Residents Turn Out in Droves to Preserve the "Front Door" of Greenwich Avenue
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A Greenwich Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission hearing held on Tuesday brought out a passionate crowd to discuss the future of the historic buildings anchoring the top of Greenwich Avenue. Reflecting deep community interest, the virtual meeting attracted nearly 100 Zoom attendees eager to voice their perspectives.
A Fight to Preserve Greenwich's Architectural History
The central debate revolves around a redevelopment proposal seeking to demolish 2 Greenwich Avenue and its adjacent structures to make way for a higher, more dense, new four-story, mixed-use building featuring 14 apartments.
Residents and officials overwhelmingly voiced concerns over losing yet another historical landmark. For many, the proposal raised painful comparisons to the iconic Tudor-style Pickwick Arms Hotel—once situated directly across the street—which was demolished in 1972 to make way for the modern Pickwick Plaza office buildings.
The sentiment across the community is clear: Greenwich Avenue’s historic charm must be protected.
While the local Greenwich Historic District Commission expressed serious concerns, its authority is limited to delaying demolition through a standard stay. However, growing calls for involvement by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) could offer broader leverage to address community concerns.
Dialogue and Next Steps
The Planning & Zoning Commission asked the applicant to demonstrate that demolition is an absolute necessity rather than a preference. The concept of adaptive reuse—specifically preserving the original historic façade while redeveloping the interior—resonated strongly with both commissioners and residents.
The Commission urged property co-owner Jonathan Marcus to return in September with revised plans addressing these concerns.
Highlighted Statements from the Meeting:
Commission Chair Margarita Alban: "It is one of the most photographed buildings in town and it anchors Greenwich Avenue... it has magic."
Commissioner Mary Jenkins: "With two distinct, contemporary taller buildings, it looks to me like a Tudor sandwich."
Commissioner Arn Welles: "You've got those enormous windows... they look like spaceships."
RTM District 1 Chair Frederick Lee: "Greenwich Avenue is not just a shopping street. It is our town's front porch, and these buildings are its front door."
Between the Lines: Thanks to hard-learned lessons from losing the Pickwick Arms Hotel across the street, Greenwich isn’t making the same mistake twice. Expect heavy pressure on the developer to deliver a true historic preservation in the coming months.