unlocking new visions & creating value by turning “what ifs” into “why nots”

New Canaan Advisors LLC is a leading Northeastern U.S. real estate advisory firm that provides public and private organizations with a unique resource for transforming underutilized assets and facilities into new strategic opportunities. In short, we bring “real value to your real estate holdings”.

We help meet your evolving needs as a “trusted advisor” taking away the stress of managing all elements of your real estate redevelopment planning and implementation process.

Our Leader

Curt Battles
Chief Advisor/CEO

New Canaan Advisors LLC (“NCA”) was founded in 2008 by Curtis C. Battles and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. NCA is a business/real estate advisory firm that provides public and private organizations with a unique resource for transforming underutilized assets and facilities into new opportunities. 

Curt specializes in helping public/private partnerships reinvigorate properties and transform undervalued assets into vibrant commercial projects that breathe new life into urban locations. He leads complex teams to implement a common vision despite divergent agendas among multiple stakeholders. In short, we bring “real value to your real estate holdings.”

Services

Seed Stage

Establish Strategic Vision

Develop overall strategic vision and project goals

  • Project Visioning
  • Highest and Best Use Studies
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Value Enhancement Strategies
  • Sprout Stage

    Determine Main Options

    Identify range of alternatives that propel vision forward

  • Operating Structures
  • Public/Private Partnerships
  • Developer Selection
  • Innovative Financing
  • Sapling Stage

    Oversee Implementation

    Consolidate all details into a comprehensive plan

  • Project Oversight
  • Operating Budget
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Operational Efficiencies
  • Tree Stage

    Manage Long-Term Returns

    Measure success against initial critical benchmarks

  • Stakeholder Interface
  • Portfolio Oversight
  • Reinvestment Strategies
  • Cost Management
  • Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Program

    THE IRS OWES YOU MONEY!

    Our NCA team is assisting institutions, like yours, that were able to retain their faculty and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a government-sponsored stimulus program through the CARES Act.

    This stimulus program is a refundable tax credit – a grant, not a loan – that your university can claim. The program is based on qualified wages and healthcare-paid employees and can return up to $26,000 per W-2 employee on staff in 2020 & 2021.

    Please reach out to me at 203.918.7780 and I look forward to helping you with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

    Featured Projects

    Brewery Adventure Tour App (BAT App)

    The Brewery Adventure Tour App (“BAT App”), Helps You Discover and Create Itineraries at Craft Breweries Locally and Across the Country Showing Events, Food Offerings and Music at Each Venue

    The BAT App is a geotargeted product, focused on those craft beer lovers that are also road warriors. As soon as the user opens the app, you will see information about the craft breweries in your immediate vicinity and proximity of your desired location, typically within a 25-mile radius.

    The BAT App lets you easily plan customized tour itineraries for your squad, identify breweries to meet up and catchup with friends, or to plan a pub crawl, or a simple way to stay in touch via social media and save your favorite breweries for further discovery.

    CHICAGO UNION STATION

    Breathing new life into a classic station requires a unique vision!

    Provided development management, leasing, property management and financing for $250M redevelopment of station, designed by Daniel Burnham in early 1900’s, and addition of an 18-story tower.

    Project components included a 320-room upscale hotel, 80,000 square feet of destination retail, 610,000 square feet of Class A office space, and 225 luxury condominium units.

    DENVER UNION STATION

    Reimagining a classic station requires a special visioning process!

    Beginning in 2002, the Regional Transit Authority needed the services of an expert multi-disciplinary team to prepare a global approach for a new mixed-use intermodal transportation centered around landmarked Union Station.

    Our team evaluated thirty alternatives and two preferred alternatives have been included in the final approved Master Plan. This 18 month effort also included assessing alternative public private governance and financial structures.

    FULTON STREET TRANSIT CENTER

    Creating the 21st Century Transportation Hub is a unique challenge!

    Beginning in 2004, the MTA commenced this $1.4 Billion project to unite 11 separate subway a unified transit facility at Fulton Street. The new four story facility includes 25,000 SF of mixed-use and retail space with targeted opening of June 2014.

    Our team is assisting this effort by working closely with the MTA to help create a Public/Private Partnership under a single Master Lease for entire site. This effort also includes implementing innovative techniques to maximize net revenue for the Agency.

    GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

    Saving a “World Famous” Train Station is no easy job!

    Beginning in 1997, Grand Central Terminal in NYC experienced a $200 Million total restoration over a three-year period.

    Our team assisted this effort by designing and implementing a new special events program for Vanderbilt Hall (former Main Waiting Room) to revitalize and reinvigorate this underutilized 10,000 SF space and generate over $1.5 MM in annual incremental revenue.

    HOUSTON METRO

    Creating a new light rail system “hub” involves specialized skills!

    In 2009, METRO Solutions was considering expansion of its existing light rail system and development of a new Northern Intermodal Terminal including “Great Space” north of Downtown Houston.

    Our team focused on transit-oriented aspects of the project with emphasis on master planning, market assessments, financial analysis, “right of way” negotiations and innovative operating structures to enhance project value.

    WASHINGTON UNION STATION

    Saving a Grand Public Space demands an exceptional imagination!

    In 1988, after years of vacancy and deterioration, the building was completely refurbished at cost in excess of $175 MM. This included a new merchandising plan with over 120 stores, restaurants, cafes and a movie cinema providing more than 210,000 square feet of retail space.

    Our team arranged equity financing, interim and permanent debt financing, coordinated construction management, space leasing and property management services.

    NJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

    Creating a new urban University experience requires unique vision!

    New Jersey Institute of Technology has commenced the planning stage for the University’s Campus Gateway Initiative. This is a multifaceted plan that will revitalize the campus and enhance community life both in and around the university grounds.

    Our team conducted extensive stakeholder survey and interview process examining the desired mix of services and amenities in creating a 1.5 million SF “college town” center. The end result was delivery of a Conceptual Master Plan highlighting prime locations for redevelopment along with a detailed financial assessment.

    RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

    Accommodating a growing University population requires a special viewpoint!

    Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey needed to evaluate their real estate holdings for Highest and Best Use of their campus and housing.

    Our team conducted extensive stakeholders interview examining market demand across several product types while validating development costs. The end result was creating a set of conceptual plans for the target site along with pro-forma financials that ascribed a residual land value for each concept.

    FISH CHURCH

    Saving a local landmark is no simple task!

    Since 1854, the First Presbyterian Church has served Stamford community. This 10 acre campus has housed this innovative and inclusive congregation since 1954.

    Our team recently assisted in evaluating alternatives for developing a parcel of of under used property to help secure the church’s long-term financial security. The concept is to enhance the local community through a mixed-use facility that supports numerous diverse local populations.