By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Two of three buildings at a Riverside Avenue office complex might become apartments.

Nos. 251 and 253 Riverside, both with more than 5,400 square feet of office space, would be converted to four apartments each. The application with the Planning and Zoning Commission was filed by Eric Bernheim on behalf of CEG Riverside LLC.

No changes are sought for the office building at 257. Collectively, the application states, the three buildings are known as 259 Riverside. They are across the road from Sylvan Lane. A wooden sign calls the complex “The Anchorage.”

“The property currently consists of 3 office buildings,” an explanatory statement in the application states. “CEG intends to convert the two smaller office buildings into a total of 8 residential two-bedroom units (4 in each building).”

The project was reviewed last month by the Architectural Review Board, which raised questions about the proposed use of a synthetic brick material for the facades of the renovated buildings.

Under the town’s zoning regulations, two units must be deemed affordable. The applicant is seeking to locate affordable housing offsite.

The buildings will not be increased in floor space or height, the application states. Balconies overlooking the river are sought.

The plan will seek to utilize parking across Riverside Avenue because the buildings sit on just 0.675 acre.

Office space has been difficult to fill in Westport and throughout the region since the COVID pandemic changed work habits. A lot of office space in Westport has been converted to medical uses.

The P&Z meets next at 7 p.m. Sept. 11. An agenda is not yet posted.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.