56 Commerce Drive is a home for hope and healing for wish kids, their families and wish granting volunteers

Morristown, NJ – Avison Young announced today that its New Jersey Project Management Group has completed the build out of Make-A-Wish Connecticut’s campus at 56 Commerce Drive in Trumbull, CT. Spanning 15,000 square feet across three floors, the building is home to Make-A-Wish, Connecticut’s headquarters and the Wishing Place, where wish kids and their families begin their wish journeys and unleash their imaginations.

Led by Avison Young Principal and Vice President of Project Management Tracey Kasper and Senior Project Manager Kelly McAdams, who are both based at the firm’s Morristown, NJ office, 56 Commerce Drive received a full exterior and interior make over, which included a renovated lobby, communal areas and amenities for visiting families, new utilities, MEP infrastructures, elevator replacement, a new experience floor for wish kids, observation decks and patios for outdoor events. Avison Young was also involved in leading the search and securing the location, with Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of Fairfield/Westchester County Sean Cahill brokering the transaction on behalf of Make-A-Wish.

“Make-A-Wish is a tremendous organization that touches countless lives every single day, so it was important that we helped to create a space for their Connecticut headquarters that would complement the wish granting experience for children and their families,” said Kasper. “We completely gutted the interior of the building in addition to revamping its exterior to create a turnkey solution boasting various communal spaces for gathering, meeting, reflecting and entertaining.” 

Make-A-Wish Connecticut is part of the nation’s largest and most well-established wish-granting organization, with chapters and volunteers throughout the U.S. and abroad. The nonprofit organization grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in the Connecticut area, providing hope and joy that lasts far beyond their wish experiences and positively impacting the emotional well-being of wish kids, their families and all those involved in a wish.

“Avison Young was a valuable partner in making our vision for our Connecticut headquarters come to life, leading every stage from identifying the right location to delivering a space that enhances the wish granting experience for our guests,” said Pam Keough, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “The team was a key partner in transforming the site and building into a welcoming destination for children and their families, taking them outside of their illnesses into a child-centered, imaginative and inspirational space that is custom-made for wishing. 

Avison Young creates real economic, social and environmental value as a global real estate advisor, powered by people. As a private company, our clients collaborate with an empowered partner who is invested in their success. Our integrated talent realizes the full potential of real estate by using global intelligence platforms that provide clients with insights and advantage. Together, we can create healthy, productive workplaces for employees, cities that are centers for prosperity for their citizens, and built spaces and places that create a net benefit to the economy, the environment and the community.