GSA announces soft-close date for the public auction of the Stratford Shoal Lighthouse in Stratford, Connecticut

August 22, 2023

BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has set the soft-close date for the auction of the Stratford Shoal Lighthouse in Stratford, Connecticut, for August 30, 2023, at 2 p.m. CT.

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

The Stratford Shoal Middle Ground Light Station sits on a submerged reef, midway between the New York and Connecticut coasts in the middle of Long Island Sound. The property is approximately 5 nautical miles from Old Field Point Light in New York; 5.5 nautical miles from Stamford, Connecticut; and 5.28 nautical miles from Stratford Point, Connecticut. It is accessible by boat only.  

Property Details:

• The lighthouse’s foundation stands 19 feet tall and has a diameter of 55 feet at its base. 
• The tower rises three stories high and is attached to the south side of the 28-foot-square, two-story dwelling. 
• The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (reference #89001477 [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 $2,000 registration deposit. 
• Bid increments are $1,000. 
• Those interested in bidding are strongly urged to read the Information for Bidders [PDF] and additional information. 

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

Contact: 
Giselle E. Rubiera
Phone: 617-566-5700
Fax: 617-565-5720
Giselle.Rubiera@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.