Description

This is a true gem - nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, with views of the Housatonic River nearby, and surrounded by densely-populated residential neighborhoods. This area in beautiful Berkshire County is economically stable with tourist attractions and a strong employment base.

Population and Other Statistics:

                               Pittsfield      Berkshire County

Population              42,168         131,219
Density                  1,035.3          140.9
# Households         19,325          55,200

This spot is centrally located and close to all the main highways in the Pittsfield area. U.S. Route 7/Route 20 corridor is very busy route just a few blocks west, and is utilized by about 1,100 vehicles per hour, between 21,900 and 23,900 on a weekday, and up to 21,400 on a Saturday. Elm Street is a major thoroughfare running through the heart of Pittsfield, and is zoned General Business, offering a diverse mix of commercial and dining options.

Pittsfield has really been nurturing their tourism industry in recent years, and offers many attractions close to this site on Elm Street. Berkshire Museum is an eighth of a mile west on South Street, and features a unique mix of exhibits and galleries from all over the world. They also have an aquarium, and special exhibits and events on a regular basis, such as movie showings, “Aquarium Adventures” workshops for children, lectures, and art tours. A couple miles south is Herman Melville’s Arrowhead, built in 1783 and home to the author for 13 years, where he wrote classic novel Moby Dick. The property stayed with the family until 1927, and now the house is open for hourly tours Memorial Day through Columbus Day. The museum has featured a variety of interesting exhibits not limited to Melville, including Berkshire local history and “Following the Thread: America’s Jewish Immigrants and the Birth of the Garment Industry.”

Perhaps the biggest attraction of the area, and the rest of Berkshire County, is its natural beauty. The 264-acre Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is about a mile south off Holmes Road and offers three miles of walking trails through the wetlands, forest, meadows, and along the Housatonic River. The sanctuary is very popular for bird-watchers and nature lovers. Canoe Meadows is just one of Pittsfield’s destinations dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of its natural resources.

Deming Park is just a couple blocks east and offers athletic fields, playgrounds, and a place to relax. In the summer, the park coordinates supervised activities for children such as games, arts and crafts, and sports. The park recently underwent a reconstruction project worth over $100,000.

There is a good selection of major employers in Pittsfield, some very close to this opportunity on Elm Street. For example, the second largest employer in the city is Berkshire Medical Center, within walking distance just a mile away on North Street. The facility, employing approximately 1,800 people, was recently ranked in Becker’s Hospital Review/Becker’s ASC Review’s “Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare.” General Electric has had a strong presence in Pittsfield since the 1970’s, and still has a workforce of about 1,900 since the company was sold to Marin Marietta in 1993. General Dynamics is also a contributor to the job market, with approximately 1,500 employees. The company is just couple miles northeast and was recently contracted to build U.S. Navy combat ships, creating even more jobs and economic activity in the area.

Property Highlights and Features:

• Two-story building with retail space, upstairs apartment, and full basement
• 3,362 square feet
• Zoned General Business
• 56 feet of frontage along busy Elm Street, with a variety of retail and commercial offerings in the immediate area, as well as sufficient residential population
• Views of the Housatonic River
• Three commercial units on first floor
• One unit, 1,136 square feet, with service counter
• Smaller 250 square foot space, suitable for variety of commercial uses
• Mid-sized, 500+ square foot retail space also in building
• One five bedroom, 1,467 square foot apartment upstairs
• Forced hot air and electric heat
• All units separately metered
• Close to tourist attractions and major employers

Pittsfield has been enjoying a sort of renaissance in recent years, with much redevelopment taking place in sections that were previously neglected and in disarray. It is the city’s goal to become “the SoHo of the Berkshires” – a center for culture, arts, and tourism. Some recent advancements toward this goal include:

• In 2011 the Massachusetts Cultural Council granted The Berkshire Umbrella Festival, an annual event held in Pittsfield, funds to assist the community in boosting attendance and highlighting the city’s attractions to continue bringing new visitors into the area.



• A city organization, Cultural Pittsfield, was awarded a $35,000 grant to support, market, and foster new cultural initiatives, again with the ultimate goal of attracting new visitors to the area and promote Pittsfield as a entertaining destination.



• On July 13, 2011, Pittsfield was approved by City Council to be the first endorsed “Cultural District” in the state of Massachusetts. The Cultural District Initiative will promote tourism, economic development, and job creation and designate sections of the city to pedestrians and art and culture.

This is the chance of a lifetime to operate in a flourishing community where businesses are promoted and traffic is flowing. Don’t wait too long – this opportunity won’t last!