Urban Living in the Heart of Bay Shore

BY ROSEMARIE KLUEPFEL

Just steps from Main Street, Eleven Maple is the newest addition to Bay Shore’s bustling downtown. The long-awaited, newly constructed, mixed-use building has 90 new rental apartments, purposely designed to support a walkable urban lifestyle.

The dramatic transformation of 11 Maple Avenue is the culmination of the combined efforts of attorney and real estate developer Lisa Pace and Larry Gargano, President of Greenview Properties. Over the past two decades, Greenview Properties, well known for building diversified apartment complexes, from beautiful garden apartments to stylish loft living, has built more than 30 residential communities on Long Island. The Pace Family has been in the business of real estate development for over sixty years, with Lisa, proud daughter of the highly respected real estate developer, attorney John Pace, and Breast Cancer activist Lorraine Pace, learning early on the lessons of patience and perseverance.

It was Lisa who originally purchased the property at 11 Maple Avenue.

An attorney, mediator, philanthropist, real estate developer and doting mother and sister, Lisa Pace is a busy gal. Recently, she put some time aside to speak with us about the Eleven Maple project, which has been a long labor of love for her.

“Bay Shore is a unique hamlet, it exemplifies the Great South Bay lifestyle. My dad always believed in Bay Shore. He worked as an attorney for the Town of Islip Community Development Agency for many years and spearheaded programs to help restore Bay Shore back to its glory days. 11 Maple Avenue was once a beautiful, prosperous hospital, Dr. King’s Hospital. Upon the hospital's closing, the building wound up in disrepair and became a dilapidated eyesore in the village. I remember standing at that site and envisioning an apartment building; one with an upscale-urban-hotel-vibe that offered luxurious amenities to its residents. A building that the community would be proud of. With Larry as a partner, we were able to achieve that vision of reviving this property, Eleven Maple, back into a beautiful location.”

Growing up, Lisa was no stranger to construction sites. At the young age of 6, Lisa was assigned the task of retrieving nails dropped by the tradesmen working on one of her father’s many building projects. Her father instilled in her the value of hard work while she observed the daily transformation from brick & mortar to the completed structure. It was her father who encouraged her to find a building project to take on.

“My dad inspired me to believe in myself. He taught me to trust my instincts and to never give up on my vision, in spite of obstacles,” Lisa remarked.

Conveniently located, the apartments are within walking distance of shops, restaurants, markets, and of course the Long Island Rail Road and the Fire Island Ferry terminal. Parking spaces for residents and guests are provided in a concealed parking area. Eleven Maple boasts numerous amenities, including a fitness center, a rooftop deck, and indoor and outdoor common areas where residents can socialize and meet their neighbors in a comfortable and inviting setting.

Being a mixed-use building, the apartments come with added perks. The Pizzeria, located on the main level, is reminiscent of an Italian cafe. Owners Cliff Weinstein and brothers Paul and Dan Saccoccio created a beautifully designed place where one can sip an espresso in the middle of the day or feast on a plate of pasta. The specialty drinks are fabulous as well. Lisa’s personal favorite is named after her, The Little Sicilian. Embracing the surrounding neighborhood was paramount. With this in mind, the building was designed with five display windows along Maple Avenue. These massive windows will be used for local artists to showcase their talents, for non-profit organizations to raise awareness and promote events, and also for local retail shops to advertise. Lisa is especially proud of these windows.

“Maple Avenue is traveled by so many, and we are happy to include the community and share the visibility with so many wonderful organizations and talents,” she stated.

“I am lucky to have had amazing partners through this long journey, namely my brothers, John Pace Jr., and Gregory J. Pace, as well as my cousin Andrew J. Pace,” commented Lisa.

“They, along with my dad, always believed in my judgment. We partnered up with Larry Gargano, who shared our vision and excitement. Larry’s creativity is a gift, and he was the right person to help achieve our vision. We have a unique working relationship where our differences in opinions always resulted in the right decision and perfect outcome for the project. He is a talented businessman, building countless apartments with great appeal. I pride myself on my attention to detail. Together, we have a great mix of talents, and through this partnership and our shared vision, we have created this jewel on the south shore of Long Island,” Lisa shared.

NY State’s population has been on the decline for many years; on Long Island, a lot of the blame has been attached to a shortage of housing options. Upstate, Long Island, and Bay Shore all have unique charm and beauty, from the mountains to the beaches, and of course the city. With all that Bay Shore’s Main Street has to offer, with its proximity to Fire Island and NYC transit, Eleven Maple is a great example of how to maximize that potential and give people a reason to stay. Today, Lisa is reminded of those early days with her father. Watching Gianna, her 13 year old daughter, enjoy partaking in the many design selections of Eleven Maple, Lisa remarked, “I hope I inspire her to always believe in her vision and to believe in herself.”