“Imagine having a stalwart of the community leave to go to the suburbs, and then return, several years later, after seeing the turnaround that’s going on in Bridgeport. That’s exactly what’s happening with Fletcher Thompson. They’re bringing economic investment and jobs into a revitalized building that sits in the heart of our improving downtown.” – Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
Bridgeport, Conn. (December 30, 2014) – Fletcher-Thompson, a leading architecture and engineering firm that, in 1909, was founded in Bridgeport but moved away in 2002, has officially returned home. The firm moved its new corporate headquarters to Forstone Capital’s Mechanics & Farmers Bank Building (930 Main Street) in downtown Bridgeport, where it is housing nearly 60 new Park City based jobs.
“We couldn’t be prouder to have Fletcher Thompson returning to its roots in downtown Bridgeport,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “Imagine having a stalwart of the community leave to go to the suburbs, and then return, several years later after seeing the turnaround that’s going on in Bridgeport. That’s exactly what’s happening with Fletcher Thompson. They’re bringing economic investment and jobs into a revitalized building that sits in the heart of our improving downtown.”
Fletcher-Thompson has offices in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The firm currently has more than 100 employees and is looking to expand.
“Bridgeport is our heritage and we’re happy to be back here after being away for more than ten years,” said Mike Marcinek, Managing Partner at Fletcher-Thompson. “It’s been a great process getting our new headquarters up and running. It’s also been wonderful creating our own environment in this beautiful building where we are now housing our corporate headquarters. We’re proud to be part of the historic fabric of downtown Bridgeport.”
Forstone Capital’s Mechanics & Farmers Bank Building initially opened in 1930. The building served as home to Mechanics & Farmers until the bank folded in 1991. More than a decade later, Forstone Capital purchased the building.
As part of Forstone’s renovation of the 40,000 square foot building, they decided to develop the first floor as 25,000 square feet of office space, which is now occupied by Fletcher-Thompson. The second and third floors of the building – titled Landmark – consist of 30 new apartments, which are completely occupied.
"As a major stakeholder in the downtown, to have a company like Fletcher-Thompson move into downtown is a great thing," said Brett Wilderman, Principal at Forstone Capital. "It allows us to move forward with the redevelopment and will put more feet on the street to use the retail operations.”
Fletcher Thompson is one of many companies coming to Bridgeport, Conn. due to a better business environment. Others include: Boat Locker, DeYulio Sausage, Row America, Sports Authority, Starbucks, Chipotle, Bass Pro Shops, and more.