3 West Street, Litchfield, CT, 06759

Own a signature part of Litchfield CT historic downtown commercial district. This historic 2/3 story building, located at the corner of West and South Street, includes twelve tenants, many of whom are long-term tenants. The property has been well maintained by the same owner over many years. Over 12,900 square feet of rentable space on the 1st, 2nd, and basement floors and the potential to expand the 3rd floor into other space. At one time the 3rd floor was a usable theater space. Fabulous exposure in Litchfields thriving downtown and ample street parking and sidewalks. The facility features a brick exterior with a full basement supported by stone and concrete foundation walls. It has a flat or slightly pitched roof with a rubber membrane finish. The windows range from large storefront panes to multi-pane storefront units and double-hung windows, which include both older wooden models and newer thermopane versions. Recently, the main level's storefront windows were replaced. Electrical service is at least 400 amps, multi-phase, and multi-wire, with individual meters for each tenant. The first floor is heated by propane-fired furnaces that provide hot water heat, while most other units use electric baseboard heating. Radiant floor heating is installed in parts of both the main and lower levels. Additionally, some areas have recently been equipped with new mini-split systems installed within the past year. Property History Partial history of the current At The Corner building: Following the devastating fire of 1886, which destroyed just about everything on the street, the town stopped granting permits for wooden commercial buildings in town. The "Phelps Block" was thus built of brick in 1887 by local businessman Eugene Phelps on the site of the former Catlin's Tavern. (The Hunt Block next door was built in 1890.) The three-story Phelps building had stores on the first floor, offices on the second floor and the "Phelps Opera House" on the third floor. It had seating for 600 (!!), gas and electric lighting and a stage measuring 24' wide by 15' high and 24' deep. (Note the old roofline in the first picture.) It also was home to the Litchfield Enquirer for a time. The original "Wessells & Gates" druggists opened downstairs in 1888 and "Crutch's Pharmacy," owned by Aaron Crutch, took over in 1899. In 1919, Crutch took on William Marley as partner and business became known as "Crutch & Marley." The third floor of the building, including the paper stock & presses of the Litchfield Enquirer, was completely gutted during a fire in 1928. In 1942, one of Crutch's relations, Archie MacDonald established "Crutch & MacDonald." Robert Doyle bought the business in 1961 and it was eventually closed in 1994.

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Listing courtesy of Timothy Drakeley, Drakeley Real Estate, Inc. Email: tim@drakeley.com