Many of Westport’s condominium complexes, those that offer a pool plus other community amenities, were built in the 1980s:
Strathmore, near the Norwalk line, was built in 1980. Its 64 units consist of one or two bedrooms in a townhome, two-story style.
Harvest Commons, built 1980-1983 has 80 units, a mix of ranch-style and two-story townhomes. A club house and gardening area are offered in addition to the pool in this gated community.
Whitney Glen, an aged restricted community (62+), has 62 units which were built between 1982 and 1986.
Construction on Lansdowne, located in Green’s Farms neighborhood, began in 1983. The 90 Nantucket-style homes are set amongst sweeping vistas of lawns and plantings.
Regents Park, also in Green’s Farms, was built in 1985. 81 spacious townhomes offer 2 or 3 bedrooms and two-car garages.
Also built in 1985, the smaller, Edgewater Commons, has just 25 units. With high ceilings, skylights and private patios, these homes are befitting the location near Long Island Sound.
The next complex built in town with a community pool was Terra Nova, in 2004. 54 spacious townhomes with features like finished basements make the transition from single-family living easier for many.
Maintenance-free, single-family style living has an appeal to those accustomed to single-family homes but no longer interested in the upkeep – snow removal, lawn care and the like. With land unavailable to build large scale complexes, builders began building smaller developments, like Daybreak Commons, to meet this niche. Consisting of five stand-alone townhouses and 4 duplex units, Daybreak Commons defined “right-sizing” for Westporters, aged 55 or older, who were ready to downsize, not down-grade, their lifestyle. This development sold out by mid-2021 with a median price per square foot of $448.21.
Since that time we have seen demand for the units in many of the complexes mentioned above surge. Average sales price per square foot is up, and rising:
Naturally, median sales prices follow a similar trajectory.
It should be noted that the bond in condo communities can be quite strong, leading to many off-market sales. For example, the MLS data shows only three sales in Terra Nova of Westport during the last ten years, however, town property transfer records indicate there have been 19 sales alone during the period of January 2021 – May of 2024. And while the MLS data shows little price change at Harvest Commons over the past ten years, there were four off-market sales in that complex in 2023 alone. Above or below market? Give us a call to discuss the particulars.
Appreciating Westport’s waterfront locale and the appeal of its charming downtown, Bankside House — the first luxury waterfront offering of condominiums, was developed along the Saugatuck River. Sales of its single-floor homes, each with private outdoor living spaces, commenced in the fall of 2023. Non-penthouse units sold at an average price per square foot of $1,211, while two penthouse units garnered $1,654/sq ft.
With stunning, unparalleled views from the private 624 sq ft roof top terrace (not included in square footage calculations), it is no wonder that the penthouse homes command a premium. Only two are available today, at an average asking price of $1,703/sq ft.
The Mill Westport, also situated along the Saugatuck river, has commanded an average selling price of $1,108 /sq ft for the 11 units sold thus far in 2024 (mostly off-market). Just three units are presently listed for sale on the MLS, with an average asking price of $1,452/sq ft.
The bottom line? People love Westport and all its fabulous amenities, including its beaches and waterfront recreation facility, Longshore Club Park. Moving from a single family home to a condominium is no longer just down-sizing, it is right sizing in style.
