WORCESTER, Mass. - Randy Feldman opened his law practice in the Denholm Building in 1989. At the time, he was a young lawyer looking for a chance
"Wanted cheap rent to try and build up a practice, and wanted to be around other lawyers that would lend a little more credibility that I didn't really have yet," said Feldman with a laugh.
What You Need To Know
- The Worcester Redevelopment Authority voted to buy the Denholm Building at their Monday meeting
- Randy Feldman has been a tenant there for 33 years, and said it will be bittersweet to leave
- Tenants will have four months to vacate the building once the sale is final
- Some tenants will be moving their operations to the Unum building downtown
When asked why he stayed here so long, Feldman said it was all about convenience and location.
"The Denholm building is easy, right," said Feldma. "The parking is easy around here for clients. The parking is easy for workers."
Feldman and his immigration law practice will soon join several other businesses and nonprofits leaving the downtown building, which was once home to a department store.
The Worcester Redevelopment Authority voted to buy the Denholm Monday, and the city's chief development officer expects the sale will close within a week or so.
"This will be a milestone with our intention to continue the objectives of the downtown urban revitalization plan," said CDO Peter Dunn at the WRA's Monday morning meeting.
Feldman agrees, saying the building is getting older and more decrepit, and this is a chance to give the space a new life. His hope is to see residential housing units go up.
"We now can make the downtown into a thriving area where people have a little money in their pocket," said Feldman. "They can spend it on things like coffee shops and music."
After closing, tenants will have four months to leave the property. Feldman said he'll be sad at first, but not because of the view of downtown or the old escalators. It'll be because Worcester is losing a piece of its history.
"People come here and they have all of these childhood memories of coming here and shopping," said Feldman. "The elevator had someone who ran it like in the movies. It has the first escalators in Worcester."
Feldman said several nonprofits will be setting up shop in the former Unum building down the street. He won't be though, and has just started looking for a new space.
Until he leaves his office for the final time, Feldman is looking back at the good time he's had during his 33 years downtown.
"Me and this baby, we had a great run together," said Feldman. "I will be saying goodbye to my work life that I raised my profession in."
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