Redniss & Mead assisted in the conversion of an aging retail plaza into The Clubhouse, a vibrant golf simulator and dining venue that has quickly become a popular destination in Westport. Developed by Emily and Tim Zobl, the project turned a tired commercial site into a community hub, while also securing future approvals for residential units in the rear of the property.
Our role focused on the planning and zoning aspects of the development. The property is split-zoned, with commercial frontage along the Post Road and a large residentially zoned rear portion. Working with the town’s Inclusionary Housing Zone (IHZ) overlay, we helped secure zoning text amendments and site approvals that allowed the unique entertainment use to move forward. As part of the approval process, the residentially zoned portion of the site was entitled for new housing—including an affordable component—that can be built in a later phase.
The design team included Frederick William Hoag (Architect), Land Tech, and Jim Randel, Esq. (Attorney), all longtime R&M collaborators.
The Clubhouse itself repurposed an existing multi-tenant building, preserving compatible retail space while introducing a modern recreational use that met both market demand and community interest.
As with many projects in Westport, community input was an important part of the process. Our team worked proactively with neighbors to address concerns about traffic, noise, and neighborhood impacts, ensuring the project could gain approvals. The Clubhouse opened in 2025 and has already established itself as a successful example of adaptive reuse and creative zoning, breathing new life into a dated retail property while laying the groundwork for future housing.
