David Sepulveda Photo
The Corsair complex.
The sprawling new luxury housing complex at State and Mechanic will get a tiny bit bigger — now that developers won permission to add three new apartments.
Representatives for the complex, Corsair Apartments at 1040 – 1070 State St., asked the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday night for a variance to allow three extra residential apartments, instead of planning for 4,000 square foot retail space. Commissioners unanimously approved the variance.
Lawyer Jim Segaloff said the complex’s owners had originally sought out a restaurant for the space, but could not find one that fit. So they figured: Why not just add more apartments?
Aliyya Swaby Photo.
Montelli (center) at Tuesday night’s hearing.
“DISTRICT,” an upcoming technology incubator just down the street at 470 State St., has recruited local restaurants that may otherwise have sought to lease from Corsair, said developer Andy Montelli. “They’re building a large amount of retail.”
The approval pushes the number of proposed Corsair apartments up to 238 from 235. “There’s no downside whatsoever,” Segaloff said. The additional housing “will continue to improve the neighborhood.”
While I'm disappointed that a restaurant will not be going into this space, there is no lack of restaurants on Upper State Street.
On the other hand, I doubt that The District will draw many customers from Upper State. While they are not that far apart, the I-91 overpass and exit ramp may prove a real psychological barrier.