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Community Corner

Historic Former Library up for Rent [Empty in Southampton]

What business would you like to see at 11 Jobs Lane, the building most recently known as the Parrish Art Museum's Carroll Petrie Center for Education?

The original home of the Rogers Memorial Library, 11 Jobs Lane, found a second life as an auxiliary building for the Parrish Art Museum after the library moved to a new facility on Coopers Farm Road in 2000.

Then this spring, in preparation for the Parrish's imminent relocation to Water Mill, the museum sold the building.  Now the new owner, Jon Sobel, plans to rent it out for a commercial use, said the real estate broker, Morley Quatroche Jr., on Friday.

“It’s best suited probably for a national retailer because it's got almost 76,000 square feet on two floors, so it's going to take a national retailer to really make it great,” Quatroche said.

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The building is zoned "village business" and capable for "dry" uses such as retail or offices, he explained. That means that "wet" uses such as a salon or food service are out.

Because of the building's historic nature, there are a number of covenants protecting the facade and windows from alteration, Quatroche said. But he expects that any tenant who moves in will conduct a major renovation of the interior, he said, noting that it is typical for commercial tenants to get break on rent when they pour their own money into the infrastructure.

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The Victorian Gothic building, designed by R.H. Robertson, was erected in 1895 and opened to the public in 1896, according to the library. An extension was added in 1915, by designed by Grosvenor Atterbury.

Quatroche said the goal is to find a long-term tenant, of at least 10 years, and he has already been speaking with national businesses that want to expand their base to the Hamptons.

The former library is situated right next to the soon-to-be-former Parrish building. Southampton Village officials are planning for the newly established Southampton Center for the Arts to take over that space, at 25 Jobs Lane.

"It will be a huge benefit to have that next to the building," Quatroche said, also pointing out that 11 Jobs Lane is across the street from the historic clock tower building where J. Mclaughlin is located.

What business would you like to see move into 11 Jobs Lane? Or do you have a different idea for the building altogether? Weigh in by leaving a comment below.

See more from the Empty in Southampton series:

  • Doscher House Could Be Razed
  • Future Unclear for Museum's White House
  • Former Southampton Hospital Thrift Shop Is Prime Real Estate
  • Fate of Former Long Island Automotive Museum?
  • No Congregation for Historic Noyac Church
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