Gov Lamont Joins Officials to Kick-Off “Greenwich Crossing,” Starting with Construction of 5,000 Sq Ft Restaurant

After the summer-long demolition of the former movie theater on the corner of Railroad Ave and Steamboat Rd, The Ashforth Company officially kicked off its $30 million Greenwich revitalization project with the start of construction on a 5,000-square-foot luxury restaurant.

With heavy equipment poised for work in the now empty lot where the Bow Tie Cinema previously stood, a crowd that included elected officials, community leaders, and local business representatives gathered Monday morning to mark the occasion.

As trucks and trains whizzed by, Ashforth Co’s CEO Ryan Harvey welcomed the crowd, joking that the traffic noise was “part of the experience,” before he introduced Governor Lamont.

“I respect your perseverance. This took a while, but it took a while to get it right,” Lamont said, listing all the approvals that had been necessary.

“There’s a hundred ways to say no, but only one or two ways to get the yes. Thank goodness you got the yes,” Lamont said.

Noting Greenwich was also his hometown, he said said the project went a long way to creating a more vibrant downtown.

“Greenwich and Stamford, you can dispute who is the gateway to New England,” he joked. “This is a big front door to our state and the entire region. I want people to come through Greenwich to see what an amazing town this is.”

Bureau Chief of Public Transportation for the the Dept of Transportation, Benjamin Limmer said the project was a long time coming. “The collaboration that CT Dot has with Ashforth was second to none,” he said.

“TOD (transportation oriented development) is a major focus for us at CTDOT, and we believe this project is going to absolutely transform the public transportation experience for all riders,” Limmer continued. “Across our state, we’re seeing how public-private partnership investments in TOD’s are reviving down centers, creating vibrant mixed-use communities that invite residents and visitors to embrace public transportation, reduce our overall dependence on cars, and encourage small business activity, as well as housing.”

“Today, we’re not just building a structure – we’re creating a brand-new, exciting experience for Greenwich residents and visitors alike. We are thrilled that our expansive redevelopment, which we have named Greenwich Crossing, will completely transform and revitalize the train station and the surrounding retail, serving as an impressive and vibrant gateway to the heart of downtown Greenwich,” said Ryan Harvey, CEO & President of The Ashforth Company.

In addition to the construction of the anchor restaurant, renovations of the existing storefronts are underway. The train station renovation is on schedule to begin in May 2025 and the entire project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025, as noted on greenwichcrossing.com.

Aside from Citibank and Signature Cycle, which will remain in their existing locations, the anchor restaurant and other storefronts are available for lease.

“Greenwich Crossing will become an extension of Greenwich Avenue, one of the premier pedestrian shopping destinations in the region. We are excited it will attract more visitors and business opportunities to the downtown area, contributing to the overall economic growth of Greenwich,” added Harvey. “We are incredibly proud and thankful to all who supported us in getting this project underway, including the Town of Greenwich, the Planning & Zoning and Architectural Review Committees, the CT Department of Transportation, Metro-North Railroad, and the Greenwich community. Also, our extraordinary architect, Beyer Blinder Belle, our amazing team of employees, and design and construction partners.”

The $30 million revitalization project will feature a redesigned and welcoming train station, a new anchor restaurant with large sliding glass doors and expansive outdoor seating, modernized mixed-use space, new pedestrian and commuter pathways, and improved access to the train platform.

All will be renovated to provide new retail storefronts and tenant spaces, connecting the active retail streetscape of Greenwich Avenue to the Greenwich Train Station.

The architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle, the lead designer of the restoration of Grand Central Terminal, designed the project.

“BBB is proud to be a part of The Ashforth Company’s redevelopment of the Greenwich Railroad Station and adjacent Railroad Avenue retail and restaurant areas into the new Greenwich Crossing, a legacy project that will benefit the town of Greenwich and the entire region,” said Frank Prial, Principal at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners.

“We listened carefully and worked closely with the entire community to provide a more welcoming gateway, extend the downtown shopping experience, and create a place which celebrates the unique spirit of Greenwich,” Prial added.

The design and the materials selected for the train station were carefully considered to enhance the building’s civic status and to reference other historic buildings in the Greenwich downtown area, such as the original Town Hall (the current Senior Center) and the former Post Office (now Restoration Hardware).

“At A.P. Construction our mission is to complete projects that exceed expectations and endure the test of time. Greenwich Crossing will not only modernize the area but also introduce a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that invites visitors and enhances the downtown experience. We are committed to creating a destination that everyone can be proud of,” said Andrew Ashforth, CEO & President of A.P. Construction and Co-Chair of the Board of The Ashforth Company.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said, “The revitalization of Greenwich and Greenwich Ave continues with what I believe is the most transformational project to this point.”

“I can’t believe it’s been over five years since we started meeting on this,” he added. “I was excited when you showed me the photos five years ago and I’m just as excited looking up at that banner now.”

Greenwich Crossing will include beautifully landscaped space at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Steamboat Road, surrounding the anchor restaurant area and providing convenient public access to the Metro-North platform. The restaurant will offer abundant outdoor seating and a “green roof,” designed with soil and plantings that serve a critical role in water quality and management.

Additionally, new street trees will be planted the length of Railroad Avenue to Arch Street and new plantings will be added along the eastern end of the Metro-North platform and along Arch Street up to the Metro-North overpass. These areas have been designed by Eric Rains Landscape Architecture.

All areas of Greenwich Crossing will be planted with a mix of native and ornamental evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. These plants are selected for their seasonal appeal, pollinator benefits and the habitat they provide for birds. The planting buffer between the building and the Metro-North platform will feature a “green screen” of evergreen.

The event concluded with remarks from Darrell Harvey, Co-Chair of the Board of The Ashforth Company.

“The Ashforth Company and the families of our ownership have been committed to Greenwich for over 100 years, so this project is very personal for us. We are thrilled and proud that we are building Greenwich Crossing, which is an incredibly important and transformative development that will serve the Greenwich community and the local region for years to come. It’s a collaboration and we thank everyone involved.”

The design and construction team includes Developer: The Ashforth Company; Construction Manager: A.P. Construction, a division of The Ashforth Company; Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP; MEP/FP Engineer: AKF Group LLC; Structural Engineer: Desimone Consulting Engineers; Land Surveyor/Civil Engineer: Redniss & Mead; Landscape Architect: Eric Rains Landscape Architecture, LLC;  Lighting Consultant: Lightcraft; and Leasing Agent: Joyce Storm, Storm Partners, LLC.