Approval Sought For 150-Seat Restaurant With Valet Parking In Greenwich: Planning & Zoning Documents

GREENWICH, CT — Following a review of potential operators of the approved 112-seat restaurant that will be part of the Greenwich Crossing train station redevelopment project, developers are seeking approval for 150 seats with a valet parking component, according to documents recently submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

In March 2023, the commission authorized GP Holding Company Inc. to demolish the former Bow Tie Cinema theatre building and construct a new mixed-use, 112-seat restaurant and retail building with a pedestrian plaza.

The approval also included improvements to pedestrian access to the train platform, renovations to the remaining mixed-use building, upgrades to the train station itself, and sidewalk improvements to the area around Railroad Avenue and Steamboat Road.

"While the approved 112-seat corner restaurant space, located at 34 Railroad Avenue and comprising just under 5,000 SF, was originally planned following a thoughtful process that considered anticipated operations for a full-service restaurant, as the Applicant has worked with prospective restaurant operators it has become clear that a seating count of 150 better aligns with the operational needs of a full-service restaurant within a space of this size," wrote Michele Cronin, a planning consultant for the applicant, in submitted documents.

There would be 130 dining seats and 20 bar seats, the project narrative states. Outdoor seating will also be included.

"Accordingly, in order to accommodate the contemplated 150-seat restaurant while continuing to maintain the site’s pre-existing parking nonconformity, the applicant proposes to implement a full-time valet parking program within the on-site parking lot. Valet operations would be managed by a professional parking management firm," Cronin wrote.

Cronin noted the applicant intends to provide an updated parking and traffic analysis in support of its formal request to modify the 2023 approval.

The anticipated seating increase plus the valet parking plan, "will not result in any material change to downtown traffic or parking conditions, especially when area traffic and parking demand is highest," Cronin wrote.

The size of the restaurant space itself is not proposed to increase.

A restaurant has not yet been named for the space.

According to an announcement from The Ashforth Company last month, renovations to the remaining storefronts are nearing completion, while construction of the restaurant and landscaping is expected to continue through early spring 2026.

The redeveloped train station reopened on Jan. 30.

The proposal for the seating increase and valet parking component is expected to go before the Planning & Zoning Commission in the coming weeks as part of a pre-application review process.

Pre-application reviews allow applicants to receive initial comments from the commission before submitting a formal application.