BLT Announces Enhanced Programming for Public Spaces at Harbor Point

From Building and Land Technology:

Building and Land Technology (BLT) has announced the engagement of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV) to assist in the development and activation of the more than 12 acres of public open space in Harbor Point, including Commons Park, Harbor Point Square and the Harbor Point Boardwalk. BRV is a world-class firm, best known for its successful program to revitalize Bryant Park in New York City, and will collaborate with BLT, City officials and community members to expand and refine Harbor Point’s existing slate of public events and recreational offerings in its parks and boardwalks.

“When we first got involved in Harbor Point, we adopted the vision of the city and community of a transformative mixed-use waterfront development providing active public spaces and complementing other neighborhoods of the city. Our development plans have always been designed to invite residents and visitors alike to come and simply enjoy life by the harbor in Stamford,” said Carl R. Kuehner, III, CEO of BLT. “We have made tremendous strides in bringing the vision to life, not only through the successful development of property, but also through thoughtful event programming and encouragement of restaurant and retail growth. It takes more than buildings to make a neighborhood. Dan Biederman and his team share this view, and we are thrilled to have them help us build on the progress we’ve made here at Harbor Point as well as to enhance our connections to Downtown Stamford, Mill River Park and other areas that define our great city.”

At Harbor Point, BRV and BLT will initially work to enliven Harbor Point’s parks and public spaces in 2016 with innovative programming and events. BRV and BLT are also collaborating on streetscape improvements, including signage, lighting and landscaping, to provide a more cohesive experience for residents and visitors.

“We have held productive discussions with BLT, Harbor Point residents and business owners as well as City and community stakeholders regarding further activation and improvement of Harbor Point, which we expect will strengthen the fabric of Stamford as a whole,” said Dan Biederman, president of BRV. “Their ideas are exciting, and we look forward to bringing these concepts to life starting this summer.”

“After all the hard work that BLT, the city and the community have done to make Harbor Point a true destination with a unique sense of place and a stellar location on Long Island Sound, there’s an incredible opportunity to build momentum here,” Mr. Biederman said. “The demand for great urban spaces is not limited to the largest cities. A new generation is looking for exciting things to do and places to go in cities, and our efforts with BLT will be our concerted effort to tap into that demand at Harbor Point.”

Harbor Point has tremendous natural attributes as a public destination. The 100-acre site, situated immediately south of the Stamford Train Station along Stamford Harbor, encompasses office, retail and residential buildings set within an attractive waterfront environment with abundant public space. In addition to the original 80 acres that make up Harbor Point, BLT owns several adjacent properties in the South End, including the recently acquired 1 Elmcroft Rd. Formerly the headquarters of Pitney-Bowes, the property has been rebranded as Silicon Harbor, and BLT is embarking on a transformation of this 500,000-square-foot facility overlooking Long Island Sound into tech-oriented modern office space.

Harbor Point is also home to more than 2,360 luxury residential apartments in nine buildings. They range from historic lofts to waterfront high rise residences with panoramic views of Long Island Sound and the Manhattan skyline. The residential experience in Harbor Point offers abundant amenities such as shuttle service, concierge, pool decks with grills and fire pits, fitness center, roof top lounge, billiard room, club room, covered parking and a pet-friendly environment. Harbor Point residents are surrounded by acres of beautifully appointed parks, walking paths and waterfront promenades that connect the various communities. Residents can also enjoy the nearby Kosciuszko Park, which offers two large ball fields, playgrounds and a waterfront jogging path. Waterfront access abounds with kayak and paddleboard rentals, harbor cruises, a water taxi and four marinas accommodating yachts ranging in size from 20 feet to more than 100 feet.

In addition to office and residential property, Harbor Point offers a wide range of restaurant and retail opportunities for residents, office tenants and visitors. The food scene features numerous restaurants including new additions Bareburger, Prime, Fortina and Boothbay Lobster Company as well as favorites, such as Paloma, World of Beer, Sign of the Whale, Crab Shell, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Corbo’s Southside Deli, Subway, Robeks Fruit Smoothies, Harlan Social, Asian Bistro and Le Pain Quotidien. Retail offerings includes Exhale Mind Body Fitness, Pinot’s Palette, Fairway Market, CVS, Walgreens, Go Green Dry Cleaners, Fairway Wines & Spirits, Design Within Reach, Harbor Point Nails, Style Bar Salon, Harbor Point Dental, Spot Experience Canine Club and First Niagara Bank.