By Richard Lee, Staff Writer
When Salvatore Campofranco bought the 92,000-square-foot office building at 372 Danbury Road in Wilton in 2008, he knew it would require major improvements. Now, that $2.7 million makeover is paying dividends, with the recent arrival of three businesses and the anticipated addition of a fourth next month. “When I bought the building, I knew it would be perfect for sophisticated, well-financed boutique businesses,” said Campofranco, head of Luzern Associates LLC. “These firms represent the kind of cutting-edge tenants we wanted to attract with our full-scale renovation.”
With per-square-foot rental rates in the $28 range, the building is now 85 percent leased, about 5 percent better than the Class A occupancy rate in Fairfield County. Moving into 5,842 square feet around June 1 will be the New Zealand Lamb Cooperative Inc. The company, which imports lamb products from New Zealand, is relocating from another building in Wilton. “Our lease was up, and this is a good fit. Sal has done a great job of improving the building,” said Sales Manager Marybeth Laleman, one of a staff of 16. “It was important for us to stay within the community. It’s a commitment.”
Ruckus Media Group, an independent family entertainment company, occupied 2,665 square feet in April, relocating from Norwalk. Ruckus creates applications for mobile devices targeting toddlers to teens and is a provider of 15 children’s book applications. Cannondale Investments, which acquires and invests in data-enabled information and marketing services businesses, moved into 1,804 square feet in March. The new venture, backed by private equity firm GTCR Golden Runner LLC, is led by executives from Time Warner/AOL, Greenfield Online Inc. and Venture Development Center.
Preceding them in the fall of 2010 was DirayTV, which leased 6,630 square feet. The media buying agency relocated from a smaller space in Wilton. “Our company is growing and our office space needs are specific,” said Diray owner Tricia Ruddy, in prepared comments, pleased with Campofranco’s ability to accommodate her requests. “As a tenant, that is the kind of professional relationship you want to find and cultivate.”