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GSA announces soft-close date for the public auction of the Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Fairfield, Conn.

BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has set the soft-close date for the auction of the Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Fairfield, Connecticut for Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 12 p.m. CT.

GSA is offering the Penfield Reef Lighthouse for sale by public auction. This is one of a record number of lighthouses being offered in 2023 to government agencies, nonprofits, and the public.

The Penfield Reef Lighthouse is an offshore lighthouse in Long Island Sound that marks a submerged reef which extends southeast from Fairfield Beach. It is approximately one mile from the entrance of Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is accessible by boat only.

Property Details:

  • The property includes a 51-foot octagonal lighthouse and a two-story, 1,568 square foot keepers dwelling. 
  • The Second Empire Style lighthouse was built in 1874. 
  • In 2015, the property was weatherized, and the exterior was restored to reflect its 19th century appearance. 
  • A full list of repairs can be found in the Invitation for Bids on the GSA Auction Site.
  • The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (reference #89001473 [PDF]). 
  • The property will remain an active aid to navigation.

Closing Rules:

This auction will end in one of these ways:

  • At the auction close time if no bids (proxy or flat) are placed within the inactivity period – defined as the previous 24 hours – or the auction is not subject to an inactivity period.
  • After the inactivity period has passed without any bids (proxy or flat) being placed.

There is still time for those interested in bidding to register and submit bids. To do so:

  • Interested bidders are required to register in advance and submit a $10,000 registration deposit. 
  • Bid increments are $5,000. 
  • Those interested in bidding are strongly urged to read the Invitation for Bids [PDF] and  additional information.  

For additional details and inquiries/questions regarding a property inspection:

Contact: 
Sonia Allon-Singh
Phone: 617-306-8615
Fax: 617-565-5720
Sonia.Allon-Singh@gsa.gov 

The marketing and sales effort is being handled by GSA’s New England Region Office of Real Property Disposition. The division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

GSA’s New England Region provides centralized procurement for the federal government by managing its real estate portfolio, products and services throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

About GSA: 
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $87 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA. 

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Last updated: Aug 21, 2023
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