Stamford Advocate: The old U.S. Post Office on Atlantic Street in Stamford, Conn. — closed since being sold to a developer three years ago for $4.3 million — was given a new day in the spotlight as dozens of city residents gathered inside to learn about the historic structure’s past, present and future.
“Today, we are not lamenting the lack of letters and the closing of this post office, but we are here to celebrate the fact that this beautiful historic building will be rehabilitated and converted into a new use,” said Lynn Drobbin, chair of Stamford’s Historic Preservation Advisory Commission.
The 1916 neo-Renaissance Italianate federal-style building, which has stood empty as one of the casualties of struggling post offices across the country that have been closed, downsized — and in some cases, demolished — will be flanked by two high-rise towers housing 650 apartments. And on Saturday, Bruce Berg, CEO of the Capelli Organization of White Plains, N.Y., said the oldest part of the site — which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 — will be restored and converted into a food hall, similar to the Urbanspace markets that dot New York City.
“We think this will be a great compliment not only to downtown Stamford, but to the buildings next door,” the developer said. “And we will be preserving the architecture at the same time.”
His statements, which included plans to offer pizza, a cheese shop and other vendors that may include a full restaurant, were met with loud, resounding bursts of applause throughout the lecture hall. Read more.
