F. D. Rich Company

The F. D. Rich Company was founded in 1920 by Frank D. Rich, Sr., following his service in France as a corporal in the U. S. Army during World War I. Mr. Rich and his family had immigrated at the beginning of the 20th century to the United States from Casalvieri, Italy. They remained in Stamford for a short while and then settled in Ridgway, Pennsylvania where work was available in a sandstone quarry. After a brief return to Italy, Mr. Rich returned to this country working for a time in Newport, Rhode Island and then permanently settling in Stamford, CT.

In Stamford he worked as a stonemason building fireplaces and stone walls; much of his work is still standing, including the entrance columns at Cummings Park. Upon his return from service in World War I, he expanded his activities. Working with his brothers Emil, Ralph, Victor and Jim he completed his first large project; the Sacred Heart Church on Schuyler Avenue. This was followed by many other projects, including churches, synagogues, schools, libraries and movie theatres. Over the next twenty-five years the Company expanded its activities throughout New England and the Middle Atlantic States. An office in New York City was opened in 1940.

In 1947, Frank D. Rich Sr.’s two sons, Frank D. Rich, Jr., and Robert N. Rich joined the Company. Over the next thirty years the Company grew from a regional general contractor into a nationally active real estate development and construction company. Its work included major military installations, office buildings, hotels and over 15,000 residential units across 24 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. During those years its motto was “From Alaska to the Virgin Islands”. In 1968, the Company was ranked the largest stateside construction contractor for the Department of Defense.

One of the most significant occurrences in the Company’s history was its selection, in 1960, from a field of ten competitors, to be the sole redeveloper of downtown Stamford’s ambitious billion-dollar130-acre urban renewal project. This project gave the Company the opportunity to integrate all of its talents to create a truly remarkable destination that brought Stamford international recognition. Rich commissioned renowned architect and city planner Victor Gruen (author of The Heart of Our Cities) to create a comprehensive plan for redevelopment that would transform Stamford from an eroding industrial city into a magnet for blue chip international companies and world class arts, education and health care institutions.

Robert N. Rich was appointed President of Stamford New Urban Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rich Company. Rich and his business partner, associate and Chief Legal Counsel, Lawrence Gochberg, spearheaded the rebuilding effort.

In 1971, the Company launched a publicly held subsidiary, F. D. Rich Housing Corporation, whose mission was to build projects incorporating the HABSystem. The system involved factory manufactured concrete housing modules that were assemble into multi-unit buildings. It was invented by Frank D. Rich, Jr. (D. 2007) and was patented in 20 countries. The modules as well as pre-cast concrete components used in F. D. Rich Construction Company projects were built in a 120,000 SF factory that was located in Wallkill, NY. A smaller plant was also built in Brazil.

In the early 1980’s, two of Frank D. Rich Jr’s children, F. D. Rich III and Susan M. Rich and one of Robert N. Rich’s children Thomas L. Rich joined the Company.

At that time the Company was involved in many substantial development projects. Coldspring Newtown was conceived as a “town within a town” in Baltimore, Maryland. It was designed by the internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie, who later designed buildings 2-6 at F.D. Rich’s Landmark Square complex.

In Punta Gorda, Florida, the Company owned and developed the Burnt Store Marina Resort and Condominium, which included 2,000 acres of land fronting on Charlotte Harbor and the largest marina on the west coast of Florida.

Between 1984 and 1991 in Boston, Massachusetts, through Company subsidiary, F. D. Rich Company of Boston, Inc., the Company became involved in a collection of development projects that encompassed four million square feet of office, housing, hotel and retail space. The most significant of those was called Commonwealth Center, which consisted of two 40-storey office buildings, a 400-room Hyatt Regency Hotel and 100,000 square feet of retail space.

By 1992, the Rich Company had completed the construction of five million square feet of retail, office, hotel and residential space in Stamford. It also played a major role in creating the Stamford Center for the Arts and bringing the University of Connecticut to downtown Stamford. Frank D. Rich, Jr., was the founder of the Stamford Center for the Arts and served 19 years on the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut. Since 1996, under the direction of Company President and CEO Thomas L. Rich, who represents the Companies’ third generation of leadership, the Company continues to be active not only in downtown Stamford but in other parts of Fairfield County, CT.

Stamford Projects over this period include the development of the Bow Tie Majestic Cinema Complex, the 180,000 square foot Target Store and Retail Shops, the 115-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and the development of Trump Parc Stamford condominiums (with Louis R. Cappelli and Donald J. Trump) slated to be Stamford’s tallest building at 350 feet.

In Norwalk, CT the Company has successfully invested in office space and marinas. It owns and operates a portfolio of retail and office space located on Washington and South Main Streets in the historic South Norwalk (“SONO”) historic district. Also in Stamford, in a partnership with Louis R. Cappelli, the Company is preparing to start construction on The Ritz Carlton Stamford Hotel and Residences. This $600 million mixed use development will include a 200 room Ritz Carlton Hotel, 300 super luxury Ritz Carlton condominium residences and 70,000 square feet of retail space encompassing the complete restoration of the historically significant Atlantic Street Station Post Office.

The Company currently has hotel, residential, retail and office projects in various stages of development valued at more than $1.0 Billion.

1920

THE F. D. RICH COMPANY IS FOUNDED BY ITALIAN IMMIGRANT FRANK D. RICH, SR., FOLLOWING HIS SERVICE IN THE U. S. ARMY DURING WORLD WAR I.

1923

SACRED HEART CHURCH, STAMFORD, CT

1929

CLOONAN JR. HIGH SCHOOL, STAMFORD, CT

1931

REDMAN’S HALL, STAMFORD, CT

1933

TEMPLE BETHEL, STAMFORD, CT
JEWISH CENTER, STAMFORD, CT
AGUDATH SHALOM, STAMFORD, CT
JUNIOR COLLEGE BUILDING, NEW BRITAIN, CT
SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD GIRLS, FARMINGTON, CT
VISITING NURSES ASSOCIATION, STAMFORD, CT
W T GRANT CO. STORE, STAMFORD, CT

1936

WILBUR CROSS LIBRARY, UCONN, STORRS, CT
HOME ECONOMICS BUILDING, UCONN, STORRS, CT
REDMAN CHEVROLET, STAMFORD, CT

1938

PLAZA THEATER AND STORES, STAMFORD, CT
HOLLOW TREE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, DARIEN, CT
BUS TERMINAL ATLANTIC SQUARE, STAMFORD, CT

1939

AVON THEATER, STAMFORD, CT
MOVIE THEATER, WESTPORT, CT
MOVIE THEATER, BREWSTER, NY

1942

GREENWICH CT HOSPITAL
STAMFORD ROLLING MILLS, STAMFORD, CT

1943

DEFENSE PLANT BINGHAMTON, NY
DEFENSE PLANT, FLUSHING, NY
BRONXVILLE REALTY CORP.

1945

BROOKS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, DUNKIRK, NY

1946

DIEBOLD, INC. NY
WESTERN ELECTRIC, NY
SIMMONS CO., NY
GUST TUNNEL-LANGLEY AFB, VA
ELECTRONIC LABORATORY, LANGLEY AFB, VA
INDUCTION AERODYNAMICS BUILDING, LANGLEY AFB, VA

1947

FRANKLIN SIMON STORE, NYC
WILBUR ROGERS STORE, TRENTON, NJ
VETERANS HOSPITAL, RUTLAND, MA
STAMFORD MOTORS, STAMFORD, CT
STORES, SPRING AND SUMMER STREET, STAMFORD, CT

1948

HORSFALS STORE, HARTFORD, CT
STATE ARSENAL, PEEKSKILL, NY
STATE ARSENAL, HEMPSTEAD, NY
M. H. FISHMAN STORE, CAHOES, NY
FIDELITY BANK, STAMFORD, CT
SPRINGDALE BANK (SECURITY) STAMFORD, CT

1949

OAK PARK HOUSING, STAMFORD, CT 184 (B)
WOOLWORTH STORE, STAMFORD, CT
LIGGETTS STORE, STAMFORD, CT

1950

HANGAR, WESTCHESTER COUNTY AIRPORT, NY
WOOLWORTH STORE, WATERBURY, CT
GREENWICH WATER CO., GREENWICH, CT
AMERICAN CYANAMID, STAMFORD, CT

1951,1952

FRED GILMORE VILLAGE, UTICA, NY 200 (B)
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROME, NY
HOME ECONOMICS BUILDING, ONEONTA, NY
CORLISS PARK HOUSING, TROY, NY 168 (N)
EASTWOOD HOUSING, SYRACUSE, NY 200 (B)
SOUTH SALEM FIRE HOUSE, POUND RIDGE, NY
FACULTY HOUSING, UCONN, STORRS, CT 90 (E)

1953

SOUTH STREET SCHOOL, NEW CANAAN, CT
BARTLETT TREE OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET, STAMFORD, CT
BUDGET MARKET, STAMFORD, CT
FERRY GRIDER HOUSING, BUFFALO, NY 210 (B)
LAWN AVENUE HOUSING, BUFFALO, NY 212 (B)
ELMIRA REFORMATORY, ELMIRA, NY
HOMELITE OFFICE BUILDING, PORT CHESTER, NY

1954

CERAMICS BUILDING, ALFRED UNIVERSITY, NY
HOME ECONOMICS BUILDING, ONEONTA, NY
DPW WAREHOUSE, UTICA, NY
WOOLWORTH STORE, TROY NY
HOMER CENTRAL SCHOOL, HOMER, NY
HARTFORD PROVISION CO., WAREHOUSE, STAMFORD, CT
HOTEL GREEN, DANBURY, CT
550 SUMMER STREET, OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
ARNOLD BAKERY, PORT CHESTER, N. Y.

1955

ANNE BOURNE HOUSING, NEWBURGH, NY 84 (B)
KINGS PARK STATE HOSPITAL, KINGS PARK, NY
OAK MANOR HOUSING, SCRANTON, PA. 250 (B)
DIVISION MAINT. BLDG, ALBANY, NY
READINESS BUILDING, HANSCOMB AFB, MASS.
READINESS HANGAR, HANSCOMB AFB, MAM
WHITESBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHITESBORO, NY
AFRTC HANGAR, HANSCOMB AFB, MA

1956,1957

ST. JOSEPHS HOSPITAL, STAMFORD, CT
EAST SIDE FIREHOUSE. STAMFORD, CT
TOWN & COUNTRY SHOPPING CENTER, STAMFORD, CT
RIDGEWAY SHOPPING CENTER OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
RIDGEWAY SHOPPING CENTER SAKS 34TH, STAMFORD, CT
WATERVLIET ARSENAL, WATERVLIET, NY
WESTMORELAND SCHOOL, WESTMORELAND, NY
RECONNAISSANCE TECHNICAL BUILDING, WESTOVER AFB, MA
AIR FORCE FLYING CENTER, BRADLEY FIELD, CT

1958,1959

GOWANDA STATE HOSPITAL, GOWANDA, NY
WILLARD HOSPITAL, WILLARD, NY
RIVERSIDE HOUSING, WILMINGTON, DE 400 (B)
HALMER CORP, GREENWICH, CT
CONN TURNPIKE MAINT. BLDGS A & C
ST. JOSEPHS HOSPITAL, STAMFORD, CT
FAIRFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE, STAMFORD, CT
CONN TURNPIKE BRANFORD SERVICE STATION
ROME INFIRMARY, ROME, NY
MARCY STATE HOSPITAL, MARCY, NY
HANGAR, STEWART AFB, NY
DOUBLE CANTILEVER HANGAR, WESTOVER AFB, MA
STONY BROOK AFB, NY
NAVAL HOUSING CECIL FIELD, FL 91 (A)
STOP & SHOP STORE, STAMFORD, CT
STATE EDUCATION BUILDING, ALBANY, NY
HOUSING HANCOCK FIELD, SYRACUSE, NY 400 (B)
WEST SIDE HOUSING SYRACUSE CITY, SYRACUSE, NY 192 (B)
ARTHUR ALBRIGHT COURT HOUSING, TONAWANDA, NY 62 (B)
AIR TERMINAL ALBANY AIRPORT, NY
HANGARS, ANDREWS AFB, MD
HOSPITAL SAWYER AFB, MI
DOUBLE CANTILEVER HANGAR, HANSCOMB AFB, MA
NY THRUWAY BUILDINGS, PLATTSKILL-MODENA, NY

1961

HUGO’S RESTAURANT, SUMMER STREET, STAMFORD, CT
STORES (COURTYARD NOW THERE) SUMMER STREET AND BROAD, STAMFORD, CT
500 SUMMER STREET OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT

1962

HENRY JORDAN HOUSING, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 100 (B)
CAPEHART HOUSING, RAPID CITY, SD 220 (A)
CAPEHART HOUSING, TRUAX AFB, WI 280 (A)
CAPEHART HOUSING, NEWPORT, RI 500 (A)
FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING, TOLEDO, OH
SMITH HOUSE, STAMFORD, CT
TAXATION AND FINANCE BUILDING, ALBANY, NY
HOUSING, NORWALK, CT

1963

733 SUMMER STREET OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
MILITARY HOUSING, PORT HUENEME, CA 200 (A)
CAPEHART HOUSING, FT. LEWIS, WA 200 (A)
MORTON HOUSING, PHILADELPHIA, PA 189 (B)

1964

UNIVERSITY BUILDING, SAN JUAN, PR
JORDAN PAVILION, NY WORLDS FAIR, NY
ALASKA PAVILION, NY WORLDS FAIR, NY
US POST OFFICE AND COURTHOUSE, BISMARCK, ND
SECOND REGIMENTAL AREA, FT LEONARD WOOD, MO
MILITARY HOUSING, MINOT AFB, MINOT ND 499 (A)
TEN EYCK APARTMENTS, SCHENECTADY, NY 114 (B)
HOUSING, FT RICHARDSON AND ELMENDORF AFB, ALASKA
HOUSING, USN AMMUNITIONS DEPOT, CHARLESTON, SC 481 (A)

1965

HOUSING FT. RICHARDSON & ELMENDORD AFB, ALASKA 390 (A)
MOUNTAIN WOOD HOMES, STAMFORD, CT 54 (F/F)
JOHN F. KENNEDY HOUSING, ST. CROIX VI 200 (B)
NORWALK HOSPITAL, NORWALK, CT
COLEYTOWN SCHOOL, WESTPORT, CT
733 SUMMER STREET OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
FAMILY HOUSING, MAYAGUEZ, PR (274 (B)

1966

FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT, WOONSOCKET, RI
VIEUX CARRE HOTEL, ST. CROIX, VI
GENERAL TIME OFFICE BUILDING, HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CT
CBS LABORATORIES, HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CT
BARRACKS COMPLEX, FT JACKSON, SC
HOUSING US NAVAL BASE, LONG BEACH, CA
NAVAL HOUSING, CHARLESTON, SC 100 (A)
HOUSING US NAVAL BASE, KEY WEST, FL 400 (A)
HOUSING USAFB, BEALE, CA 337 (A)
FOMENTO OFFICE BUILDING, SAN JUAN, PR
HOUSING, CAYEY, PR 250 (B/F)
HOUSING, CAROLINA, PR 500 (B/F)
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE BUILDING, SYRACUSE, NY

1967

STAMFORD HOSPITAL, STAMFORD, CT
FLINTKOTE OFFICE BUILDING, HARRISON, NY

1968

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT, NY
HOUSING NAFB QUONSET POINT, RI
HOUSING AUTHORITY, NEWPORT, RI
HOUSING, NAVAL AIR STATION, NEWPORT, RI
OVERHAUL AND REPAIR SHOP, QUONSET POINT, RI
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, STAMFORD, CT 122 (D/F)
ST, JOHN’S TOWERS, STAMFORD, CT 360 (D/F)
BUILDING THREE, HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CT

1969

TRAS TALLERES HOUSING, SAN JUAN PR 448 (C/F)
NAVAL HOUSING, QUONSET POINT RI 200 (A)
NAVAL HOUSING, KEY WEST FL 212 (A)
FAMILY HOUSING, ANSONIA, CT 74 ©
HANGAR, TYNDALL AFB, FLORIDA

1970

FAMILY HOUSING, NEWPORT, RI 170 (B)
NAVAL HOUSING, NEWPORT, RI 200 (A)

1971

PORTLAND HOUSING I, PORTLAND, ME 150 (C/F)
MILITARY HOUSING, GRISSOM AFB, IN 200 (A)
BUILDING 4, HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CVT
BUILDING 5, HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CT
MILITARY HOUSING, CRAIG AFB, SELMA, AL 300 (A)

1972

MARTIN LUTHER KING APARTMENTS, STAMFORD, CT 89 (C/F)
BAYOLA HOUSING, SAN JUAN, PR 200 (D/F)
LUDLOW STREET HOUSING, STAMFORD, CT 36 (D/F)
BUILDING 6 HIGH RIDGE PARK, STAMFORD, CT
PORTLAND HOUSING II, PORTLAND, ME 150 (C/F)

1973

PITCHON HOUSING I, SPRINGFIELD, MA 250 (D/F)
PORTLAND HOUSING III, PORTLAND, ME 100 (C/F)
ONE LANDMARK SQUARE OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
GTE OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT

1974

TRINITY APARTMENTS, STAMFORD, CT 48 (D/F)
STAMFORD YMCA, STAMFORD, CT 132 (H/F)

1975

PYNCHON HOUSING II 357 (D/F)
SAN JOSE HOUSING, RIO PIEDRAS, PR 416 (D/F)
HOWARD JOHNSON HOTEL, STAMFORD, CT 160 (H)
CHILD CARE CENTER, STAMFORD, CT
ARBOR HILL HOUSING, ALBANY, NY (90) (D/F)
BUILDINGS 2, 3, 4 AND 5 LANDMARK SQUARE, STAMFORD, CT

1976

MARRIOTT HOTEL, STAMFORD, CT 305 (H/F)

1979

10 STAMFORD FORUM OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
10 STAMFORD FORUM OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
8 STAMFORD FORUM OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
ARBOR HILL HOUSING, ALBANY, NY 190 (D/F)
CAGUAS HOUSING, CAGUAS, PR 170 (F)
RADISSON NEW COMMUNITY, SYRACUSE, NY 208 (D/F)
QUARRY KNOLL APARTMENTS, GREENWICH, CT 40 (D/F)
CANAAN PARISH, NEW CANAAN, CT 60 (D/F)

1981

COLDSPRING CONDOMINIUMS, BALTIMORE, MD 150 (D/F)

1982

RUSCOMBE GARDENS ELDERLY, BALTIMORE, MD 150 (D/F)
STAMFORD TOWN CENTER SHOPPING MALL, STAMFORD, CT

1983

FOREST MEWS CONDOMINIUMS, STAMFORD, CT 79 (E/F)
BUILDING 6 LANDMARK SQUARE, STAMFORD, CT

1985

4 AND 6 STAMFORD FORUM OFFICE BUILDINGS, STAMFORD, CT

1987

MARRIOTT HOTEL ADDITION, STAMFORD, CT 200 (H/F)
RIVERWALK CONDOMINIUMS, STAMFORD, CT 40 (F)

1988

H.E.L.P. HOMELESS HOUSING, BROOKLYN, NY 200 (I)

1989

300 ATLANTIC STREET OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
177 BROAD STREET OFFICE BUILDING, STAMFORD, CT
BILTMORE APARTMENTS, STAMFORD, CT 161 (G/F)

1990

BURNT STORE CONDOMINIUM AND MARINA PROJECT, PUNTA GORDA, FL 400

1992

RICH FORUM THEATER, STAMFORD, CT

1997

CROWN THEATRES, STAMFORD CT (NOW BOW TIE CINEMAS)

2001

137 ROWAYTON AVENUE OFFICE BUILDING, ROWAYTON, CT

2003

131 ROWAYTON AVENUE OFFICE BUILDING, ROWAYTON, CT

2005

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HOTEL, STAMFORD, CT
STORES UNDER TARGET, STAMFORD, CT
47 ROUND HILL ROAD RESIDENCE, GREENWICH, CT
2227 SHIPPAN AVENUE RESIDENCE, STAMFORD, CT

2007

TRUMP PARC, STAMFORD, CT
SUMMER AND BROAD STREET RETAIL AND OFFICE PORTFOLIO, STAMFORD, CT

2008

RITZ CARLTON HOTEL, RESIDENCE AND RETAIL SPACE, STAMFORD, CT - PENDING
THE LUXE RESIDENCES, STAMFORD, CT - PENDING
MARRIOTT COURTYARD ADDITION AND RENTAL APARTMENTS, STAMFORD, CT - PENDING
SOUTH NORWALK RETAIL AND OFFICE PORTFOLIO, NORWALK, CT.