When Robert Laraia’s wealth management firm, NorthStar Wealth Partners, grew too big for its Newington office space in 2008, he searched several nearby towns and cities for a new home.
Downtown Hartford was in the mix, but Laraia and his team eventually settled on 
space at West Hartford’s Town Center office building on South Main Street, located near Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center.
Laraia said the town’s affluent demographics and the buzz created from the vibrant retail and restaurant scene nearby made the location attractive.
“We saw a lot of upside in growing our business here,” said Laraia, who also lives in town. “It’s really the address to be.”
While many of Greater Hartford’s cities and towns continue to struggle with high office vacancy rates, West Hartford has been a bright spot in the market, largely maintaining its ability to attract and maintain tenants at a time when many employers have pulled back on office space in recent years.
The offic