Newly Designed Raphael Building Gets Tenants
By Editor at June 10, 2024 | 7:00 am | Print
It didn’t take long for Jasko Development to make huge progress to a City eyesore.
This past March, the building at 87-105 West Main St. known as the Raphael Building was foreclosed upon. Many long time businesses occupied the property, but the building was in bad shape with little heat, leaking roofs and windows and siding falling apart.
“We pursued the property a long time,” said Avner Krohn of Jasko Development. “We got it in foreclosure in March and started construction in April.”
The construction involved not only fixing the building, but giving it a storefront that fit in with the historic aspects of the City.
“We wanted to make downtown attractive. We spent 300 percent more by putting in historic storefronts into the property and people say it’s amazing,” said Krohn. “It looks as nice as West Hartford. The architectural unique aspect of downtown New Britain should be shown off.”
Krohn is enjoying watching the work progress spending a large amount of time overseeing the job.
“It’s very exciting for me to change any entire block,” said Krohn. “It will be complete in the next few weeks. So far we are getting interest from outside the city of New Britain and it is those who are specifically looking to move into downtown.”
The first tenant – West Main Dental – moved into a 2,500 square foot space this week.
A second tenant, a hair salon, is scheduled to move in within the next two weeks.
“If every businesses brings 5 to 10 employees and we fill up 8 stores, then there will be 40-80 new people working in downtown,” said Krohn. “That will attract new business. These people will walk in downtown and spend income downtown due to the convenience. There will be a whole lot of synergy.”
Available space in the building runs from 970 feet to 2,900 feet and fits the needs for medical, retail and professional offices.
“There is a change of attitude towards New Britain,” said Krohn. “People specifically want to be in downtown. It’s a very exciting time for New Britain with the new police department being built and the Busway coming.”
Krohn said those things attract businesses to the City.
“The City business administration is one that we can work with,” he added. “The Mayor (Timothy Stewart) is supportive of our projects.”
