Private equity firms, restaurants, biotechs, video game companies, marketing firms moving into Downtown New Haven

Residents, high-end business firms, and retail operations are increasingly drawn to Downtown New Haven's walkability and urban vitality. Class A office rents in New Haven are now approaching $30 as Yale University and other users continue to expand. An integrated marketing firm with clients including GE, IBM, Bic, Oxford Health, MasterCard and the New York Times recently leased the entire floor of a large building on Chapel Street. Venture Capital investments grew significantly in 2007, with a large proportion of the hundreds of millions of dollars in regional investment going to New Haven rather than elsewhere in Connecticut -- recipients include video game, marketing and biotechnology firms.

Check back later this week or early next week for details on these and other Downtown New Haven news items.