50 Post Road West is one of Westport’s most iconic buildings.
Since the 1800s, the Greek Revival structure — once owned by the Sherwood family — has stood halfway up the hill, near the downtown bridge.
Because eastbound traffic often stops opposite it, drivers have witnessed its slow, 3 decade-long deterioration.
Neglected 50 Post Road West, in 2021. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
Recently, they’ve watched — and wondered — as workers began its renovation.
The building’s owner — Botero Building Design & Construction, a high-end custom firm led by Westporter Tomás Botero — is doing something rare here.
Rather than knocking down the historic yet now decrepit building, they are restoring it.
Botero plans 13 apartments: 5 on each of the first 2 floors, and 3 on the top floor.
Four more will be included in a new barn-style building, in the back. It would replace a current Cape-style structure.
Twenty percent of the units will be affordable, according to state guidelines. The rest will rent at market rates.
Artist’s rendering for 50 Post Road West …
Last night, the Architectural Review Board considered the project. Members were supportive of the plans, which include tidying up the front, and elevating the roof line. The Doric columns will remain.
Representative Town Meeting member Lou Mall, who lives on Ludlow Road behind the property, called it “an incredible addition to the neighborhood– especially compared to the 8-30g monstrosity going up across the street” (between Post Road West and Cross Street).
In tandem with the ARB’s okay, Botero and LandTech, the Saugatuck engineering firm, will ask the Planning & Zoning Commission for a special permit. Now zoned for commercial use, it would be changed to multi-family housing. Construction could begin this fall.
Botero has maintained the property ever since purchasing it. They’ve cleaned the gutters, and patched the roof. The interior has been gutted (“to see what we’re up against,” Botero says).
Drivers stopped on the Post Road West hill have watched the work with interest — without knowing what’s happening.
Now, Botero is happy to explain.
“The location is great for apartments,” he says. “It’s near downtown, and not far from the train station.
“This is a historic building. We want it to blend into the fabric of Westport.
“Downtown is so well maintained. This has been a missing piece for way too long.”
… and the new building in back.
(“06880” reports regularly on real estate, local history, town government — and much more. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The town owes Botero a big thank you for his thoughtful 8-30g
approach to an historic building. We’re lucky he’s the one who ahold of it.
As for the one across the street from it, those owners should be in a jail for the unconcerned.
It’s not an 8-30g project.
My bad; thanks for the correction and our thanks are still due Botero.
Oh definitely, could have been infinitely worse.
The article said that 20% of the units will be affordable (state guidelines)….wondering why that wouldn’t be included in 8-30g calculations for the town.
They will be, but that’s a requirement for any multi-family development, which is why they went to P&Z to get the zoning changed. They’re adding 17 apartments, so add that to denominator, and then since 20% is 3.4 (not sure if they’re allowed to round down), they’re adding either 3 or 4 affordable units to the numerator.
Had it been one of those scorched earth 8-30g projects, the entire site could have become a massive development, and in that case, 30% would have to have been affordable.
HooooooRayyyy
It’s unfortunate that the original, carefully calibrated proportions of the building will be distorted: the rendering is awkward. However, given the current zeal for replacing our historic built environment with bloated glop, this absolutely qualifies as good news.
Would that all developers and contractors had the same sensibility. Botero creates income for himself, helps Westport achieve its affordable housing quota, does it respectfully and tastefully — and becomes a hero in our town.
I am so thrilled this is not being torn down. It is absolutely beautiful and as a renovation specialist with my license as an interior designer ASID I am looking forward to it’s end result. Fabulous👍👏👏👏👏👏👏
Bravo, and thank you Mr. Botero!!! This is a fabulous plan.
So far so good, but please do not ruin it by installing those awful dead looking black windows.
So glad to hear this valuable piece of our history gets a new lease on life, and critically isn’t razed to the ground in the process! We deserve projects that respect our architectural patrimony and do good for us all!
Absolutely fabulous! Thank you Mr. Botero!!!