Bridgeport architectural firm opens office at Merritt 7 in Norwalk

Competition has always been stiff for interior design and architectural firms in Fairfield County, but a long-established Bridgeport practice expects to expand its client list by opening a branch office in Norwalk.

Bridgeport-based Antinozzi Associates has opened an office at Merritt 7 Corporate Park where the firm has been retained for on-call design services at the 1.5-million-square-foot office park.

The Norwalk office is located in 650 square feet in the plaza level of Building 301 at Merritt 7, across from its property management company, Marcus Partners.

Antinozzi, founded 56 years ago in Stratford, was selected by Marcus Partners in a competition with several other firms.

The firm's management saw the contract as a way to expand its offerings and corporate business portfolio in the lower part of the county, said George Perham, vice president and principal-in-charge of corporate and interiors contracts for the firm.

"This new office provides many advantages," said Perham, a Stratford resident who will lead the new office. "By being part of the Merritt 7 Corporate Park family, management and tenants can reach us easily on site, without needing to make a phone call or arrange a meeting."

Joining Perham at the Norwalk office will be Naugatuck resident and head designer Stephanie Barbagiovanni, a nine-year employee and a registered interior designer.

"I look forward to getting actively engaged with the local Norwalk community, as well as helping our firm become a key design contributor in the surrounding area," she said.

New Haven resident Jamie Curtin, a recent graduate of Paier College of Art, joined the firm to work in the Norwalk office and handle design duties.

The Norwalk office has access to the 30-person staff at Antinozzi's Bridgeport main office.

"This will open up an avenue for us get to municipalities and other organizations in the area," Perham said, adding that having a presence in a community is crucial for obtaining contracts.

Clarion Partners, a private equity real estate management firm, bought Albert D. Phelps' share in the office complex last May, and named Boston-based Marcus Partners as the leasing agent.

It is the first time that Merritt 7 management has sought out an architectural firm to serve its tenants, said JoAnne McGrath, leasing director of the 1.4-million-square-foot office complex.

"They work with us and help tenants understand how they will fit into space based on their needs," she said. "They're right there on site, and it's more convenient for tenants. They're not forced to use Antinozzi."

Marcus Partners has brought in Sodexo Inc. to manage the cafeteria at the complex, which has nearly 60 tenants and is 90 percent occupied.

The arrival of Antinozzi in late December precedes the location of a 1,700-square-foot Starbucks Coffee shop in the lobby of Building 501, scheduled to open in June.