Last week’s feature on torn-down older homes — and the new ones that replace them — highlighted North Bulkley Avenue.
This week, Dave Matlow — the series curator, and a pre-demolition archivist between 2004 and 2020 — takes us up and down Old Road.
That’s the equally historic (and “old,” for sure) street that intersects Bulkley North halfway down. Old Road begins on Maple Avenue North.
A reminder: “Then & Now” highlights homes of yesterday and today. Our neighbors live in houses old and new. Some built those new structures; others are the second (or beyond) owners.
If you comment, please be kind. Taste is subjective. Wherever we live, everyone has loves their home.
And few Westporters know kids and sports better than Jon Deren and Michael Maurillo.
Deren and his wife Sara are raising 3 children here. He’s coached PAL football, Little League baseball and youth basketball. As owner of Camp Manitou, the developer of other camps and programs (including for underserved youths), he’s impacted tens of thousands of children and families. He and Sara also co-founded Experience Camps, a national non-profit that provides programs to boys and girls who have lost a parent or caregiver.
Maurillo and his wife Jen raised 2 boys here. He’s coached youth lacrosse, basketball and flag football, and served on the PAL Lacrosse board. As co-owner and director of Academy Camps, he offers quality instruction and leadership skills to hundreds of young athletes — many of them from Westport — each year.
Both men know how much our town provides its youngsters.
And how much it lacks.
Jon Deren (left) and Michael Maurillo
With space tight, parents haul their kids to Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford — and beyond — for chances to train, or just play sports indoors with friends.
For several years, Deren and Maurillo have tried to create an indoor facility — a “modern Boys & Girls Club” that is a third space, beyond home and school, where kids can be active and have fun.
Finally, they’ve found their spot.
1431 Post Road East is a non-conforming 1.74-acre parcel, with a restaurant (Bar Lupa), greenhouses and consignment shop. Cars back right onto the road; there are ,multiple entrances and exits.
1431 Post Road East today …
Deren and Maurillo hope to convert the lot into a 2-story space with an all-purpose court for basketball, volleyball and pickleball; a turf field for soccer, lacrosse and football (big enough for training, but not full games), and a fitness area with strength and conditioning coaches.
The facility would not be for high-level athletes only, the planners note. Any boy or girl who wants to play, train and improve would be welcome.
The aim is for “camp-like activities,” camp owners Deren and Maurillo say. It is not a place for tournaments with teams, and there are no outdoor activities.
There would be locker rooms, and a lounge where youngsters could socialize, do homework and meet with tutors.
… and aerial views showing the present site (left), and planned facility (right, with building and drop-off outlined in beige).
Though the primary users would be ages 10 to 18, Deren and Maurillo would welcome adults when school is is session. There could be toddler programs too.
Tonight (Monday, July 27, 6 p.m.; Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission hears a pre-application for the facility. They’ll provide feedback to the applicants on the plan, including parking, a dedicated lane for drop-off and pickup, and landscaping to buffer residential neighbors. (Click here, then scroll down to 1431 Post Road East, for materials provided with the pre-application.)
That’s not the only pre-application the P&Z will hear tonight.
There’s also a preliminary plan for redevelopment of 34 Imperial Avenue, into 2 residential buildings with 9 units. It’s just north of the Westport Woman’s Club, on the west side of the street.
It was constructed around 1890, as a private home. Since 1970, it’s been an office building, with 6 units. The conversion came when town officials created a transition zone, between downtown retail and residences, with offices for doctors, lawyers and small businesses.
34 Imperial Avenue today …
Its location — close to the Library, Levitt Pavilion and downtown — would appeal to empty nesters looking to downsize, and others seeking in-town housing. (Click here, then scroll down to 34 Imperial Avenue, for materials provided with the pr-application.)
… and an artist’s rendering of the 9-unit proposal.
It’s been a quiet few months for the new Saugatuck development.
But next Tuesday (July 28, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 309), the Architectural Review Board will hear a pre-application, and discuss plans, for 606 Riverside Avenue.
That’s the Minute Man Cleaners/locksmith/parking lot plot, bordered by Charles Street. Spinnaker plans to build 175 apartments there. Eighteen — about 10 percent — would be considered affordable.
The pre-app — with information from Beinfield Architects — note the intention to create a new Transit Oriented Development sub-area. It would “allow the proposed development to proceed, to encourage primarily residential development on larger lots proximate to the Saugatuck Train Station, to enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal, and to enhance pedestrian access.”
The TOD area would encourage developments “inspired by New England architecture vernacular (and) encourage the preservation of architectural features of historic buildings.” Click here to see all materials in the pre-application.
Spinnaker did not reply to several requests for comment.
606 Riverside Avenue (yellow outline). It is bordered by Railroad Place (left and bottom), Charles Street (top) and Riverside Avenue (right).
Exterior view, in the pre-application. Taller buildings are behind the one facing Riverside Avenue.
Second exterior view, with taller buildings behind.
For years, Bulkley Avenue North boasted one of the best collections of small- and medium-sized homes in Westport.
Connecting Long Lots Road with Post Road East near the Southport border, it was filled with Capes, converted barns, and other structures built largely before the 1960s.
It’s now one of the streets with the sharpest contrasts in architectural styles. Some older houses have been demolished, replaced by larger ones on less-than-acre lots. They sit next to others that have not yet fallen to the wrecking ball.
All of Dave Matlow’s images this week come from Bulkley Avenue North.
Our friends at KMS Team at Compass report: 3.6% more homes have traded hands this year than last.
Through June 30, the median sales price ($2.31 million) and average sales price ($2,941,376) are both up — the latter by 14.4% from last year.
And buyers are paying 3.4% higher, on average, than the list price.
But these statistics are dated. Transactions can be negotiated and held under contract for months before closing.
Telling signs that things in Westport are slowing include median days on market creeping higher (26, up 12%), and the number of homes actively listed or closed that have taken price reductions.
Price sensitivity and buyer discernment are particularly evident in the upper range of the Westport market:
While the vast majority of property buyers come from within Connecticut, we still attract a significant number of New Yorkers, natives or those returning to the state after spending some years in the city.
In either case, Connecticut’s outdoors and open spaces continue to be an attractive draw.
This 8-bedroom, 8 1/2-bathroom, 12,946-square foot home, on 2.6 acres on Beachside Common, is listed for $22.825 million.
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A century-old Westport institution (the Westport Weston Family YMCA) and one not yet 2 months old (The Sandbar concession stand at Compo Beach) join forces July 27.
Owner Nikki Glekas is supporting the Y’s 47th annual Point to Point Charity Swim, by providing breakfast for participants after the event.
Thanks, Nikki — and thanks to the Y, for once again raising funds to give back to the community.
Nikki Glekas, at The Sandbar.
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Speaking of the beach: Westport’s lifeguards held an Olympic-style competition yesterday morning, before work.
The yearly event — organized by lifeguard head Danilo Sierra — is a highlight of the summer. There are not many other events that can get young people up early on a Saturday morning.
Waiting for the results. Then it was off to work: another day keeping Compo Beach safe for all. (Photo/Karen Como)
For more than a decade, Westport has had a special relationship with Catch A Lift Fund. The national non-profit provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal physically and mentally, through physical fitness.
Westporters have donated funds, welcomed veterans, and joined in workouts at venues like the police station, VFW, beach and Birchwood Country Club. The vets give plenty back in return — as inspiration, and serving as “angels” for children, teens and adults with disabilities through myTeamTriumph.
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 — and 250th birthday of the United States — is a great time for Westporters to continue supporting Catch a Lift.
On September 9 (6:30 p.m., Inn at Longshore), a special fundraiser will benefit the noon-profit.
Catch a Lift veterans, at a Birchwood Country Club event.
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Stephanie Retcho writes: “For many months, we have had a sign from a builder in front of our house. More recently, another was put up. They are for houses on properties near ours.
“Both are in the right of way — the strip of land that is publicly owned by roadways.
“That goes against town ordinances. It’s an eyesore, and the regulations regarding signs are intended to keep the town looking beautiful.
“I naively thought the signs would eventually come down. But I finally complaimed out to the Planning & Zoning Department.
“Within the same day of my first email, both signs were gone.
“Huge thanks to Hannah, Mike and everyone at P&Z who made that happen. It’s not lost on me that everyone is busy. It happened faster than I ever imagined, and anyone driving by our house is the better for them being gone. (One sign in particular kept breaking. and looked quite derelict).
“For anyone with the same issue: contact P&Z. The ordinances are clear regarding signage, and clearly this team is on it.
“If you take the sign down yourself, you could be fined for theft or vandalism. In the immortal words of Ren & Stimpy: ‘happy happy, joy joy.'”
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Speaking of houses: America’s 250th birthday is in the rear view mirror.
But red, white and blue still decorates homes all around town.
Here’s the very visible view, on Compo Beach Road:
(Photo/John Maloney)
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It was quite a term for the Supreme Court.
On July 27 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library), New York Times reporter Ann Marimow will explore the impact of recent decisions (via livestream), with (live) CT Mirror host John Dankosky.
And finally … this is the birthday of Van Cliburn. The pianist earned international acclaim in 1958, at just 23 years old. He died in 2013, age 78.
(A lot always goes on at the beach, as today’s Roundup shows. Before you head over though, please take a quick minute to click here, and support your hyper-local blog. Thanks — see you there!)
There is no shortage of demolished Westport homes — or their replacements.
In the 20th edition of this feature, photographer Dave Matlow takes us to the north end of town, on roads off Main Street and Easton Road, then nearly to Norwalk on Cranbury Road.
Three were single-story homes. One was a split level. Their replacements are taller and wider.
Yesterday’s story on Tom Lowrie — Westport’s “Mr. Pickleball,” former YMCA trustee, Y’s Man and Rotarian (and much more) who died Tuesday at 97 — noted that there will be a gathering at 6 p.m. this Friday (July 3, his birthday), at the Compo Beach Lowrie Pickleball Courts.
His daughter Anne says that this is an informal toast. A celebration of Tom’s long life is set for Greens Farms Church on July 31. More details will be available soon.
Tom Lowrie, at his 97th birthday. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Attention, sports fans! The Tuesday night Parks & Recreation adult hoops league is in full swing. Eight teams play weekly, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Players include just-graduated Staples High heroes Sam Clachko, Matty Corrigan and Mason Tobias, and recent graduates Adam Udell, Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Derek Sale, Justin Honig and Griffin Kass.
This week’s ringer was a Big Name: former NBA star (and Rookie of the Year) Michael Carter-Williams (now a Westport resident), and former overseas pro and current Westport PAL coach Jamill Powell.
Spectators are always welcome. The Staples coaching staff enjoyed the games last week.
Long Lots Elementary School — built in 1953, and renovated 20 years later — is slated for demolition. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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The String Queens are the newest addition to the free Levitt Pavilion calendar.
The August 16 show features the trio, known for blending classical music with jazz, hip-hop, R&B and popular styles. Click here to reserve free tickets.
Meanwhile, this holiday weekend’s schedule includes:
Friday, July 3 (7:30 p.m.): Clay Street Unit (bluegrass, folk, Americana, country)
Saturday, July 4 (7:30 p.m.): Early Clover (former Coasters’ lead singer; tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more)
Sunday, July 5 (7 p.m.): Back to the Garden 1969: Woodstock Experience (featuring Staples graduate Michelle Pauker)
Speaking of music: Lachat Town Farm’s next “Music in the Meadow” (July 11, 6 p.m.) features singer/guitarist/ songwriter Quinn Sullivan.
He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and with Conan O’Brien. Sullivan has also performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and toured and recorded with Buddy Guy for nearly a decade.
Sharing the stage with B.B. King, Sullivan became one of the few artists ever to play his iconic guitar, “Lucille.”
But the celebration continues July 16 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).
Eleish Van Breems Home opens it doors for a free celebration. Nômade will provide the food; Black Bear Wines & Spirits, the beverages. Everyone — the LGBTQ community, friends, allies — and fans of fun (and the furniture store) — is invited. Please RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
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The Whitney Street improvement project is nearly done.
Resident Molly Alger could not be happier. And not just because the noise and inconvenience will end.
The new curb is a masterpiece,” she reports.
“The old curb, next to the black paved sidewalk, was just a raised bit of asphalt.
“Now they’re constructing a legitimate cement curb — perfectly formed and absolutely beautiful. Of course it will also be much safer!”
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 24 and 30.
A 38-year-old Shelton man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating under suspension and failure to appear, following a stop on Post Road East.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Distracted driving: 6 citations
Evading responsibility: 1
School zone violation (2nd offense): 1
Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Disorderly conduct: 1
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As the weather heats up, residents slow down … and seek shade.
These folks found it yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park. It’s a nice “Westport … Naturally” reminder of how good we have it — despite the temperature.
And finally … Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People who also co-wrote their smash hits “YMCA” and “Macho Man,” died Monday, after a short illness. He was 74.
(Once again, “06880” proves why it is “where Westport meets the world.” Where else can you find all this stuff? If you appreciate our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Tomorrow — 2 days ahead of the holiday — the annual PAL fireworks will light the sky over Compo Beach. It’s Westport’s biggest and best party of the year.
It also has a major impact on traffic.
The beach closes to the public at 4 p.m. Only vehicles with fireworks passes hanging from their rearview mirrors can stay in the parking lot. The beach reopens to ticket holders no later than 5 p.m.
Access to the fireworks is through Compo Road South only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be closed to through traffic.
Uber, Lyft and taxi services will drop riders off where Soundview Drive runs into Compo Road South. However, return service will not be possible until 11 p.m., due to one-way traffic exiting the beach. There will be delays of an hour or so after the fireworks end (approximately 9:30 to 9:45) for residents return to the Compo Beach area from elsewhere, and for anyone picking up people at the beach.
Westport Police emphasize that parking restrictions in the Compo Beach area will be strictly enforce. No parking is allowed on Compo Road South and Hillspoint Road. Illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed, and towed to Longshore parking lot F.
The fireworks are sponsored by Melissa and Doug Bernstein, and are an important fundraiser for Westport PAL. A few tickets remain, at the Parks & Recreation Department office in Longshore (during business hours), and the police station.
Speaking of the fireworks: If you’re headed there via Hillspoint Road, you’ll see one less historic home.
The “Captain Allen” home fell to the wrecking ball this week. Named for the founder of the old Allen’s Clam House, it stood on Sherwood Mill Pond near Burnham Hill for over a century.
Speaking of old homes: Bob Weingarten launches his new book “Westport, Connecticut: The Old and New Historical Accounts, 1639–2025” with a special reception July 7 (6 p.m., Westport Book Shop). It’s a deep dive into Westport’s past — with a particular emphasis on homes, and the Greens Farms neighborhood.
The event is co-sponsored by MoCA\CT, in conjunction with their new exhibition, “Looking for History.”
The evening includes wine, light bites, a book signing, and Westport memories. Guests can purchase the book before it becomes available to the public the next day. RSVPs are required; click here.
Speaking of book launches: The Westport Library is the setting for “Ransom,” The latest Gabriel Allon thriller gets the star treatment July 14 (6:30 p.m.).
Silva will be joined in conversation by his wife, CNN correspondent Jamie Gangel — proving, the Library says, “he’s nearly as fearless as his iconic protagonist.”
And finally … speaking of Motown coming to the Westport Country Playhouse (above) — and the weather:
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