By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — One of the town’s most visible historic structures appears poised for reuse as office space.

Way back when, 2 Post Road West (or West State Street if you’ve been around a while) was home to the Fairfield Furniture Company.

The stately, three-story brick building at the foot of the Post Road bridge over the Saugatuck River was for years painted white.

Its smaller neighbor, 8 Post Road West (back in the day home to the watering hole Ye Olde Bridge Grille), another three-story brick structure, also is included in a plan by insurance giant AIG for reuse as office space.

In the 1990s, the structures were restored, and the larger building became a high-end hotel, National Hall. Over time, that didn’t work out.

Now, according to a filing with the Planning and Zoning Department, the two historic brick structures will be occupied for office space by AIG.

AIG currently has local space at Nyala Farms off Greens Farms Road.

The Planning and Zoning Commission was asked to waive Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations regarding flooding plans in regards to historic structures.

The commission signed off on the plan with little discussion.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.