Neighbors and beach lovers have watched warily, as a new home rises on the site of the old Positano — and before that — Cafe de la Plage restaurants.
It’s not yet finished.
But the house at 233 Hillspoint Road has just come on the market.
Artists’ rendering of the house going up at 233 Hillspoint Road.
The 4,200-square foot residence — on a 5,663-square foot lot — will includes 4 bedrooms, and 4 1/2 bathrooms.
The listing price: $7.5 million.
(Hat tip: Dave Dellinger)
Overpriced Barf
its the location. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
This is the most distressing and disturbing piece of architecture in Westport. That is a sidewalk in front of the house and it blocks the view for pedestrians and cars from one of the loveliest water views in Westport. The sidewalk starts just past the house and runs along the each all the way to the cannons at the end of Compo Beach. A half mile of a walk along the beach on a sidewalk. P a Z should al be fired.A MCMansion that blocks a public view of public beachfront and water should never have happened.( Have a good day!) >
For what it is worth, there used to be a two story building that previously blocked the public view before it was torn down to build this place. This house isn’t necessarily my cup of tea but certainly seems to be at least as attractive, if not more attractive, than the old building.
Frankly, it would really have been an eyesore if someone raised the old building up to be FEMA compliant particularly since it was right on the sidewalk.
needs shutters
This is a sad situation all around. First that we lost what was a beloved location for a restaurant (glad Elvira’s survives) and second that this house is so out of place.
Fellow RTM member Chris Tate and myself have tried for the last month to get a straight answer from the P&Z Department, including ZBA as to why this house is overly big for the lot, so tall and why the cupola is allowed to be habitable space. Bottom line, there is more house here than should be.
Should have been there at the ZBA Matt. That was the last real chance anyone had.
A legal challenge to the ZBA decision could have been started, but probably too late now.
Wasn’t one of the neighbors very aggressive with the owners of Positano and their impact on the neighborhood, including a claim that the location impacted their views and quality of life? (IIRC, there were lawsuits?) I’m certain they can’t be delighted by this development.
Every time we drive by this construction, we marvel at the impact that this gigantic replacement has on the neighbors on the hill.
no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people.
someone will love it and buy it and years from now it will be torn down too
hmmmm. I’m trying to figure out the stone fireplace/chimney – it’s odd to see it not flush against the house … and is that a small deck on the side of it? …and I’m not sure what that weird square in the middle is. Oh well, at least this structure will keep my walks along the beach interesting for a while.
I suspect that the small patio dining area that was so vehemently opposed by some, in retrospect, now looks quite appealing.
I was told , fireplace and chimney on the right of the picture. Left side is not a fireplace but an elevator shaft. That’s what I was told
Why would someone put the door/stairs right under where the two roofs meet?
Water?
Snow?
I expect the neighbors that fought Positano and denied the them the use the of the outdoor dining space and the private dining room on the 2nd floor thereby dooming the enterprise to failure are kicking themselves now!
I was wondering that myself. I’m guessing that while they’d rather have this open space, the house is at least as attractive as the old building and is likely to generate less traffic and noise than the restaurant. Could go either way. Would be interesting to hear from them.
Privatization of public space is not appreciated…thank you very much.
$$$$$$, that’s all….it’s killing us.
New meaning for McMansioning a small beach site. Sorry to learn it’s a Bruce Beinfield design…ugh
As I recall from walking past Café de Plâge back in the day, the restaurant’s large front & back full wall windows windows permitted a beautiful view of the beach & water straight through the restaurant. So pretty & peaceful, a very serene & romantic scene- just not @ low tide ; )
So glad they’re building homes for blue collar folks.
Looks more like a mini office complex.
Too bad they couldn’t have planned a smaller beach cottage … something a little more respectful … not this in-your-face, I’ve “got mine” crap.
The old restaurant never seemed too imposing, in my opinion … and had a little bit of Mediterranean charm, if I recall.
The reason for the height of the house is FEMA regulations. It’s in a flood zone.
Just imagine the restaurant jacked up and turned on an angle.
The fireplace could have been incorporated differently.
The elevator is clever and I do believe necessary do to the fact of how tall it it. I think flood zone regulations in each town dictate how high the house has to be. The houses in Fairfield are higher. It’s ‘old school’ to have an elevator. They’re certain houses built in the ’30s in Darien and still standing have elevators.
If I recall correctly, isn’t there a height limitation on buildings south of the Turnpike? This seems to be much higher than allowed.
Besides, I think it’s really ugly. Or as my Daddy used to say ” ‘Each to his own taste,’ said the old lady as she kissed the pig.”
I do believe FEMA and flood zones changed some of the regulations of height.
As they rebuild certain homes (renovate but mostly demolition and build new) in the Compo Beach and Old Mill area everything is taller than it used to be.
I usually like Bruce Beinfields work but this is just a box. It seems obvious that it was designed to just push the space to it’s legal limit. Well, at least Elviras is back and we LOVE the ice cream.