Stamford's 707 Summer wins TOBY award.

Stamford's 707 Summer St., a building managed by Albert B. Ashforth, Inc., was honored with a prestigious Office Building of the Year award by Southern Connecticut Chapter of the Building Owner & Managers Association. The award was given in the category that included buildings up to 100,000 s/f in size.

The TOBY is awarded on the basis of building management staffing, tenant services, amenities, community involvement and building presentation. Last year 707 Summer St., a 73,785 s/f office building located in downtown Stamford, Conn., underwent a $2.5 million renovation, including extensive operating, aesthetic and systems improvements. Features include a new front entrance, dramatic upgrades to all common areas, a new first floor concierge/security console, new exterior and interior lighting and a new cooling tower, roof and building management system to provide for a more comfortable work environment. Security upgrades at the building include a state-of-the-art security system and electronic surveillance, card access and live security personnel in the lobby. The exterior grounds and parking garage lighting were also enhanced.

"We're proud of this award. It confirms that these major renovations by Ashforth greatly enhance this convenient downtown property and offer tenants quality, class A space and great value at competitive rates," said Robert Hartt, executive vice president of Albert B. Ashforth, Inc.--Management Services.

"It is a well maintained and serviced building in downtown Stamford where our clients enjoy the downtown area amenities."

707 Summer St. also sponsors events specifically for the benefit of those who work at the complex, including welcome breakfasts for new tenants, an ice-cream social and community-based programs such as the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days, clothing drives, Supplies for Success--a Back-to-School Drive and The Bennett Cancer Center WALK. A building website (www.707summerstreet.com) keeps clients updated on building activities, while a client satisfaction survey provides feedback to management and the buildings' owner.

"Client satisfaction is one of our primary goals and as a result we are continuously looking for ways to improve the building," said Hartt. "For instance, we have installed a automatic external defibrillators, which can be used if a person is suffering from cardiac arrest."

Key tenants in the building include the Ashforth Company, Albert B. Ashforth, Inc--Corporate Real Estate Brokerage, Albert B. Ashforth, Inc.--Management Services, A.P. Construction Company, Ticor Title and Sandak, Hennessey & Greco.