areas to foster innovation and attract talent talent.
“Certainly the people we call young and mid-career professionals are excited about the ease of access to venues, shops and restaurants,” Grigg said. “They are drawn to the urban feel and want to enjoy more activities. We have beautiful views and, just as important to us, we have many important customers downtown. It’s almost a win-win situation for us and our customers.”
The move follows two other high-profile leases at the Gold Building, with financial services and insurance companies Sun Life and Global Atlantic.
Patrick Raycraft / Hartford Courant
Fass & O’Neill leased space on the 15th floor of the Gold Building in the One Financial Plaza office tower downtown. (Photo of coolant file)
Fass & O’Neill’s projects include the Beehive Bridge in New Britain, maintenance of Hartford’s flood control system, and contributions to the New Haven Science Park.
Fass & O’Neill said the Gold Building also offers the company the option to adjust its work environment to the hybrid offices that have emerged in the aftermath of the pandemic.
“When we’ve been planning our office space, of course we’ve been planning for people who come into the office every day, but there’s a lot of people who don’t,” Grigg said. “So the new plan incorporates a lot of hotel space so people who come one, two or three days a week have a place to stay, but may not have a permanent office.”
The state will provide up to $1.1 million in tax credits to offset payroll taxes related to the creation and retention of new jobs, according to a release from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office.
“This highly respected engineering firm employs hundreds of people in high-paying jobs in several states,” Lamont said in the release. We look forward to their continued growth here. ”
Fass & O’Neill celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and has 11 offices in seven states. The company has his 200 employees in Connecticut and his second office in New Haven.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
