SoNo Eighties

Taking a look back at South Norwalk in the 80’s and the revitalization that launched
Beinfield Architecture’s ongoing involvement in SoNo  - and some bits of history

The Corset Factory 1910 and 2004

Washington Prime - corner of Washington and Water

Ann Street  - Corset Factory - 1980's

The view down Ann Street from our archives shows how derelict the area had become. The scaffolded building to the right of the razed lot is the historic R & G corset factory built around 1900. In 1994 Beinfield Architecture refurbished the red-bricked shell into 80 residential units. Historically, the R & G Corset Factory was one of the largest producers of ladies corsets and in 1901 employed about a thousand workers, almost all of them women. This was one of the earliest projects to promote the redevelopment of downtown South Norwalk.

Washington and Water Street - 1980's. The mural on Donovan's facade painted in 1978 by legendary Brechin Morgan,
depicts one of the last working schooners on Long Island Sound

Across from what is now Washington Prime, Donovan’s Pub, formerly Jeremiah Donovan's saloon, has stood at the corner of Washington and Water streets since the late 19th century. Jeremiah Donovan a former Norwalk mayor and U.S. Congressman, owned the bar, which at some point had been a small grocery store as well. The tavern stopped selling liquor during the prohibition but allegedly maintained a speakeasy in the back.

The "Welcome to Historic South Norwalk" mural on the wall of the eastern side of Donovan’s facing the bridge was painted by Brechin Morgan in 1978. Brec had a sign painting business in Norwalk for 23 years and is an accomplished nautical artist. He became legend and hero in 2003 following a 4 1/2 year solo circumnavigation of the world, sailing 32,000 miles to 32 countries in his 27-foot sloop,Otter.

"...Then a fair sail to Suakin in Sudan. Not to be missed. The ruins of the old slave port in the moonlight. Un touched by tourism. All the men in white robes and turbans with long sharp bright swords across their backs and daggers at the belts...fierce..rdng camels through the dusty streets....bblcal.. .. and camels everywhere" Journal entry

“(Brec's) accounts range from the mundane (diet and weather), to the mysterious (giant phosphorescent blobs that flash then fade around the boat; a huge, unidentified sea creature that follows Otter) and mystical....". Hartford Courant 2003

Read an online ledger of Brec Morgans' journal here

Thumbs Up!

Architect Bruce Beinfield talks with transportation consultant Sam Schwartz 

near the Metro-North Walk Bridge

Chairman and CEO of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Clay Fowler

speaks as Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling looks on 

"Thumbs up to Beinfield Architecture PC and Spinnaker Real Estate Partners for inviting transportation engineer Sam Schwartz, “Gridlock Sam,” to Norwalk to talk Wednesday evening about his initial impressions of the Walk Bridge replacement project, as well as his latest book. The principals of the architecture and real estate firms did a community service by elevating the level of dialogue about one of the most critical projects in Norwalk. City leaders are right to consider a consultant to look out for local interests, and to ask for more time to review the state Department of Transportation’s design plan and environmental impact study. The DOT is scheduled to conduct a hearing on the study at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation of the project at 7 p.m., Oct. 6, in City Hall".  The Hour

Transit-Oriented Development takes hold in Norwalk

Colin Grotheer, Associate with Beinfield Architecture, shares the firms' Transit-Oriented Development projects near the South Norwalk Train Station.

Transit-Oriented Development is aimed at revitalizing urban areas by getting people to live in places where they can walk to transit centers such as the South Norwalk Train Station.

On the T.O.D.front - Beinfield Architectures' apartments on Chestnut Street.

The HOUR article here

A Closer Look at the Walk Bridge

For those who missed Sam Schwartzs' informative talk at the Maritime Center - 2 articles here
The Hour    Nancy on Norwalk

Urban Transportation Planning Expert, “Gridlock Sam,” Coming to SoNo!

Please join Beinfield Architecture Wednesday September 14 in welcoming New York Daily News columnist Samuelson I. Schwartz aka "Gridlock Sam" for a free lecture in his area of expertise - Urban Transportation Planning and Engineering.

Sam will comment on the "Walk Bridge Project" which involves the replacement of the existing railroad bridge over the Norwalk River. He will offer his insight as to how the Norwalk community's interests can be represented in the design process.

The lecture will be held at the Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm / Q&A 7:30-8:00 pm
Details here

SoNo Hotel on the Horizon!

 Colin Grotheer of Beinfield Architecture presenting the new design of SoNo Hotel - part of the South Norwalk Transit Oriented Development loop!     NancyonNorwalk/Zoning article here

SoNo Hotel planned for 43-47 South Main St. on the horizon

Imagine this!

a waterfront esplanade in South Norwalk...

read more

Under the conceptual plan drawn up by architect Bruce Beinfield and landscape architect Eric Rains, a 400-foot dock structure would run along the edge of the Norwalk River in the area of North Water Street.

Midsummer Night's Pub Crawl Haiku

Hiroshige   (1797 - 1858)

"Our restaurant portfolio is focused
on endowing the spaces we create with energy.
We conceive our restaurants as vessels in which to transport
the patrons to places apart from the ordinary".
Invention plays an important role in this work."

       

                Beinfield Architecture has designed so many of SONO’s best loved restaurants.
                Consistently acclaimed for ambiance, where the space is cited as often as
                the cuisine and service.
                           Here are 3 for your midsummer eve pub crawl consideration!

“… Barcelona's ambiance is like the cherry on top. It not only has the gritty SoNo feel
with the exposed wrought iron beams and big windows looking out at the downtown area,
but it also possesses a certain European chic-ness to it…”

Tripadvisor review 5 stars ambience

                                                                  

“SoNo is a great place to be in the summer time, and there's probably not a better place to sit outside
and have a drink than Harlan Publick. Food is very good, but the overall atmosphere is what makes it great.

Scene is hard to beat.  A great courtyard that the bar opens up onto."

“Excellent summertime experience” tripadvisor

"Perhaps (Washington Prime’s) strongest selling point is the space. Simply fantastic. Open, inviting, sheek, modern - you will feel like an A-list celebrity when dining here. The restaurant decor itself is lovely--ivy over the open, horseshoe shaped bar. High top tables near the bar, lower tables in the back. A  private room with TV in the back. The lounge outside is awesome too-a fireplace for the winter and some couches to hang out on. ALSO, the space in Washington Prime is very cool. They have board games in the bar area to play, and there appears to be a solid outdoor terrace for lounging with a few beverages."

                                                                                                                                                             YELP