RETURN TO HOMERealtor Thursday
A conversation with Gail Robinson, Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate, Southport, Connecticut
Black Rock is a historic colonial seaport located on Long Island Sound in Fairfield County. It is the hidden gem of Fairfield County because it is located within the city of Bridgeport. Bridgeport is perceived by many as an old, industrial city filled with factories and tenement houses. In reality, Bridgeport is post-industrial with many of its former factories converted to lofts or offices. Downtown Bridgeport has been revitalized over the past decade with restaurants, art galleries, and innovative designs for living spaces.
Black Rock Neighborhood
Black Rock is known for its coastal location with wide open public access to stunning water views and walkways along the shoreline and tidal estuary. It has a vital and active community of artists, writers, and other creative people as well as strong sense of identity. Black Rock is bounded on the south by Black Rock Harbor and Long Island Sound, on the north by the town of Fairfield, to the east by Bridgeport, and to the west by the Ash Creek tidal estuary. Black Rock has approximately 9,000 residents and has a section called St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea, which includes multi-million dollar homes with elevated water views from a hill overlooking Black Rock Harbor.
Black Rock Amenities
Black Rock has one of the finest waterfront parks in the state with a long walkway overlooking the Sound, Black Rock Harbor, and the Ash Creek tidal estuary. It is a great community for walkers with lots of sidewalks and an accessible business center. Black Rock has a Very Walkable rating of 89 out of 100 in terms of its Walk Score®. The community has two yacht clubs, a sandy beach, tennis courts, a newly renovated library with state-of-the-art electronics, a community center, a large grocery store, and a public boat launch. It also has a business center with restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, and art galleries. Finally, there is the neighborhood gathering spot at Harborview Market, where local artists display their works and residents enjoy a game of chess and an espresso in front of a roaring fire in the winter or relax on the sunny patio in the summer.
Commuter’s Delight
Black Rockers are eagerly anticipating the new train station which is currently under construction and expected to be in operation by the fall of this year. While located just over the border of Fairfield, it is called the Black Rock Train Station by residents because many can walk to it from home. Black Rock is also within easy reach of I-95 and a major bus route runs along its business corridor. Bridgeport is also home to the ferry service that runs from the city to Port Jefferson in Long Island.
What You Can Expect to Pay
You can pay anywhere between $50,000 and $2.3 million for housing depending upon size and location. Black Rock has tremendous diversity in its housing and low turnover as some homes have stayed within families for generations. The highest priced homes are located in the St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea section and are either direct waterfront or have elevated panoramic water views. A three bedroom, 1.5 bath single family home without water views costs between $300-400,000. There are three waterfront condominium complexes in Black Rock, including one with an in-ground pool. A two-bedroom condo can range from $120,000 to $350,000 depending upon condition and water views. An historic cooperative complex called Bridgeport Garden Apartments offers affordable home ownership in Black Rock in the price range of $90,000 to $150,000.
The Future
According to market statistics, it looks like Black Rock bottomed out in 2009 and has been increasing in both sales volume and prices since then. Much of this is likely due to the construction of the Black Rock Train Station, but similar trends can be found in surrounding areas. Black Rock has become a very popular area for young professionals and downsizers, who value its strong sense of community, artsy intellectual atmosphere, and coastal location.
Realtors and Technology
Black Rock is a hidden gem that requires listing agents to be proactive in marketing properties for sale. Many people would love to live in a community like Black Rock, if they knew it existed. In response to this challenge, Black Rock listing agents coordinate monthly Broker Open extravaganzas to lure agents to see their listings. They also collaborate together on print publications.
Preparing to Buy 
One of the best ways to get to know Black Rock is to visit our amazing community and talk to residents who live there. In addition, you can learn more about the community by visiting the Black Rock community blog at www.blackrockonline.org
You can also join the over 430 people who subscribe to the Black Rock e-newsletters (register on the Black Rock community blog in the upper right corner). You might also want to visit Black Rock’s Facebook Fan page which has over 850 enthusiastic fans www.facebook.com/blackrockconnecticut
Personal Experience
I’ve lived in Black Rock for the past 30 years. For ten years I commuted to Columbia University to complete my Ph.D. and commuted to Manhattan for another fifteen years after that for business. When the time came to semi-retire, I chose real estate as my profession to be close to the community I love so much. I specialize in selling Black Rock homes and am certified as an Exceptional Properties specialist, which means I have experience and knowledge regarding the sale of high end homes. For example, I sold our former Congressman Christopher Shay’s waterfront home in 2009.
Black Rock offers a relaxing coastal lifestyle and a place of great natural beauty as well as the intellectual and artistic stimulation of a sophisticated urban environment. I hope you take the time to explore this hidden gem.
About Gail Robinson Gail Robinson is a Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate in Southport, CT. She is licensed in the state of Connecticut. She placed second in Fairfield County’s poll for the Best Realtor in Fairfield County in 2010. Gail is also the President of the Ash Creek Conservation Association dedicated to protecting the Ash Creek tidal estuary. Start your Black Rock real estate search at http://gailrobinson.listingbook.com or call Gail at 203-521-0768.
Gail Robinson, GRI, e-PRO
William Raveis Real Estate
2525 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
(203) 521-0768
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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com