Construction has begun on what will become the two-story, 37-foot-high structure known as The Root Building located at 439 South Avenue West.
Formerly home to Clyne and Murphy and several other businesses that were destroyed by a six-alarm blaze in January, the site, dormant since the buildings were razed, is beginning to take shape.
William Root, who has owned the land for the past 45 years, chose to rebuild and in June, the Westfield Planning Board approved plans for the new construction.
The Root Building, which will offer 5,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor and five luxury apartements on the second, is expected to be open by spring, said listing agent David Barbosa of David Realty Group.
"They (the apartments) will be one- and two- bedrooms, fully-updated with granite countertops, washer and dryers in each apartment, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and tiled backsplashes in the kitchen just to name a few (of the amenities)," Barbosa said. "It will also be an elevatored building."
The 5,000 square feet of retail space can be divided into sections as small as 1,000-square feet. The price per square foot is $25 annually, the "best in town," Barbosa added. The leases will be negotiable on the term. Pricing for the one- and two-bedroom apartments is not available just yet.
When plans for The Root Building were approved, Patch readers expressed concerns regarding parking, which they believe is already at a premium in Westfield. But Barbosa feels there will be "plenty of parking."
"There are 20 municipal parking spots in front of building on Westfield Avenue and more on South Avenue. There is also street parking up the street by permit if the residents of the apartments need to park their cars. The building is gorgeous and will definitely be a landmark building in Westfield. We are very excited and can't wait to see this beautiful building complete," he said.
For more information, contact David Barbosa of David Realty Group at (908) 264-8843
