Tag Archives: Bruce Beinfield

Remembering Bruce Beinfield

Posted on July 3, 2025 | 6 comments
Bruce Beinfield — a 1970 Staples High School graduate and noted architect, who designed many iconic local homes and buildings — died last Friday. He was 73, and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The son of Marjorie and Dr. Malcolm Beinfield, a renowned surgeon, he was raised in Westport, then headed west. Bruce graduated from the University of Colorado – Boulder, then earned a master’s of architecture with honors from the University of Colorado – Denver.

It was there that he discovered how architecture could channel and create emotional energy; where he obtained a Colorado ID that he carried in his wallet until his last day, and where he became a lifetime Colorado Buffs fan.

In 1983 Bruce and his wife Kathleen moved to Rowayton. That same year, he founded Beinfield Architecture.

Bruce Beinfield

His obituary says, “He devoted his life to harnessing architecture to make a positive impact on his community. He did not design merely for convenience or efficiency, but for people and context, using architecture to honor the traditions, rituals and mythology of a place.”

Norwalk, particularly Rowayton and South Norwalk, was the greatest beneficiary of his vision. Most recently, he dedicated his efforts to redesigning Darien’s Corbin District.

Bruce designed hundreds of homes, offices, apartment buildings and museums. Beinfield Architecture has received more than 100 design awards, including 44 AIA awards. He drew and designed nearly to the end of his life, includng the conversion of The Mill, on Richmondville Avenue, into condominiums.

His family says, “He was funny, creative, expansive and he always thought for himself. He was often a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He loved Pink Floyd, clams and rare cheeseburgers. He loved his family, gardening, nature, his home, his rituals and the life he built for himself. His work will forever be his greatest passion, and the world is more beautiful because of it.”

Bruce is survived by his wife Carol; children Alex, Carolyn and Suzanne, and their spouses; 7 grandchildren; sisters Harriet and Liz; his first wife, Kathleen; and a beloved community of extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Lynn.

A memorial service will be held at The Platform SoNo on July 20th (4 p.m.)

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The Mill: From 19th Century Factory To 21st Century Condos

Posted on February 20, 2024 | 11 comments

In its 210 years, the brick building on Richmondville Avenue has been home to a twine mill, a candlewick factory, artists’ studios and offices.

The Mill when it was an office building, on Richmondville Avenue.

Later this month, the first owners move into The Mill. That’s the new/old name for the 31-unit luxury condo complex that has been developed — quietly, uniquely, and with an eye toward both the historic past and the modern, amenity-driven future — near the Saugatuck River, just off Main Street.

Despite initial fears by neighbors of increased traffic and noise, the project moved ahead after the 2.41-acre property, with 55,000 square feet of office space, was bought by Coastal Luxury Homes and Gault Family Companies in 2019.

The Mill: ready for occupancy.

As part of the project, the developers created off-site affordable housing. They converted a town-owned 1880 Victorian house at 136 Riverside Avenue into 5 apartments. Four are occupied by people with special needs; a fifth is rented to a staff member.

The historic house got a $2 million restoration (and landscaping) through Redniss & Mead.

136 Riverside Avenue.

On Richmondville, Coastal’s Joe Feinleib, the Gaults and Redniss worked with architects Marybeth Woods, Bruce Beinfield, Philip Hazan, Philip Cerrone and landscaper Bill Kenny to create a concept that The Mill’s website says is “inspired by European boutique hotels.”

All 31 units have different layouts, finishes and ceiling heights. Many include 12-foot windows. Several incorporate the factory’s original brick and stone work.

Primary bedroom, with stone, beams and wide plank floor.

There are 2 styles. “Vintage Modern homes honor the pre-war history of this great structure in the post and beam style, while the New Modern layouts are constructed with steel and glass.” Five units have private outdoor space.

Prices range from $1.495 million to just under $3.5 million. Most are in the $1.7 to $1.8 million range. All have 2 bedrooms, except for the penthouse. Common fees are 93 cents per square foot.

Den and living room.

The Mill’s amenities include a common area with gas fireplace, café, gym, and outdoor lounge with grills and garden.

Artist’s rendering of back yard with lounge, pool area and garden.

A concierge will be on duty 6 days a week, while a furnished guest suite can be reserved for guests.

The Mill is 35% sold. Buyers include Westport residents looking to downsize (units range from 1,400 to 2,400 square feet, out-of-staters who want to be close to family members, and New Yorkers who appreciate the full-service lifestyle, Tribeca/boutique hotel feel, easy commute and proximity to downtown.

“Hudson Malone is next door — and it’s a New York restaurant,” Feinleib notes.

The Richmondville mill has been part of Westport since the early 19th century. When the moving vans arrive this month, it pivots toward the 21st.

(For more information, click here or call 917-388-5432.)

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Nighttime at The Mill.

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Posted in Looking back, Real estate, Restaurants

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Barnes & Noble Nears Downtown Move

Posted on December 14, 2020 | 15 comments

Growing up, Gordon Joseloff loved the Remarkable Book Shop. Klein’s books, too.

For years after the Main Street stores closed, he dreamed of bringing a bookstore back downtown.

Joseloff died last month. But now that’s almost a reality — in a building his family has owned for years.

Joseloff’s cousin Bruce Beinfield – an architect who also grew up here, and remembers the bookstores fondly — is handling negotiations for the Post Road East building.

For decades, it housed the Fine Arts Theater. From 1999 through last spring, it was Restoration Hardware.

Soon — perhaps right after the holidays — Barnes & Noble will move from its current location, to the downtown site. Earlier today, Beinfield confirmed that a deal is imminent.

Barnes & Noble is poised to move here …

The Barnes & Noble chain was acquired last year by Elliott Management Corporation. Their goal is to give local managers more leeway in operating each store.

At 10,000 square feet, the new Barnes & Noble will be smaller than its current store. It moved into the shopping center near Angelina’s after outgrowing its original Post Road location further east (most recently, Pier 1).

Beinfield says that once the deal is finalized, Barnes & Noble hopes to move as soon as possible. Applications for signage are already on file with town officials.

Plans for a new Starbucks café inside have not yet been filed. However, the back of the building will have food. As reported on “06880” last month, Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar will soon replace Matsu Sushi (the former Fine Arts 3 theater) on Jesup Road.

So what will become of the current Barnes & Noble location? There’s no official word, but rumors include Amazon Go — the high-tech, automated, geofenced app-driven store selling prepared foods, meal kits, groceries and alcohol.

If that happens, it would be a full circle of sorts. Before Barnes & Noble, that building was a Waldbaum’s supermarket.

… from here.

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, Looking back, People, Real estate

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The Best Small House In America

Posted on February 4, 2016 | 11 comments

In one corner, we have a 6-story, 48-unit apartment complex proposed for a 1.16-acre parcel of land on the corner of Wilton Road and Kings Highway North.

Right next to it, we have an 1,800-square foot home, on 1.8 acres. In 1988, it won a House Beautiful contest for the “Best Small House in America.”

That home — being cited by opponents of the planned apartments as much more in keeping with the streetscape, scale and marshland environment of the heavily trafficked area — was featured in a March 13, 1988 New York Times story.

Front view of "The Best Small House in America," on Wilton Road near the corner of Kings Highway North.

Front view of “The Best Small House in America,” on Wilton Road near the corner of Kings Highway North…

The house is 42 feet at its highest point. There’s a 30-foot high cathedral, plus 3 bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, office, 3 full baths, 2 half-baths, sauna, exercise room and family room, Not too shabby — or small, really.

Architect Bruce Beinfield’s “whimsical” design, blended modern and traditional architecture. The view from the rear looks across the Taylortown salt marsh and Saugatuck River, to downtown Westport.

...and the rear view, looking across the Taylortown Salt Marsh.

…and the rear view, from the Taylortown Salt Marsh.

The Times said the land — purchased in April 1987 for $213,000 — passed through a number of owners over the years. During construction, workers found evidence of a house from a half century ago.

Asked why no one had developed the site since then, builder James A. Olson Sr. said, “Apparently people didn’t realize the potential of the property.”

The owners of the proposed 48 apartment complex next door sure do.

Bonus fun fact: The home was listed originally for $990,000. A William Pitt broker said, “I guess some people felt that because it’s small, it would sell for about $200,000.”

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Posted in Downtown, Environment, Local politics, People, Places, Real estate

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