Greenwich Crossing, A $30M Revitalization Project, Officially Launches Downtown

GREENWICH, CT — The Ashforth Company and Greenwich on Monday officially launched Greenwich Crossing, the $30 million revitalization project for Greenwich Plaza, which officials say will be "transformative" for the downtown area.

The first phase of the project is the construction of a new 5,000-square-foot restaurant at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Steamboat Road where the old Bow Tie movie theater once stood. The restaurant will feature large sliding glass doors, expansive outdoor seating and a green roof that will be designed with soil and plantings.

The revitalization project will also feature a redesigned and welcoming train station, a modernized mixed-use space, new pedestrian and commuter pathways, new landscaping and plantings, improved access to the train platforms, and redesigned retail spaces

Several retail tenants were forced to close as a result of the impending project. Citibank and Signature Cycle will remain in their existing locations. The anchor restaurant and other storefronts are available for lease.

Officials from The Ashforth Company, town of Greenwich and the state of Connecticut gathered at the construction site Monday to celebrate the launch of the first phase.

"Our hope is to seamlessly connect Greenwich Avenue with the Greenwich Train Station both architecturally and experientially," said Ryan Harvey, CEO and president of The Ashforth Company.

The train station renovation is scheduled to begin in May 2025, and the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of next year, Harvey said.

The town of Greenwich and The Ashforth Company, which owns Greenwich Plaza on Railroad Avenue, have held a public-private partnership for over 50 years. Ashforth developed Greenwich Plaza, a 354,000-square-foot complex of offices, retail stores and theaters at the Greenwich Train Station station, in 1970.

Plans for a major revitalization project at Greenwich Plaza were abandoned in 2019. That iteration, which was much bigger than the current plan, would have built a new luxury movie theater.

As part of a project to redevelop the plaza in 2019, the town would have sold the air rights over the Greenwich Plaza office buildings at 2 Steamboat Road to Ashforth, but a deal was never struck and the plans fell apart.

The movie theater was already in financial trouble before it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The building's physical deficiencies also worsened over the years, so the decision was made to demolish it.

Gov. Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident, was in attendance for Monday's project launch.

"I love seeing Greenwich Avenue come to life, I love to see the outdoor dining, I love to envision what Greenwich Crossing is going to be," Lamont said. "Greenwich and Stamford, you guys can dispute who is the gateway to New England, but this is a big front door to our state and to the entire region. I want people coming through Greenwich to see what an amazing town this is."

First Selectman Fred Camillo expressed excitement for the project on Monday.

"The revitalization of Greenwich and Greenwich Avenue continues with what I believe is the most transformational project to this point," Camillo said. "This really is going to be transformational for this area. This really, really is exciting. I'm looking forward to watching the progress as this goes forward."

The architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle (BBB), the lead designer of the restoration of Grand Central Terminal, designed Greenwich Crossing.

"This is the kind of project that every architect goes to architecture school for," said Frank Prial, principal at BBB. "We have an extraordinary client, an incredible location, and most importantly, an engaged community, because that's the kind of community that generates the interest and the details needed to make a project successful."

Prial said the goal of the project is to create a destination where people want to stay and connect with each other, rather than a place where people are running to catch trains or stopping to purchase something quickly at a retail store.

"The materials that we chose are reflective of other great civic buildings in the area," Prial explained. "The pathways were very carefully studied to make them much more efficient, from the street to the trains, but also to encourage stopping, communicating, and having a uniquely Greenwich experience."

Darrell Harvey, co-chair of the board of the Ashforth Company, spoke about the importance of train transportation. Benjamin Limmer, bureau chief of public transportation for the CT Department of Transportation, said the project "is going to absolutely transform the public transportation experience for all riders."

"Creating an open floor plan with upgraded lighting, modern signage will bring this facility into the 21st century and elevate the experience for all rail customers," Limmer added.

Andrew Ashforth, CEO and president of A.P. Construction and co-chair of the Board of the Ashforth Company, said the goal is to minimize inconveniences associated with the construction work and deliver the project on time and under budget.

"Greenwich Crossing will not only modernize the area, but also introduce a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that invites visitors and enhances the downtown experience," Ashforth said. "We're committed to creating a destination that everyone can be proud of for many, many years to come."

For more information on the project, click here.