Press Release: LAZ Investments, Greenwich Realty Partners and Olymbec Acquire Hartford's Iconic "Stilts Building"
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Mary Brennan Coursey
Aug 7, 2026, 5:22:28 PM (13 hours ago) Aug 7
to Mary Brennan Coursey
Download full resolution images
Available until Sep 6, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Mary Coursey
LAZ Investments, Greenwich Realty Partners and Olymbec Acquire Hartford's Iconic "Stilts Building"
Acquisition of 20 Church Street builds on LAZ Investments' momentum in office lease-up following success at One Financial Plaza, the “Gold Building”.
HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 7, 2026 — LAZ Investments, in partnership with Greenwich Realty Partners and Olymbec, announced today the acquisition of 20 Church Street, widely known as the Stilts Building. The partnership merges LAZ’s deep Hartford roots with Greenwich Realty Partners’ significant office portfolio and Olymbec’s sizable North American real estate portfolio. Building on the momentum from successfully leasing over 250,000 SF at One Financial Plaza, the “Gold Building,” over the past several years, the partnership looks to replicate that success at the Stilts Building.
Alan Lazowski, Chairman and CEO of LAZ Investments and LAZ Parking, said, "LAZ Investments is already a major investor in a broad range of downtown real estate, including office buildings, apartments, parking lots and garages. The acquisition of 20 Church is a natural extension of that commitment. Hartford is home to me and my family, my LAZ family, and my businesses, and we care deeply about the success of our capital city. At the end of the day, LAZ is a people-first company — that means building spaces where people want to live and work, and we are fully committed to standing behind the community that has supported us for decades."
LAZ Investments' history with 20 Church Street dates back decades: LAZ Parking was a tenant in the building in the late 1980s and early 1990s, giving the ownership group a long-standing familiarity with the property and the market it serves.
“Our acquisition of 20 Church Street reflects our continued confidence in Hartford and our commitment to investing in the city’s future,” says Kelsey Stern Buchbinder, Director of Leasing at Olymbec. “As local owners, we believe the best days for downtown Hartford are ahead, and we’re proud to expand our presence here alongside LAZ Investments, whose passion for the city and proven stewardship make them an outstanding partner. With ownership of 960 Main Street—the historic former G. Fox building—directly across from the Stilts Building, along with additional properties throughout East Hartford and Glastonbury, we are deeply invested in the long-term success of Greater Hartford. The opportunity to play a role in the future of two of downtown Hartford’s most iconic landmarks is both a privilege and a responsibility that we take seriously. We look forward to delivering a first-class experience for our tenants while helping strengthen the downtown business community.”
Ownership plans to further enhance the property through targeted amenity upgrades and tenant improvements, positioning the building to meet the needs of today's office tenants.
"The Stilts Building is an iconic, high-quality Class A property. We look forward to working with our partners at Shelbourne Diversified who will be returning to oversee the daily management of the property," said Jane Davey, Director of Asset Management and Acquisitions at LAZ Investments. "
With multiple office towers in downtown Hartford facing various forms of financial stress, the ownership group is well positioned to capture quality tenants seeking stability and a dynamic tenant experience.
###
About 20 Church Street/Stilts Building
Built in 1981 by Olympia & York, 20 Church Street is an award-winning Connecticut landmark known as the "Stilts Building" for its distinctive angled support beams, which are dramatically lit at night and visible throughout downtown Hartford. The 23-story, 420,000 square foot tower has remained one of New England's most recognizable structures since its completion. A recent building-wide renovation has made it a premier destination for corporate and professional offices, with amenities to match its high-level tenants.
About LAZ Investments
LAZ Investments is the family office investment arm of Alan Lazowski, Chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking, which he co-founded in 1981 while attending the University of Connecticut. LAZ Parking has grown into a national parking management, transportation, and mobility company with managed revenue exceeding $3.0 billion and more than 22,000 employees. LAZ Investments is a real estate and private equity firm that has participated in over 10 million square feet of commercial real estate transactions over the past 20 years and has helped seed, invest in, and mentor numerous start-ups and later-stage companies as a long-term strategic partner. LAZ Investments and LAZ Parking are "conscious capitalist" companies committed to elevating humanity through business.
About Greenwich Realty Partners
Greenwich Realty Partners is a real estate acquisitions and development platform focused on complex transactions across major property types, including multifamily, office, industrial, hospitality, data centers, and healthcare. The firm is powered by LAZ Investments and GPG — comprised of the executive-level employees of Shelbourne Global Solutions, LLC — who bring more than 15 years of extensive experience planning and executing dozens of Hartford-based projects. This collaboration brings institutional-caliber underwriting, operational experience, and long-standing real estate relationships to every execution.
About Olymbec
Founded in Montreal in 1975 by Edward Stern, Olymbec is a privately owned real estate investment, development, and management company with a diversified portfolio across Canada and the United States. For more than a decade, the company has expanded its presence in the Greater Hartford market, pursuing a long-term investment strategy focused on acquiring, repositioning, and professionally managing high-quality commercial real estate. The company’s Hartford operations are led by Kelsey Stern Buchbinder, representing the third generation of the Stern family in the business.
The content of this e-mail (including any attachments) is strictly confidential and may be commercially sensitive. If you are not, or believe you may not be, the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this e-mail and destroy any copies.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages