Local Business: Freed McKeen LLC

It was only a matter of time before Sad City landed us in a lawyers' office. While spending time with lawyers isn't as scintillating as portrayed on television, we gladly accepted the invite from Ryan McKeen to visit his practice recently opened with partner Meghan Freed.

Beyond a cursory curiosity as to what lawyers were like and what they actually do all day, we were intrigued by the idea of checking out the space. Located street level in The Linden at 491 Main Street, Freed McKeen isn't the office building, industrial carpeted, fluorescent lit spot one would expect from a law firm. Instead it gives off the cozy feel of a Pier One catalog.

The Boat Building

The Phoenix Building on Constitution Plaza is one the Hartford's most recognizable landmarks. Most often referred to as the "boat building" we've also heard it called the "football building" amongst other things. Completed in 1963, it is the the world's first two sided building. (No truth to the rumor that we will now be seeking out all two sided buildings in Hartford) The unique shape of the building and its windows can lead to some awesome views like this one captured on recent sunny day. The top floor of the Phoenix Building also provides a great view of downtown, but of course the main attraction of this building is walking directly to the spot where the two sides come together, it's really nothing mind-bending but there's almost no way you can not walk right towards it when you get the chance.

Good Morning Hartford!

Ahhh, the morning. Bringing us the drone of an alarm, newly updated sports scores, fresh coffee, and a full bladder, it is a time of day both loved and reviled. No matter what side of the bed you wake up on, it's undisputed that morning gives us a couple of the most unique hours of the day.

Moving On Down

Washington Street leading to Hartford Hospital is a very interesting stretch of Hartford road.   It starts across from the renowned State Capitol,  the Bushnell is right there, and just a little further down Washington Street is the Hartford Superior Court, an impressive building in its own right. Directly across from the Superior Court is Troop H, the Connecticut State Police's Hartford Barracks.  Across Park Street is of course Hartford Hospital which is, as far as we known, a well-respected state of the art hospital.   Despite this impressive array of law making, law enforcing, justice deciding, and care giving facilities crammed into the area, there still exists a very seedy underbelly to the area.

Hartford Kewl Buildings: The Flat Iron Building

If New York has it's flat iron building, why can't Hartford? Located in one of our favorite areas of town between Ann and High Street, right after Albany Ave and Main Street split, this interesting building currently sits vacant and boarded up. The building doesn't seem to have any significant history, all we were able to uncover is that it was built for any Italian grocery store owner.

Hartford Kewl Buildings: The Keney Memorial Clock Tower

Being an old and formerly wealthy New England city, Hartford has tons of kewl old buildings. Some are dilapidated, some are well maintained, they can be found in both the worst and best neighborhoods. In exploring Hartford we have seen a lot of these buildings and wondered how they got there and what the history behind some of these buildings. Thus is born our latest feature; Hartford Kewl Buildings. The inaugural edition features the Keney Memorial Clock Tower.