If you’re like most Westporters, you figured the construction at 251-253 Riverside Avenue — at the foot of Sylvan Lane, on the left just before JR’s Deli heading toward I-95 — had something to do with the nondescript office building nearby. You didn’t give it a second glance.
The next time you drive past, you will.
Last week, Christine Finch Oleynick showed the finished product to the world. Well, to at least a few dozen very interested fellow realtors, and potential renters.
The renovation of a former office building flew way under the radar. It’s now 8 apartments — 2 and 3- bedrooms, right on the Saugatuck River.
The Anchorage (right) hugs the Saugatuck River.
Six are market rate: $10,500 to $12,500 a month (unfurnished). The other 2 are deemed affordable, according to state formulas.
As Westport debates large apartment complexes — some planned, some already under construction — at sites like the train station, Hiawatha Lane and Post Road West, smaller ones are cropping up all around town.
Think of the new units near Pizza Lyfe and Lyfe Café, for example.
But it’s doubtful any have the river views of “The Anchorage at Saugatuck.”
The view from the kitchen (virtually staged) …
With floor to ceiling windows, and balconies hanging almost over the water, these take advantage of the Saugatuck River in a way Westport seldom sees.
The Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant, Saugatuck Rowing Club and Rive Bistro all pay homage to the river. There’s a riverwalk at the medical complex. But this renovation has gone out of its way to maximize its location.
… and a bedroom (also virtually staged).
Standing in the unfurnished living rooms and bedrooms, and on the balconies — looking both upriver and downriver, with a turn of the head — I saw and considered the Saugatuck in a way I’d never done before.
The renovation is almost complete. Still to come: electric car chargers, and $75,000 worth of landscaping.
Views from the deck are both downriver …
Oleynick hopes the first tenants can move in around June 15. The Anchorage has elicited plenty of interest, from residents looking to downsize, New Yorkers looking for a weekend home, even folks looking for a rental while their own home is being renovated. All rentals are for 1 or 2 years.
… and upriver. (All photos courtesy of MLS Smart)
I’m not looking to move. I’m happy where I am. And — go figure — the price range is a little beyond what I can afford.
I must admit, though: I was intrigued. I began imagining myself in The Anchorage, on the river.
But then I looked out from one of the bedrooms, which I could convert to an office.
I know I can’t live there.
With those views of the river, I’d never get any work done.
(“06880” regularly covers real estate — and much more, including everything Saugatuck River related. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Do you boat, sail, paddle, row or cruise along the Saugatuck River?
If so, Connecticut’s Department of Transportation wants to hear from you.
They’ve posted a survey, as part of the Saugatuck River Waterway Study. The goal is to support planning efforts for infrastructure improvements, including the Saugatuck River railroad bridge.
Questions relate to a variety of river users, and planned activities within the next 20 years. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Click here for the survey.
Questions? Contact Erica Blonde: 857-208-8985, or eblonde@hntb.com.
Saugatuck River railroad bridge. (Photo/Doug Steinberg)
=================================================
Molly Alger writes: “When you read about the streets in town being repaired, you have an image of the old surface being torn up and a new surface put down over it.
‘On some streets the work is considerably more extensive — and grueling and challenging for town crews. Whitney Street is being widened, and the sidewalk widened and replaced (much needed). I am astonished to walk by the work every day.
“Huge boulders are being removed, broken up, and/or installed as walls along the road. Truly amazing efforts are being expended on this project.
“The men are rightly proud of their efforts and this project. They are upbeat, polite and attentive every day — and beyond any definition of ‘hard-working.’
“As a Whitney Street resident, ‘thank you’ is grossly insufficient acknowledgment of this grueling work.”
Working hard, on Whitney Street. (Photos/Molly Alger)
Based on the photo below, I called it “Flora Aesthetics & Spa.” I noted that I could find nothing about it online, beyond a similarly named “Flora Aesthetics & Wellness” in Ventura, California.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
Reader Aini Rockwell pointed out that the business is actually “Elora,” not “Flora.”
Bingo!
Unfortunately, a quick Google search for that name was equally fruitless. This time I found 2 “Elora” aesthetics businesses.
One is in Cyprus. The other is in Qatar.
If anyone knows anything about this new Westport venture, click “Comments” below.
=================================================
Prospect Gardens — the spectacular 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space featuring flowers, plants — is open to public twice a year. The next date is tomorrow (Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The event is a partnership with the National Garden Conservancy.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner will there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members will explain how they plant, tend and harvest the 3-tiered vegetable garden. Last season, their harvest of over 1000 pounds was donated to local organizations that feed families in need.
The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be fresh off an appearance last night, at New York’s Birdland Club.
The Y’s Men and guests got a sneak preview yesterday.
Y’s Men and guests, at Prospect Gardens. (Photo/Susan Garment)
=================================================
Speaking of gardens: Volunteers from 2 clubs — Westport and Greens Farms — lent their green thumbs yesterday to Susie’s House.
The gardeners ensured that everything looks stunning for today’s AWARE event, a fundraiser for Homes with Hope’s Compo Road North supportive housing for young women.
Garden work, at Susie’s House. (Photo/Kathie Motes Bennewitz)
=================================================
Summer is here!
A full moon and warm weather brought the grill and picnic crowd to Compo’s South Beach last night.
“John and Jen,” the musical co-written by Staples High School graduate and longtime Westporter Tom Greenwald over 30 years ago, is running now through June 7 at the Berkshire Theater Festival in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
And finally … the DOT’s survey (story above) got us thinking about how many ways we roll on the river.
(“06880” is proud to be your hyper-local blog. We’re proud to bring you news, features, photos and much more, 24/7/365. And we’d be extra proud if you click here, to support our work. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
