Thursday, October 23, 2014, 11:56am

By Steve Adams

Banker & Tradesman Staff

Owners of James Hook & Co. would preserve their working seafood pound on the Boston waterfront while adding a 285-foot-tall residential tower under designs unveiled Wednesday.

William Zielinski, a principal at developer SKW Partners Inc., said the Hook family considered other uses, including offices and hotels before settling on a residential tower - either apartments or condos - for the half-acre site at the corner of Northern and Atlantic avenues.

"They will remain and look forward to seeing their business reunited and expanded," Zielinski said.

The original building where the fourth-generation seafood wholesaler operated was destroyed by fire in 2008. Since then, the business has been operating out of temporary buildings that would be removed to make way for the new development.

The seafood market, wholesale business and sit-down restaurant with outdoor seating on the harbor side would occupy 9,000 square feet on the ground floor of the new building.

"We've got plenty of permeability and light and air around the building," architect David Manfredi said.

The presentation took place during a meeting of the Downtown Waterfront Municipal Harbor Planning Advisory Committee, which is advising the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) on development along the central waterfront.

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Hook Lobster Redevelopment: Residential Tower, Sit-Down Restaurant

October 23, 2014

Deal Watch Today

Weeks after downtown Hartford's distressed CityPlace II skyscraper landed a new owner, a healthier office tower directly opposite 100 Pearl Street is on the sale block without an asking price.

Short Hills, N.J., landlord The Silverman Group is selling the 17-story building sheathed in sapphire-blue glass it bought two years ago, paying a reported $18 million cash for the tower at the northeast corner of Pearl and Trumbull that at the time was about two-thirds vacant.

A digital flyer circulating from the Hartford office of CBRE/New England, which has the listing, claims 100 Pearl's approximately 281,000 square feet is 99 percent leased. Corporate tenants include Virtus Investment Partners, Updike Kelly & Spellacy, Guilford Specialty Group, First Niagara, First National Title, Ricoh USA, Regus, Environ and Robert Half International, and the nonprofit Greater Hartford Arts Council.

According to the flyer, 100 Pearl Street offers a first-year in-place net operating income of $3.2 million annually, with few of its current leases due to expire in the short term. Its underground parking garage yields another $600,000 in revenue a year.

Silverman has invested some $2.3 million in the building, the flyer says. Those include a revamped main entryway and six-story foyer, with concierge station. Other additions include an expanded fitness suite and fourth-floor caf area with a pool table and flat-screen TVs.

The building debuted in 1989 and for a time was headquarters for former Mechanics Savings Bank, now part of Webster Bank.

Officials with The Silverman Group and CBRE/New England did not immediately return calls Thursday for comment.

Listing of 100 Pearl comes just two months after a Monroe, N.Y. investment group paid $20.6 million for CityPlace II, 185 Asylum St., at a foreclosure auction in August. That building was previously owned by Northland Investment Corp.

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Hartford's 100 Pearl skyscraper for sale

Restoration Hardware Holdings, the home-furnishings retailer, has signed a 15-year lease to take the building at 9-19 Ninth Avenue. BKSK Architects LLP and Wormser + Associates Architects will lead the redesign.

The two-story structure will be renovated and expanded with three additional floors to create about 70,000 square feet of space. The original structure has gone through several changes and additions, including housing stables, a parking garage, and a marketplace.

The plans for the building call for a metal and glass exterior screen. Framing the textured glass, these metal sections echo the canopies, fire escapes, and signs that once hung off buildings in the neighborhood. Once construction completes, the building will have a wraparound terrace on the third floor and a large outdoor space on the fifth floor.

Restoration Hardwares largest store format averages 21,600 square feet, and the company is beginning to introduce large gallery stores that range from 25,000 to 60,000 square feet.

The rest is here:
Restoration Hardware Moves into the Meatpacking District

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By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Early next month, gamblers who want to try their hand at poker will be able to have a seat inside Philadelphias first poker room.

Today, crews began unloading poker tables at the Sugarhouse Casino, near the Delaware riverfront.

Sugarhouse general manager Wendy Hamilton, game for anything, grabbed some bolt cutters, flexed her muscles, then broke the seal on the back of one tractor-trailer.

Then, poker tables were unloaded and wheeled into Sugarhouses interim poker room, located on the south side of the property, facing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

We found a way to put this temporary structure up, just in the meantime, Hamilton says. This will house 24 poker tables, so thats 240 playing positions, she says.

The temporary facility will be in place only until their permanent poker room opens, part of a $164-million expansion that includes new event space, restaurants, and a parking garage.

Itll be a very nice, elegant room, once we get into that permanent space, Hamilton tells KYW Newsradio.

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Tables Arrive as Sugarhouse Begins Assembling Its Poker Room

Sources told the publication that the show will air in a primetime slot, but it doesn't yet have a premiere date, nor is it clear how frequently the regular series will broadcast.

Since departing the 'Tonight Show', Jay has toured the US with his stand-up comedy show, hosted an awards show in Jerusalem and also seen his web series 'Jay's Garage' air on NBC.com, while CNBC aired a special, 'Jay's Garage: The Ultimate Car Week' recently.

The veteran broadcaster was reportedly courted by a number of other stations, including CNN, A&E, History and the Tribune but wanted to stay loyal to NBCUniversal.

CNBC - which, like NBC, is owned by NBCUniversal - is mainly known for financial news but has been trying to broaden its viewership with new additions to its programming such as financial game show 'Shark Tank' and reality programmes 'The Profit' and 'Restaurant Startup'.

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt had previously expressed his desire to have Jay remain with the network after he departed his long-running late night show, which is now fronted by Jimmy Fallon.

He said: "Nothing would make us happier than for him, a la Bob Hope, to still be a presence on the network."

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Jay Leno is close to finalising a return to TV.

From a Grade II-listed seaside cottage in Cornwall to a Georgian country house in Wales and two-bed Victorian flat in southwest London.

Barley Mount, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire. A Grade II-listed Georgian house with views of the Towy Valley towards the Brecon Beacons. The house has beamed ceilings, flagstone floors and open fireplaces. 3 beds, bath, 3 receps, breakfast kitchen, courtyard outbuildings, gardens, pastureland, 10 acres. 499,950 Savills 02920-368930. Gauden Road, London SW4. This top floor flat in a Victorian house is in a popular residential street close to Clapham High Street and Clapham Common with good transport connections and close to a range of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants. 2 beds, bath, recep, kitchen, leasehold. 499,950 Marsh & Parsons 020-7501 3666. Gray Cottage, Maugersbury, Gloucestershire. A traditional Cotswold stone cottage rebuilt in 1800 with an extension added in the 1970s. It has open fireplaces and views across the surrounding countryside and mature garden. 3 beds, bath, recep, breakfast kitchen, utility, cloakroom, gardens. 495,000 Butler Sherborn 01451-830731. Jasmine Cottage, Quay Road, Charlestown, Cornwall. A cottage that is part of a terrace of Grade II-listed cottages overlooking the harbour and village of Charlestown. It has period fireplaces, sash windows and front and rear gardens. 3 beds, bath, 2 receps, kitchen, outbuildings, summer house. 485,000 Savills 01872-243200. Kings Bank, Polstead Hill, Polstead, Suffolk. A Grade II-listed village house with open fireplaces, Aga woodburners and a breakfast kitchen with bi-folding doors overlooking the terrace. 3 beds, 2 baths, 2 receps, utility, garden room/workshop, cloakroom, small garage/store, garden. 475,000 Carter Jonas 01787-882881. Ousenstand, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria. A mid-19th-century, renovated farmhouse and attached unconverted barn, in an elevated position with views across the Eden Valley. It has wood floors and beamed ceilings. 4 beds, bath, 2 receps, kitchen, utility, garden, paddock, 1 acre. 485,000 PF&K 01768-862135. The Thatched Cottage, Streatley, Bedfordshire. A Grade II-listed cottage in a popular conservation area, dating from 1460 with later additions. It has exposed beams and brickwork, inglenook fireplaces and attractive cottage gardens. 3 beds, bath, 3 receps, study, kitchen, cloakroom, garage, gardens. 499,995 Strutt & Parker 01582-764343. West House, Thursby, Carlisle. A Grade II-listed, 19th century house on the edge of a village. It has period fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, sash windows and a large kitchen. 5 beds, 3 baths, 3 receps, study, open plan kitchen/living area, workshop, stores, garden, 0.5 acres. 550,000 Smiths Gore 01228-546400.

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Properties for around 500,000

Jay Leno is close to finalising a return to TV.

The 64-year-old presenter - who departed NBC's 'Tonight Show' in February after 22 years at the helm - is said to be negotiating a deal to host a show for cable network CNBC and, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the programme will focus on his long-time love of cars.

Sources told the publication that the show will air in a primetime slot, but it doesn't yet have a premiere date, nor is it clear how frequently the regular series will broadcast.

Since departing the 'Tonight Show', Jay has toured the US with his stand-up comedy show, hosted an awards show in Jerusalem and also seen his web series 'Jay's Garage' air on NBC.com, while CNBC aired a special, 'Jay's Garage: The Ultimate Car Week' recently.

The veteran broadcaster was reportedly courted by a number of other stations, including CNN, A&E, History and the Tribune but wanted to stay loyal to NBCUniversal.

CNBC - which, like NBC, is owned by NBCUniversal - is mainly known for financial news but has been trying to broaden its viewership with new additions to its programming such as financial game show 'Shark Tank' and reality programmes 'The Profit' and 'Restaurant Startup'.

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt had previously expressed his desire to have Jay remain with the network after he departed his long-running late night show, which is now fronted by Jimmy Fallon.

Read the rest here:
Jay Leno negotiating TV return

From the naked gardeners Garden of Eden in Wiltshire to a former medieval hospital with Grade II-listed gardens in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Abbey House, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. A Grade I-listed Tudor house with a garden created by the famous couple dubbed the naked gardeners after they created their own Garden of Eden naked. The garden is open to the public. 14 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen, secondary kitchen, library, studio, 4.5 acres. 3.5m Savills 01285-653101. Denham Lodge, Buckland Monachorum, Devon. A remodelled, extended 19th-century property set in the River Tavy valley. The gardens have a series of terraces stocked with mature specimen trees descending to the river, with single-bank fishing rights. 5 beds, 2 baths, 2 receps, study, breakfast kitchen, conservatory, indoor pool, garage, 2 acres. 1.1m Jackson-Stops & Staff 01392-214222. Duck Hill, North Salem, New York, US. An 1830s house surrounded by gardens created by expert gardener Page Dickey, including herb gardens, a rose garden, pool, guest house and wildflower meadow. 4 beds, 3 baths, 3 receps, kitchen, garage with flat above, greenhouse, 2.7 acres. 1.54m Houlihan Lawrence +1 914 610 6206. Latchetts, Danehill, West Sussex. A country house surrounded by grounds including eight acres of themed gardens that are part of the National Gardens Scheme. 6 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen, conservatory, garage with studio and 1-bed flat above, farm buildings, greenhouses, lake, 32 acres. 2.75m Savills 01444-446000. The Old Rectory, Dorsington, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire. A Grade II-listed, 18th-century house with 19th-century additions. The gardens include kitchen gardens framed by boxed hedges open to the public once a year as part of the National Gardens Scheme. 6 beds, 4 baths, 3 receps, study, tennis court, paddock, 3.5 acres. 1.35m Knight Frank 01789-297735. St Nicholas, Richmond, North Yorkshire. A Grade II-listed house originally founded as a hospital in 1172 with gardens that are Grade II-listed by English Heritage. 5 beds, dressing room, 5 baths, 3 receps, library, kitchen, vaulted cellars, 2-bed flat, 2-bed cottage, greenhouses, parkland, paddocks, woodland, 49 acres. 1.95m Knight Frank 01423-530088. Temperance Works, London SE11. A restored warehouse with a garden in excess of 6,000 square feet. The house has wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and glass roofs. 4 beds, 5 baths, 4 receps, guest house, parking. 4.25m Sothebys International Realty 020-7495 9580. Vine Cottage and Pear Tree Cottage, Owston, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. A pair of Grade II-listed restored houses in grounds that include a former coach house. Vine Cottage: 4 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, kitchen. Pear Tree Cottage: 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen, dining room with vaulted ceiling. 2.5 acres. 1m Carter Jonas 0113-203 1090.

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Properties with exceptional gardens

If you base a towns status on its breweries, Steamboat is in good standing, with Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill, Butcherknife Brewing Co. and Storm Peak Brewing Co. all calling the Yampa Valley home. Below are the two most recent additions to the local brewing scene.

Of water and wort

Butcherknife Brewing Co.

Butcherknife Brewing Co. founders Mark Fitzgerald and Nathan Johansing began serving small home-brewed batches of beer in 2011, donating a large percentage to local charities and fundraisers. Now theyve opened up full time in a 4,000-square-foot brewery with a tap room complete with large tasting room and two garage doors opening to a patio at 2875 Elk River Road.

Right now the brewery produces 60 kegs every 20 days. Fitzgerald said, adding that its beer can be found in such local establishments as Carls Tavern and The Tap House Sports Grill. But the majority of our beer is sold through bottles and cans.

The brewery prides itself on its recipes, attention to detail and good ol Steamboat water. Its the best water in Colorado, Fitzgerald said. Our location provides us first use off the Continental Divide, which means pure, clean water goes into the heart of every batch.

It also helps to have Johansing on board, who earned his masters degree in brewing from the Siebel Institute of Technology and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany.

Were thrilled to finally deliver our beer to Steamboat, Fitzgerald said, adding that they plan to deliver more than 1,000 barrels in its first year of operation.

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Move to Steamboat: Business Snapshot Beer Breweries

The Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee continues to schedule a full slate of events. A tavern tour at the historic National Hotel in Frenchtown is on tap for this Saturday, Oct. 11. For tickets, call 908-788-2020.

Originally built in 1833, the hotel was a 19th-century stagecoach stop, according to the National Hotel history website. The original building on the site was a smaller inn, called "The Sign of the Buck," built by Samuel Powers. It was rebuilt in 1850, renamed "The National Hotel" or "Upper Hotel" by its owner, Robert L. Williams, when the railroad came to town. The Postal Annex on the site was a blacksmith shop, hotel stable, 15-car garage, saloon and billiard parlor, horse shed and restaurant. Additions to the building were made in the 1890s.

Any wayfarer in Hunterdon will notice many longstanding churches dotting the landscape. On Oct. 14, the Tricentennial Committee will host "Less Stately Mansions: The Historic Churches of Hunterdon County, in Building No. 1 at the county complex at 314 state Route 12. Admission is free.

Historian Frank Greenagels powerpoint exploration will focus on the architectural styles, historic roots and interesting and quirky facts about the churches. Following the presentation, Dr. Greenagel will sign the tricentennial edition of his book "Less Stately Mansions," which will be available for sale. This is the companion lecture for the bus tour that will visit some of these churches Oct.18.

General Daniel Morgan, born in Bethlehem Township, fought in the Revolutionary War and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He will be the subject of a talk by Kingwood Township historian Sal DeSapio at the north branch of the county library system, at 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Admission is free.

Governor Reading was one of the founders and trustees of the original College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University.

Just in time for Halloween, author Gordon Thomas Ward will present a spooky and scary discussion from the stories found in his book, "Ghosts of Central Jersey." He cautions that these tales may be too scary for children under the age of 13. Refreshments follow.

For information and to sign up for upcoming tricentennial events, go to http://www.hunterdon300th.org.

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FRENCHTOWN: Next 300th event is tavern tour