Month after sale, plans afoot to turn Darien Playhouse into retail/residential space

A month after it was sold, the Darien Playhouse is facing closure as the developer who bought it considers redeveloping the site as a retail and apartment complex.

Jon Vaccaro, who in January bought the property at 1077 Boston Post Road in Darien for $11.3 million under the name Darien Place LLC, has filed plans outlining those changes with the town”™s Planning & Zoning Commission and Architectural Review Board.

Under the plan, the property would be repurposed as retail space on the first floor and four apartments on the second floor. The Playhouse”™s marquee would remain in place.

Built in 1927, a portion of the building already includes such retailers as Caffe Nero, Verizon and Posh Spa & Nail.

The cinema also continues to show movies.