By James Lomuscio
Built in 1835 as a residence for Westport slaughterhouse workers, the preserved structure at 15 Powers Court will soon house a behavior therapy group, principals of SIR Development LLC have announced.
Robert Haroun (l) and Kevin Holtzman outside 15 Powers Court adjacent to the Westport Country Playhouse (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The Dialectical & Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center has leased the building’s 2,500 square feet, as it plans to relocate from its 29 Imperial Ave. location.
“We are looking forward to moving into our new, custom-built offices in a central location,” Kevin Holtzman, a psychologist and founder of the therapy group, said about the move.
The building is located near the Westport Country Playhouse at 25 Powers Court. All of the property was originally part of a slaughterhouse used for a New York City leather manufacturer in the hat trade, according to the Westport Historical Society (WHS).
Two similar structures, now 319 and 311 Post Road East, had also been used as worker residences.
According to Katie Chase, WHS archivist, Powers Court used to be called Factory Street, the slaughterhouse owned by R&H Haight. The property included four workers cottages, three of which were on the Post Road.
In 1866 Charles Kemper purchased the land and buildings to operate a steam-driven cider mill.
Over the years, much in the area changed except for the building at 15 Powers Court, which fell into disrepair, straddling both a business and residential zone.
Robert Haroun, SIR Development principal who purchased the building in 2007, noted the property posed development challenges. He said maintaining it as a residence was no longer practical.
Haroun said he found solutions when he went before the town’s planning and zoning staff, and eventually the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). The commission later rezoned 15 Powers Court a Business Preservation District (BPD).
“All the needs of the public and owner were met,” Haroun said. “The preservation of the structure took place while a commercial use was substituted for the outdated residential use, resulting in a Westport business remaining in Westport.’
According to Laurence Bradley, director of the Planning and Zoning Department, “the whole purpose of a Business Preservation District zone is to maintain the residential character of an existing building.”
“It is not intended to lead to a wholesale redevelopment or an intensification of commercial uses,” said Bradley.
He added that the building, “which has a Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard feel to it, creates a little transition between the Post Road and the residential area” set back from it.
Haroun noted that a lot of people have driven by 15 Powers Court over the past four years “and wondered what was going on.”
“Now that the renovation and preservation is complete, and our new tenants are moving in, it can finally be brought to a successful close,” said Haroun, whose company also own 90 Post Road East, the old Town Hall building.
“Although more restrictive than General Business District, this (BPD) zone was more suited for the appropriate market uses and the building preservation we envisioned and desired by the Town Plan,” he added.”
Haroun also thanked the P&Z and zoning staff for working with him for the zone change.
“It is cooperation like this that leads to smart growth and smart development for our town,” he said.
