HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) today announced that it has completed the move into its new corporate headquarters at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Conn.
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"We are excited to expand NU's commitment to downtown Hartford and to be part of the positive momentum in the city," said Charles W. Shivery, NU chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With this relocation, we've made a long-term commitment to Hartford and the state of Connecticut."
Governor M. Jodi Rell said, "We continue to focus on three things in Connecticut, and that's jobs, jobs, jobs. The continued growth of NU adds new luster to downtown and bodes well for the overall strength of Connecticut's economy. NU's decision to relocate its headquarters in Hartford is a strong affirmation of the talent and professionalism of its workforce and the competitiveness of our capital city as a headquarters location. On behalf of the state of Connecticut, I welcome NU to Hartford."
"Today, Hartford takes great pride in welcoming NU as the fifth Fortune 500 company to be based in our city," said Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez. "NU is an important economic development partner for the city, region and state of Connecticut. Its relocation contributes to our revitalization, creating new jobs, and is just another example that Hartford is 'Open for Business.'"
"The MetroHartford Alliance is delighted to officially welcome NU to downtown Hartford today," said Oz Griebel, president, MetroHartford Alliance. "It is great news that despite today's economic climate, NU - a Connecticut-based company - moved people into Hartford, demonstrating once again that downtown remains a desirable location to do business. I am very pleased that this growth is not coming at the expense of the NU campus in Berlin, making it mutually beneficial and rewarding for both cities."
Kate Bolduc, chief executive officer, Greater Hartford Arts Council, welcomed NU. "First and foremost, we're thrilled to welcome NU and its people to downtown Hartford," she said. "NU and its Connecticut companies, Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas, have been passionate supporters of the arts for decades. We are delighted to have NU add to the lively spirit of Hartford's central business district."
In addition to relocating 167 employees from NU's executive offices and corporate functions, a walk-in Customer Care Center will also open at 56 Prospect Street, improving access for CL&P and Yankee Gas customers.
The 143,000-square-foot facility resides on the grounds of the former Parsons Theater, which opened in 1896 before being demolished in 1932 to make way for the offices of the Hartford Steam Boiler Company. The building was later sold to the Travelers Insurance Company, which expanded the building in 1964. Twenty years later, the Phoenix Companies bought the facility and renovated the site, including enclosing the center courtyard. In December 2008, NU purchased the building from the Phoenix Companies and made renovations to upgrade systems and portions of the building's office space.
The materials used in the renovation were carefully selected to be environmentally friendly and minimize the depletion of natural resources. NU used low-emissions paints, carpeting containing 40 percent recycled content, workstation and chair fabrics that are made from sustainable design materials and digitally controlled HVAC systems to allow for remote monitoring and control to maximize efficiencies of lighting and comfort systems.
NU's suburban campus, located at 107 Selden Street in Berlin, Conn., remains fully utilized by employees from companies and businesses of NU. It continues to be the headquarters of Connecticut Light & Power, Yankee Gas and NU Transmission.
Northeast Utilities, a Fortune 500 and Standard & Poor's 500 energy company with headquarters in Connecticut, operates New England's largest energy delivery system. NU is committed to safety, reliability, environmental leadership and stewardship, and expanding energy options for its more than 2 million electric and natural gas customers. For more information on Northeast Utilities and its subsidiaries, visit www.nu.com.
SOURCE Northeast Utilities
