Sperry’s Restaurant/Apartment Complex Get OK from ZBA

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city Zoning Board of Appeals last week unanimously approved a SEQRA Negative Declaration as well as area variances to allow a mixed-use development proposal involving Sperry’s Restaurant and new residential units on Caroline Street to move forward. 

Sperry’s Restaurant operated in the Spa City for 91 years before closing in early 2023. It was purchased by Louis Lazzinnaro in January of 2024 with the idea of re-opening the restaurant and combining it with a new mixed-use project.  

Dave Carr of the LA Group represented the applicant in front of the ZBA last week and said both the Sperry’s name and the restaurant’s façade will be maintained. The proposed building will stand about 61 feet tall and include 40 to 45 apartments above Sperry’s. Those apartments are still in the design phase, and it is anticipated a presentation will be forthcoming in the future seeking Design Review Board approval. There will be 8 parking spaces in the back with a handicap spot. 

A five-story building was approved last year to be developed on a vacant space adjacent to Sperry’s. The plan is to tie the building housing Sperry’s and the soon-to-be developed building adjacent to it together.