Darien
It Takes a Village...to Make a Village Great

OUR MISSION

Our fundamental goal is to create a community asset that will be cherished in the present and for generations to come, which will improve the quality of life for all Darien residents.

Through the planning and building of new, architecturally masterful buildings which will appear to have been built over decades, using the highest quality of materials, we will improve the look, feel and experience of downtown Darien.

OUR TEAM

CO-DEVELOPERS

Baywater Properties
PG Properties

PROJECT ARCHITECT

Beinfield Architecture

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Towers Golde
Dale Design, Inc.

Environmental Land Solutions

 

 

RETAIL CONSULTANT

Gibbs Planning Group

CIVIL ENGINEERS

Tighe & Bond

LEGAL ADVISORS

Maslan & Associates
Shipman & Goodwin
Jacobi, Case & Speranzini

team-logos

ABOUT THE PROJECT
select a reason to learn more
RESIDENTIAL      RETAIL      RECREATION

Downtown Living, Upscale Style

The residences will be designed to meet the needs of the most discerning homeowner, with a focus upon empty-nesters looking for apartment-style living without compromise.

Each residence will feature high ceilings, abundant light, wood flooring throughout, and designer kitchens, and many will incorporate outdoor space. All residences will include an entry foyer, a powder room, walk-in closets, built-ins and ensuite washers and dryers.

Residents of the project will enjoy easy access to all the amenities of downtown Darien, existing and to come, as well as to the Darien Train Station and Tilley Pond Park.


Live Local, Shop Local

We will continue the tradition in Darien of a downtown which is populated mostly with locally-owned retailers, offering the highest quality of service and merchandise.

The retail spaces will embrace the new streets which we will create around the project, and many of the stores will open onto the proposed Town Green.


Shared by Neighbors, Enjoyed by All

The project will significantly enhance the pedestrian experience of downtown Darien.

The proposed public open spaces and Town Green will create an automobile-free zone, where children can safely play and enjoy downtown with their parents or friends. Bicycle racks will be installed throughout the project to encourage visitors to cycle to experience their downtown.

The proposed public spaces and Town Green will be designed to accommodate the Darien Farmer’s Market, concert series like the Darien Summer Nights series, theatrical productions, and even an ice rink.


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VIEW RENDERINGS AND AERIALS

RESOURCES
Presentations
Video Presentations
Communications with Town of Darien and State of Connecticut
Studies
Background on Team
Inspirational Materials
News
Presentation to Planning & Zoning Commission, August 28, 2018
Presentation to Planning & Zoning Commission for 26 East Lane Site Plan, July 31, 2018
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 17, 2018
Presentation to the Environmental Protection Commission, July 11, 2018
Architectural Presentation to Darien’s Architectural Review Board, June 19, 2018
Landscape Presentation to Darien’s Architectural Review Board, June 19, 2018
Presentation to Darien's Architectural Review Board, March 6th, 2018
Presentation to Darien Board of Realtors, January 18, 2018
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commision, December 5, 2017
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, January 10, 2017
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 12, 2016
Top Fifteen Reasons to Approve the Baywater Downtown Project, July 12 2016
Introduction for P&Z Presentation, June 21, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, June 21, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, May 31, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 31, 2018
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 17, 2018
Presentation to the Environmental Protection Commission, July 11, 2018
Presentation to the Architectural Review Board, March 6, 2018
Presentation to Town of Darien at the Darien Library, April 6, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, January 16, 2018
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, December 5, 2017
Preliminary Retail Plan, October 28, 2015
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission Deliberations, March 7, 2017
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission Deliberations, February 28, 2017
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission Deliberations, February 21, 2017
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, January 10, 2017
Presentation to Darien Board of Realtors, October 15, 2015
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission Deliberations, September 6, 2016
Darien Planning & Zoning Commission Deliberations, August 2, 2016
Interview with David Genovese, Darien Sidewalk Sales, July 15, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 21, 2015
Introduction for P&Z Presentation, July 21, 2015
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 12, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, June 21, 2016
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, May 31 2016
Responses to Questions Posed Regarding Corbin Site Plan, August 28, 2018
Responses to Questions Posed Regarding 26 East Lane Site Plan, August 28, 2018
Submission to Planning & Zoning Regarding Corbin Site Plan, August 23, 2018
Submission to Planning & Zoning Regarding East Lane Site Plan, August 23, 2018
Response to Questions Posed Regarding 26 East Lane, August 22, 2018
Presentation to Town of Darien at the Darien Library, April 6, 2016
Submission to Planning & Zoning Commission, July 31, 2018
Letter to Planning & Zoning Department, July 17, 2018
Architectural Review Board Approval, June 25, 2018
Architectural Review Board Approval for Special Needs/Senior Housing Proposal, June 25, 2018
Environmental Protection Commission Agent Approval of a Regulated Activity, June 14, 2018
Baywater Corbin Site Plan Application to Darien’s Planning & Zoning Commission, June 2018
Baywater Corbin Application to Darien’s Environmental Protection Commission, June 2018
Baywater Corbin Application to Darien’s Architectural Review Board, June 2018
Baywater Housing Partners Application to Darien’s Planning & Zoning Commission, Overlay Zone, June 2018
Baywater Housing Partners Site Plan Application to Darien’s Planning & Zoning Commission, June 2018
Baywater Housing Partners Application to Darien’s Environmental Protection Commission, June 2018
Baywater Housing Partners Application to Darien’s Architectural Review Board June 2018
Presentation to Darien Board of Realtors, October 15, 2015
Approval of Text Amendment, January 26, 2018
Presentation to Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, July 21, 2015
      (Note: Presentation starts at 1:00:36)
Memo on Downtown Darien, December 6, 2017
Application to Darien P&Z Commission, October 27, 2017
Approval for Proposed Text Amendment, March 13, 2017
Petition Signers as Published in Darien Times, January 10, 2017
Baywater Corbin Project Letters of Support, January 10, 2017
Baywater Corbin Project Letters of Concern & Questions, January 10, 2017
Response to Questions Posed Regarding Subarea Parking, January 9, 2017
Application to Darien PZC for Amendment to CBD Zoning Regulations October 19, 2016
For Parents Of Developmentally Disabled Adults, The Wait For Help Never Ends, July 20, 2018
Is Retail Dead, or Just Changing?, June 29, 2018
What Makes Walkable Communities Work, June 26, 2018
Catalytic Development: Kickstarting Walkable Urban Places, June 1, 2018
Letter to Planning & Zoning Department, July 8 2016
The Store is Dead, Long Live the Store!, May 4, 2018
Quantifying the Death of the Classic American Main Street, April 22, 2018
Letter from Tighe & Bond to Planning & Zoning Department, July 8, 2016
Why We Should Be Optimistic About Retail, April 13, 2018
How to Bring a High Street Back From the Dead, March 29, 2018
The Ticking Time Bomb for Suburban Retail, March 8, 2018
Baywater Corbin Project Letters of Support, June 21, 2016
10 Techniques for Making Cities More Walkable, March 6, 2018
Malls and the Future of American Retail, March 5, 2018
Baywater Corbin Project Letters of Concern or Questions, June 21, 2016
The Perilous Politics of Parking, March 5, 2018
Curating Malls Is New Business Model: Platform LA Shows The Way, February 28, 2018
Application to Darien PZC for Amendment to CBD Zoning Regulations March 29, 2016
How Craft Breweries Are Helping to Revive Local Economies, February 28, 2018
This Is Why Art Is the New Amenity for Leading Real-Estate Developers, January 22, 2018
Meeting Millennials Where They Shop: Shaping the Future of Malls, January 22, 2018
Millennials and the Silent Gen Agree: Walkability Wins, January 5, 2018
Keeping it Local, December 29, 2017
Letter from Architectural Review Board concerning November 17, 2015 Meeting
Why Downtown Parking Garages May be Headed for Extinction, December 12, 2017
Tony Seba: Clean Disruption - Energy & Transportation, December 6, 2017
Town Historian Comments to Letter from Baywater Summarizing November 17, 2015
     Meeting with Architectural Review Board
Creating Streets People Can Identify With, November 27, 2017
Mom-and-Pop Shops Are Threatening the Mall This Holiday Season, November 22, 2017
Route 1 Corridor Study, January 2013
Starbucks Closes Online Store to Focus on In-Person Experience, October 1, 2017
So Much for the Retail Apocalypse, September 28, 2017
At Luxury Stores, It Isn’t Shopping, It’s an Experience, April 19, 2017
Darien Revitalization Resource Team Report, May 22-25, 2006
Urban vs. Suburban: Where to Place the Workplace, March 3, 2017
Parking Study from UCONN, November 15, 2005
Great Storefronts Mean Vital Places, February 27, 2017
Great Idea: Pedestrian Shed and the 5-Minute Walk, February 7, 2017
Beinfield Architecture
Eight Strategies for Downtown Practitioners Facing New Retail Realities, January 23, 2017
Gibbs Planning Group Credentials
Meeting Millennials Where They Shop: Shaping the Future of Malls, January 23, 2017
What Makes a Good Main Street, December 13, 2016
Letter: As Spree in Darien Closes, Owner Thanks Community, July 31, 2018
Planning & Zoning Begins Review of the Corbin Project, a Proposed Redevelopment of Downtown Darien, July 19, 2018
Baywater Unveils New Site Plan for Downtown Corbin Project, June 28, 2018
Genovese Receives Connecticut Main Street Founder's Award, May 27, 2018
Where is Retail Headed? November 29, 2016
Americans Want Walkable Neighborhoods
Small Business Thrives in Darien, July 20, 2016
Corbin Project: Discussions Continue Over Redesign, March 15, 2018
Corbin Project Reveals New Design for Downtown Redevelopment, December 5, 2017
New Plan for Corbin Project: Less Large, With Bigger Footprint, December4, 2017
How a High ‘Walk Score’ Boosts Your Home’s Value, August 11, 2016
The Town Center Regains Significance, August 2, 2016
Rising Signs for Commercial Office Sales in Fairfield County, November 24, 2017
Renzo Piano Reimagines the Suburbs, June 2016
What DHS Students Want: Stores & Food in Town, May 16 2016
Downtown Darien Development Receives First P&Z Approval, March 15, 2017
Noroton Heights and Corbin Drive Redevelopments Make Strides at P&Z, March 8, 2017
Jeff Speck: The General Theory of Walkabilty
Baywater Moves Forward with OKed Amendments, March 1, 2017
Downtown Darien Redevelopment Plans Return, January 11, 2017
Top 10 Stories of 2016: #1 —Downtown Development Takes Center Stage, January 6, 2017
Downtown Darien Redevelopment Project May Finally Move Forward November 21, 2016
Baywater Refiles Revised Downtown Zoning Amendment Application, October 20, 2016
Darien, Other Communities Boast Developments for Home Buyers, September 16, 2016
Morning News Beat: 12-Year Old Wisdom, November 6, 2015
Fred Kent: Creating Public Spaces
The 3 / 50 Project - Supporting indepentently owned businesses
The Classic American Road Diet
Bike Lanes vs. Cycle Track
Genovese: P&Z Limit on Corbin/Post Building Heights May Make Project ‘Impossible’
What To Do with an Extra Five Feet
Letter: Darien Chamber Supports Corbin Drive Project, August 18, 2016
What To Do with an Extra Lane?
Shaking Things Up, August 8, 2016
Demand for Walkable Neighborhoods Outstripping Supply
P&Z Barely Raises Building Height in Noroton Heights Redevelopment, August 3, 2016
Public Hearing Closes for Baywater Downtown Zoning Changes, July 13, 2016
Building Height Discussed in Hearing for Downtown Redevelopment, July 13, 2016
Letter: An open letter to Darien developer David Genovese, July 13, 2016
Developer Keeps Pitching Downtown Darien Redevelopment Plan, July 5, 2016
Letter: Genovese and Glassmeyer Demonstrate a Thoughtful Approach, July 1, 2016
Strong Support for Downtown Darien Development Project, June 26, 2016
Business Owners Give Support for Downtown Redevelopment Plan, June 22, 2016
Building Height in Baywater Corbin Proposal Cut from Roughly 95 to 85 Feet, June 22, 2016
Dozens Show Support for Downtown Zoning Changes, June 22, 2016
Baywater Details Downtown Darien Redevelopment, April 14, 2016
Developer's Hope for Redevelopment Described to Packed Room, April 8, 2016
Presentation of Downtown Development Plan on April 6, March 18, 2016
Baywater Previews Special Needs Housing Facility for Adults, January 14, 2016
Developer Peddles Downtown Bike Study, November 24, 2015
New Vision for Downtown Darien, July 23, 2015
Waking Up Darien, March 2011
Off-Street Parking Plan for Darien Center, July 19, 1951
September 4, 2018 Planning & Zoning Commission, Darien Town Hall Auditorium, 8pm

FAQs
 How do you plan to accommodate the parking that will be required of the Project?
We will be increasing the amount of parking in the vicinity of the project significantly, and in a number of ways. We want to be mindful not to be a burden on the surrounding community and to provide more parking than exists today. We plan to significantly increase the onsite parking and increase the street and surface parking available today. On the Boston Post Road, we will remove the existing "back-out" parking and replace it with parallel parking. Regarding the unsightly current surface parking lots located throughout the area today, we are planning to replace them with one level of underground parking, as well as a 3-story parking structure which will be wrapped with a building, concealed from view. We believe that the parking plan provided will be more than sufficient to address the demand of the project.
 When will the project be complete and open for business?
We are going to need community support to get this project built as quickly as possible, and community members have the ability to influence the timing. We have had a preliminary discussion of our plans with the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Architectural Review Board, and we submitted the final necessary applications to the Town of Darien at the beginning of June 2018. We hope to receive approval for our project in the fall of 2018, and to start the construction in 2019. There is an enormous amount of work to do for a project like this one, and we will need significant support from the community to work through the process expeditiously. We expect to build the project in two or three phases, with a goal of final completion in 2020 or 2021.
 What can you tell me about the proposed public spaces?
Baywater Properties and PG Properties have incorporated attractive, functional public spaces in each of their mixed-use projects in downtown Darien, such as Grove Street Plaza or Gofer Park. These public spaces have become cherished by the community. The public spaces proposed will be generously sized and designed for multiple uses, each will provide the opportunity for different settings and each will have a different, unique personality. The largest of the public spaces will be a beautifully landscaped park area where community events can be held, and a place for children to play in a safe and secure environment, as well as for people from the neighborhood to just sit, relax and enjoy the day. We want to host farmers markets, concerts, yoga classes, art shows, and other exciting and fun community events in and around our project.
 What stores will be in the Project?
We have been hearing from residents about favorite stores, restaurants and businesses they would like to see and we love receiving that input. We envision adding to the retailers in downtown Darien a number of artisanal food purveyors, as well as retailers of women's clothing, home goods, children's clothing, shoes, lingerie, and swimwear. At this time, we do not have any agreements with tenants other than our existing customers, but please be sure to register on our website to receive email announcements. If you have good ideas for us as to retailers you would like to see come to Darien, please let us know! We welcome your input, as this is your downtown!
 What about the traffic that the new buildings will generate?
We have studied the traffic implications of the Project and we believe that with good planning, the traffic situation of downtown Darien may actually improve as a result of the Project. The current back-out parking on the Boston Post Road creates traffic delays and accidents on a regular basis. New side streets off of the Boston Post Road will serve to take pressure off of the Boston Post Road and should improve the flow of cars through the downtown. Given that a large number of office employees would be expected to commute to work via Metro North, the impact on traffic in the area will not be as significant as one might think. Lastly, by creating a special place where people can live, work and play, we will reduce the need for many people in our community today to drive to downtown Darien.
 What about the Project's impact on Schools?
We have designed the apartments that will be part of the Project as mostly 2-bedroom units with a study that could be used as an occasional guestroom. The units are expected to measure 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and given that there will be no outdoor amenities and that the project is located in downtown Darien, we do not expect young families to purchase or rent the units. Our recent experience in building and managing 745 Boston Post Road in Darien, which includes 8 luxury rental apartments, is important as that unit was 100% leased during construction to 7 different individuals and families, none of whom had any children in the Darien Public School system. Our initial tenants included young couples "trying out" Darien as a place to call home, and empty nesters looking for a simpler, maintenance-free way to live in Darien. An important point to consider is that the increased tax revenue generated for the Town of Darien by our development, which we are analyzing now, will be very significant and could be used to fund potentially necessary expansions to the existing Darien Public School system, lessening the burden on residential property owners.

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