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CTArtist, are you thinking of Handy and Harman as the factory?
There were two factories over there. Handy and Harman was where Whole Foods is now and McKessons was where Home Depot is.
I believe those brick homes in Grasmere were all built as part of War Housing during World War I. They not only provided housing for the workers in those two factories, they provided housing for workers in Bridgeport factories as well. Back then there was a trolley that went down the Post Road and Fairfield Avenue through the heart of Bridgeport's West End where important factories like Westinghouse, Bryant Electric, Bridgeport Bead and Chain, Harvey Hubbell and others were located. Those homes are similar in design to the houses of historic Seaside Village in Bridgeport's South End. They are very charming. Jay
Jay, I am back with updates. We ended up choosing Grasmere. Put house under contract near Roanoke. I found Grasmere Avenue to be very walkable for my parents. The house is between Post and the Whole Foods/CVS shopping center.
Lots of charm in the neighborhood, with the brick houses.
Hoping to close by July.
I came back to give my appreciation and provide a "closure" to the thread.
Thanks for the update. That is a nice area for your parents. I am sure they will like it there. Good luck, Jay
What ever happened to the Center/Beach area then?
Grasmeres not going to win any beauty contests, but whatever works.
I believe there was also a large factory where BJ's is.
As was discussed in this thread, the Center/Beach area is insanely popular and very expensive. I think that is why they looked into other neighborhoods. Keep in mind that while Grasmere may not be as pretty as other areas, it has a lot going for it including great shopping and restaurants, a walkable neighborhood and a new train station. I believe it could grow into the next Center/Beach area in the future. The OP could be making a very good investment.
Yes, BJ's was the old Bullard Company complex but it is not really in Grasmere. I don't think it was big during WWI but grew a lot during WWII. Jay
What ever happened to the Center/Beach area then?
Grasmeres not going to win any beauty contests, but whatever works.
Normally, you'd have to wait to actually move in for locals to be unimpressed with your house and where you live. Now with the internet, they can make their disdain apparent before you even arrive. Welcome to FFC!
As was discussed in this thread, the Center/Beach area is insanely popular and very expensive. I think that is why they looked into other neighborhoods. Keep in mind that while Grasmere may not be as pretty as other areas, it has a lot going for it including great shopping and restaurants, a walkable neighborhood and a new train station. I believe it could grow into the next Center/Beach area in the future. The OP could be making a very good investment.
My brother and his girlfriend (now his wife) lived in one of the stand alone brick houses across the street from the Whole Foods & Home Depot. We were all young back then and we had a good time in the area. There is a pretty interesting history to the condos where your mom and dad will be and the house my brother and his wife lived in. They are all connected historically. The attached brick row houses (now the condos) were the housing for the factory workers and the stand alone houses were for the bosses and people who ran the factory. I can't remember what business or factory the brick houses and row houses were for though. Maybe Jay knows. I am sure once your mom and dad move in the condos the neighbors will tell you about the history of the area.
Thank you for sharing the rich history. It's amazing how much the area changes, yet the houses are still standing.
Exit 23 on 95, Fairfield Metro are all close by. The RE agent mentioned that they are building more commercial units near Fairfield Metro as well.
What ever happened to the Center/Beach area then?
Grasmeres not going to win any beauty contests, but whatever works.
I believe there was also a large factory where BJ's is.
Definitely saw a good number of places in the Center/Beach area. For our price point, we would have to do a significant amount of repairs/renovations -- which I have been ok with. However my folks wanted to spare the trouble of waiting for the repairs to be completed.
I agree that the Center/Beach neighborhoods are much more appealing, however I was not sure if we would be able to land a deal that met my parents needs (time/location).
I am in the RE business in the Boston area. If I see a good deal in the Center/Beach area down the road, I will absolutely jump on it and move my parents there.
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