By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — A small office building at 12 Avery Place will gain a two-bedroom apartment at the top of the structure if a proposed remodeling plan wins final town approval.

A joint meeting of the Architectural Review Board and Historic District Commission on Tuesday signed off on the plan, but members asked the architect to consider a few changes.

The building, which now houses the Avery Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, “is a two-story, Federal-style structure” originally constructed as a residence in 1823, according to the application. A salt box addition was added after 1940.

It was used as a residence until the mid-1950s, but “by the mid-1960s the entire building was converted to office use and remains that way today,” the application states.

Among the changes to the proposed renovations suggested by members of the two boards include a modification in the roof line at the rear and enclosing an outdoor stairway to the second floor.

The plan already called for adding a small “Romeo and Juliet” balcony on the top floor that would be accessible from the apartment, and additional railings that echo other architectural details of the building. 

The remodeling project would include elevator access to the apartment, and would be completed in the clapboard style of the existing structure, architect Philip Cerrone reassured the boards.

ARB member Manuel Castedo said an outdoor staircase would deteriorate faster with exposure to rain, ice and snow, and suggested  the staircase be enclosed. 

Member Vesna Herman agreed, but said that an enclosed staircase should have a design that does not overwhelm the building. 

When ARB Chairman Ward French concluded the  review of the plan, saying, “I support the project completely with the caveat that the staircase be enclosed,” the  plan was approved unanimously.

Gretchen Webster is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Westport Journal. Learn more about us here.