From Woolworth’s to affordable housing—the ribbon will be cut at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, for 19 affordable residential units in a former department store in downtown Riverhead on Thursday, January 29. The first tenants, chosen through a lottery and subject to income restriction requirements, will move in on February 1.
One of the most visible properties on Main Street, the building was mostly vacant for about 15 years. Michael Butler of Sag Harbor bought and developed the building, renovating it from a state of disrepair, yet staying within the original footprint and restoring some original features, like an Art Deco lobby.
The ground floor is home to a new Maximus Health and Fitness Center and Goldberg’s Bagels, with the Riverhead Flower Shop soon to move in. Above, there are three types of units whose rents are based on income levels verified through the Long Island Housing Partnership. Rents start at $895 for studios, $1,133 for one-bedroom units, and $1,528 for two-bedroom apartments.
There are still nine apartments available that will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Prospective tenants can visit the website www.woolworthapartments.com for more information.