Eric Rains Landscape Architecture

10/03/2026

10/01/2026

A few days out of the office—and absolutely worth it.
A sincere thank you to Forms and South for the gracious hospitality and an incredible few days of learning, conversation and hands-on experience.
There is something very different about seeing firsthand how products we specify and incorporate into our work are actually conceived, engineered and made. We had the opportunity to take a much deeper look at Landscape Forms’ extensive product lines, the thinking behind them, and the level of craftsmanship and attention that goes into bringing them to life.
From welding and powder coating to lighting, site furnishings and the landscapes where these products ultimately live, it was an education from beginning to end.
As busy as we all are, it can be difficult to justify stepping away from the office for a few days. This was a good reminder of why it matters. Spending time with the people behind the products, asking questions, seeing the process and simply having the time to learn makes us better at what we do.
Thank you again to everyone at Landscape Forms and for having us and for making the experience so worthwhile.

09/27/2026

Laying this giant crane down as a precaution in the high winds of this nor easter shows its massive scale. Nice work

09/27/2026

‘gotta love soil day!

09/23/2026

Greenwich Crossing is coming together. It has been rewarding to watch the transformation of a place that so many people experience as their first impression of Greenwich.

What started as a redevelopment of the Greenwich Train Station has grown into something much bigger—a better connection between the station, Railroad Avenue, Greenwich Avenue, The Bruce and the waterfront.
The new station is open, the former theater is gone, and views and pedestrian connections that had been blocked for decades are opening again. New storefronts, a restaurant and outdoor dining will bring more activity to Railroad Avenue, while new sidewalks, trees, plantings, lighting and public spaces are beginning to bring the whole place together.

Eric Rains Landscape Architecture has been fortunate to play a part in that transformation, working with The Ashforth Company, Beyer Blinder Belle, Redniss & Mead along with a terrific team of architects, engineers, consultants and contractors.
Our piece of the project has focused on the landscape and public realm—the spaces people actually walk through, gather in and experience every day.

Projects like this don't happen quickly. They take years of planning, design, coordination and construction involving a lot of talented people.
It is nice to finally see those efforts coming together.

There is still more to come, but Greenwich Crossing is already changing the experience of arriving in downtown Greenwich.

09/20/2026

It is always rewarding to see a project finally come out of the ground, but some projects mean a little more because you remember where they started.
Benedict Court is one of those projects for me.

I remember working with Joe Tranfo when this property was still an idea. Joe understood early that this collection of properties in downtown Greenwich represented an opportunity to do something meaningful.

Eric Rains Landscape Architecture has been involved with the site since those early days, so seeing the recent groundbreaking after years of planning, design, municipal review and approvals was particularly gratifying.

Benedict Court did not arrive at its current form overnight.

The project went through multiple iterations as the development team worked with Greenwich to find the right balance of housing, architecture, landscape, circulation, parking and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.

One of the things I think is particularly important about this project is not simply what was approved, but how the team got there.

Phil Wharton and Nimbus Properties approached the process with the philosophy that the Town should be a partner rather than an adversary.

The team listened. We evaluated comments. We solved problems. The design changed when it needed to change, and everyone kept working toward a better project.
What has stayed with me is that even after the approvals were completed, people involved with the municipal boards, committees and agencies that reviewed the project continued to speak positively about the way Nimbus handled the process.

That says something.

Approvals are important, but the relationships you have when the process is finished matter too.

When completed, Benedict Court will provide 120 apartments, including 48 residences — 40% of the building — at below-market rates. Located within walking distance of Greenwich Avenue, the train station, Town Hall, offices, restaurants, shops and other services, it puts new housing where the infrastructure and activity already exist.
Joe saw the opportunity early. Nimbus Properties, Lonicera Partners and the larger team carried the vision forward. The Town challenged and helped refine it.
And importantly, everyone stayed at the table.

Now construction is underway, with completion anticipated in 2028.
After years of drawings, meetings and conversations, it is gratifying to finally see those ideas becoming something real.

Sometimes the best projects aren't the ones that start with all the answers. They are the ones where the right people stay engaged long enough to find them together.

09/19/2026

The improvements to the Yankee Doodle Garage represent another important investment in Norwalk’s Wall Street neighborhood. As Chairman of the Norwalk Parking Authority (NPA) , I was pleased to be part of the ribbon cutting earlier this summer celebrating the completion of this renovation.
A special thank you to Mayor Barbara Smith , Senator Bob Duff and Jim Travers for their support and commitment to making these improvements possible.
Thank you as well to the Wall Street Neighborhood Association for its continued engagement with the NPA. This has been a collaborative effort from the beginning. Together, we helped lay the path to where we are today, and the success of these improvements speaks for itself.
There is still more to come—and much more to celebrate. Future improvements will continue to strengthen this important asset while providing safe, clean and reasonably priced parking for residents, businesses and visitors.
It’s good to see thoughtful investment, collaboration and steady progress making a real difference in the Wall Street neighborhood and the City of Norwalk.

07/15/2026

We're proud to be part of the team bringing the final phase of the Bruce Museum modernization project to life along Steamboat Road in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Working closely with the project team, Eric Rains Landscape Architecture helped develop a revised landscape plan that enhances the pedestrian experience, strengthens connections between downtown Greenwich, the Museum, and the waterfront, while preserving the character of the historic hillside.

The project adds new trees, expanded green space, decorative streetscape improvements, and future locations for outdoor sculpture installations—all with a focus on sustainability and thoughtful placemaking.

We are honored to contribute to a project that will benefit residents, visitors, and the cultural life of Greenwich for years to come.

07/15/2026

Construction Start August '26

A place becomes more than a building when thoughtful architecture, landscape, and community come together.

This new mixed-use residential destination is designed to create a welcoming sense of arrival, encourage connection, and provide timeless living experiences through elegant architecture, walkable spaces, and carefully crafted outdoor environments.

Every detail contributes to a community that is both functional and enduring.

Great places are not simply built—they are cultivated through vision, collaboration, and a commitment to design excellence.