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Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals Approves First New Development of its Kind in Downtown Baldwin
Long-Abandoned Two-Story Building Will Feature Office Space and Residential Apartments
Christian Browne, a Partner with the Firm, successfully represented Baldwin Medical Realty, LLC before the Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals for a mixed-use project on a two-story building located at 800 Merrick Road (corner of Merrick Road and Foxhurst Avenue) in downtown Baldwin.
The project calls for two retail stores on the first floor and two two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments on the second floor. As a result of the Board of Appeals’ decision, this mixed-use development project — commercial and residential space commingled in one structure — will be the first new development of its kind to be located in downtown Baldwin.
The building was occupied by a printing company before it closed down in 2003. Before that, the building consisted of retail space on the first floor and seven offices on the second floor. "The building has been on the market for 13 years with no interested buyers," Mr. Browne said.
Mr. Browne said his client sought to place a medical practice in the building but, for various reasons, the plan never came to fruition. "Our client was stuck with this building and spent the better part of the last 10-plus years trying to sell it."
Mr. Browne submitted the proposed retail/residential project to the Town, which referred it to the Board of Appeals since Town code requires special permission from the Board of Appeals for such mixed-use projects. On October 5, 2016, the Board of Appeals approved the project. In addition, Mr. Browne successfully obtained parking variances for five parking spaces on the property. As part of the project, the building will undergo major renovations of its exterior and the conversion of upstairs office space into apartments.
"This area of Baldwin has been the site of a promising renaissance and renewal, and our client is a pioneer in that revitalization," Mr. Browne said. "This will be the first new building of this type to be located in the heart of downtown Baldwin. We are taking a vacant structure and restoring it to good use."
This was reported by Long Island Business News.
Click here to read the article.
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