The 10-year deal announced by Albert B. Ashforth Inc., of Stamford, which represented the owner of the Nyala Farms complex, is part of a consolidation program initiated by the Minneapolis-based reinsurance firm. Jeffrey H. Gage, senior vice president with Albert B. Ashforth, says that Benfield Blanch will be closing most of its Dallas operations and will be relocating its Westport operations from 10,000 sf of space at 329 Riverside Ave. by this September to the Nyala Farms property. Ed Tonnessen, executive vice president with Albert B. Ashforth Inc., also acted as exclusive agent for the building owner in the deal. The new Westport office will now serve as the company's U.S. headquarters.

Paul Hennessy, managing principal and Paul Formichelli of Staubach Co., represented Benfield Blanch in the transaction. The company will be the major tenant at the 100 Nyala Farms building, which totals more than 47,000 sf. The five-building complex located nearby exit 18 of I-95 (New England Thruway) totals 372,207 sf.

Gage says that with the lease deal with Benfield Blanch, the Nyala Farms complex is 84 percent occupied. The property located on 76 acres was built in 1976. Nyala Farms boasts such major tenants as: Phibro Energy, Deloitte & Touche, Pequot Capital, Playtex, Life Care and Smith Barney.