Old Greenwich is a funny place. If you’ve ever tried to park near Binney Park on a Saturday morning, you know exactly what I mean. It’s a village that clings tightly to its identity, which is why the saga of the Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich CT has been such a massive deal for the local community over the last few years. For decades, the old building—the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center—was basically a drafty, aging relic of a bygone era. It was originally built in the 1930s as a recreation center for Electrolux employees. Think about that for a second. A building designed for a vacuum cleaner company’s social club became the beating heart of a town with some of the highest real estate values in the country.
It stayed that way for way too long. Honestly, the old place was falling apart. We’re talking about a structure that had seen better days back when Eisenhower was in office. But today, the conversation has shifted. With the grand opening of the new Cohen Greenwich Civic Center, the town didn't just get a fresh coat of paint. They got a $25 million, 35,000-square-foot facility that actually fits how people live in 2026.
The Long Road from Electrolux to Cohen
You can’t talk about the Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich CT without mentioning the money. Specifically, the $5 million gift from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. That’s why the name changed. Some old-school residents still call it "the civic center," but the Cohen name is plastered on the front for a reason. Without that private infusion of cash, the town would probably still be debating the merits of fixing the old roof versus tearing the whole thing down.
The demolition of the old site was a bit of a trip. Watching those 1930s bricks come down felt like the end of an era for people who grew up playing indoor soccer in a gym that smelled faintly of damp wool and floor wax. But the replacement is a different beast entirely. We are talking about a full-scale modernization.
The new building isn't just a gym. It’s a multi-purpose hub. There’s a massive gymnasium, obviously, but they also added a lot of "flexible" space. That's architect-speak for rooms that can be a yoga studio one hour and a community board meeting room the next. One of the biggest complaints about the old Eastern Greenwich Civic Center was that it was basically a cavernous void where sound went to die. The new acoustics? Night and day.
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What’s Actually Inside the New Building?
If you're heading down to Harding Road, you're going to see a lot of glass. The design is much more open than the old "bunker" style. The main floor features a full-size basketball court that can be partitioned off. This is a big win for the local youth leagues like the OGRCC (Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center). They’ve been squeezed for gym space for a decade.
But it’s not all sports.
- There are dedicated activity rooms for seniors.
- A new café space which, frankly, was desperately needed so parents aren't just hovering in hallways while their kids are at practice.
- Outdoor access that flows better into the surrounding park.
The town also prioritized sustainability. You’ll hear people talk about "LEED Silver standards." Basically, it means the building isn't a total energy hog. They used modern insulation and high-efficiency HVAC systems. If you remember the bone-chilling drafts of the old building in January, this is the biggest upgrade of all.
The Impact on Property Values and Local Life
Does a civic center really change the vibe of a neighborhood? In Old Greenwich, yeah, it does. This isn't a town with a massive commercial strip or a mall. Life revolves around the school (Old Greenwich School), the park (Binney), and the Point (Tod’s Point). The Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich CT is the fourth pillar of that lifestyle.
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When the building was closed during construction, there was a noticeable void. Local events had to be moved to churches or school basements. The annual pancake breakfasts, the model train shows, the specialized antique markets—they all lost their "home base." Having it back online means the village has its living room back.
From a real estate perspective, having a state-of-the-art community center within walking distance of the train station is a massive selling point. If you're a realtor showing a house on Highview Avenue or Sound Beach Avenue, you’re pointing at this building. It’s a signal that the town is investing in itself, rather than just letting things rot.
Why Some People Still Grumble
Look, it's Greenwich. People are going to complain. There were definitely some residents who felt the new design was a bit too "modern" for a town that loves its colonial aesthetic. There were also the usual concerns about traffic on Harding Road.
If you’ve ever driven down that street during a school pick-up or a soccer game, you know it’s a bottleneck. The town did some work on the parking lot and the entry points, but let’s be real: when there’s a big event at the civic center, the traffic is still going to be a bit of a mess. That’s just the trade-off for having a popular facility in a residential neighborhood.
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Some people also miss the grit of the old place. There’s a certain nostalgia for the slightly-beaten-up floors and the history of the Electrolux era. But nostalgia doesn't fix a leaking roof or provide ADA-compliant bathrooms. The trade-off was worth it.
Getting the Most Out of the Facility
If you’re new to the area or just haven't ventured inside yet, you should know that you don't necessarily have to be a Greenwich resident to step inside, though many programs are prioritized for locals.
The OGRCC runs a huge chunk of the programming. If you want your kid in a sports league or an art class, that’s who you call. The Department of Parks and Recreation also manages the scheduling for the bigger rooms. If you’re trying to host a non-profit event or a large-scale meeting, you have to go through the town’s booking system, which—fair warning—fills up months in advance.
One thing that often surprises people is how much of the center is actually devoted to the arts. While the gym is the loudest part of the building, the side rooms are often filled with painting classes or music lessons. It’s a true multi-generational space. You’ll see a 5-year-old in a tutu walking past an 80-year-old heading to a bridge club meeting. It’s one of the few places in town where that happens naturally.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Residents
If you want to actually use the Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich CT, don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Get a Park Pass: Even though the building is public, many of the associated programs and parking perks are tied to your Greenwich residency and your OneTouch/Park Pass. Make sure yours is current before the spring rush.
- Check the OGRCC Website: Most of the youth and adult recreational leagues are managed here. They have their own registration portals that are separate from the town’s general Parks and Rec site.
- Monitor the Town Calendar: The civic center hosts one-off events like blood drives, voting, and town hall meetings. These aren't always publicized on social media as well as they should be.
- Inquire About Rental Space Early: If you’re looking to rent a room for a private function, start the process at least six months out. The demand for the new Cohen building is significantly higher than it was for the old facility.
- Explore the Outdoor Integration: Don't forget that the center is part of a larger park system. The way the new building connects to the walking paths around Binney Park is one of its best features. Take the time to walk the full loop rather than just running from your car to the gym.
The transition from the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center to the new Cohen Greenwich Civic Center marks a turning point for Old Greenwich. It’s a move from "making do" with an old factory annex to having a purpose-built space that reflects the community's current needs. Whether you're there for a basketball game or just to grab a coffee and use the Wi-Fi in the lobby, it's a massive upgrade for the 06870 zip code.