That is why Ms. Amrhein said she was surprised to receive a letter several weeks ago from a realty broker stating that a group of investors might be interested.

Mr. Wyler worked with nearly a dozen realty brokers and inspected vacant retail spaces over seven months before selecting his new 3,100-square-foot space on Lexington Avenue.

This boom, of course, elates local realty brokers and investors betting on the town's prosperity.

"I support it," said Sidney Nagel, a realty broker who also owns 10 duplexes in Norwich.

In Fairfield County, realty brokers point to Metro Center as one project that stands out from the crowd.

He was charged with attempting to fleece J.Y. Peterson, a realty broker, in a fake faro game.

But the bank dislikes the possibility of a dance hall or a movie theater in the building, according to realty brokers familiar with the negotiations.

Kupper had chosen an excellent spot for his will-o'-the-wisp career as a "realty broker."

A second tower was envisioned across the street, speculation brought increased property prices, and one realty broker talked of "the Madison Avenue of Long Island City."

"Between 80 and 85 percent of that is located in Danbury," said Joseph Wrinn, a realty broker with the local firm of Goodfellow Ashmore.