Restaurant building in Greenwich sells - Westfair Communications

Fairfield-based Ares Real Estate LLC recently co-brokered a deal along with Greenwich Commercial Property LLC for the sale of 33 Lewis St. in Greenwich, a one-time speakeasy.

Fairfield-based Anthis Corp. was the buyer of the landmark, multistory building described as “just 150 feet from the corner of Greenwich Avenue.”

“This is one of the largest transactions we have handled to date,” said Sara Weidel, agent at Ares Real Estate. “We worked hard, along with Greenwich Commercial Property LLC, who represented the seller, to ensure a negotiating process that not only produced a satisfactory outcome but also led to a respectful passing of the title between the former owner and the new owner Anthis Corp.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Anthis Corp., according to a statement, cited favorably the building”™s “location, history and suitability as a future restaurant hot spot.”

The site has already hosted several restaurants, including recently Toscana Greenwich. The new owners have experience in the Connecticut restaurant industry. The statement said their belief is “the 7,500-square-foot space remains ideally suited and located for a restaurant catering to an upscale clientele in the heart of Greenwich.”

“One of the unique aspects of this deal for us is the historical uses of the building,” said Weidel. “In the 1920s it was a speakeasy and an oral interview called ”˜Growing up on Lewis Street in the 1920”™s”™ discusses the building.”

Ares Real Estate”™s continued role with the building is going to be redeveloping its use, according to Weidel. Anthis Corp. hopes to lease the bottom two floors as a restaurant while the second and third floors will be offices or apartments.

“Any business can be considered, however, we believe it is best suited for a restaurant,” Weidel said. “Finding a passionate restaurateur interested in creating and opening a destination that speaks to everyone”™s palate is the goal.”