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RFH 2010, Colgate News

Hamilton's 'Living Room' Gets $7.7 Million Redecorating

Fri, Apr 30, 2010

The Colgate Inn is getting a sizable renovation between June and the summer of 2011.

Hamilton's 'Living Room' Gets $7.7 Million Redecorating

The 85-year-old landmark at the head of the village green is getting a $7.7 million facelift.

Colgate today announced that the Colgate Inn -- often called Hamilton's Living Room -- will receive a year-long makeover. The renovation will begin in June and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2011. A statement from the university today said the "renovation will significantly improve and update the facility while preserving the historic character of the building."

In a nutshell:

  • The total number of rooms will be reduced from 46 to 40 to allow for the creation of eight suites.
  • The Taproom will be moved to current location of the dining room and the kitchen will relocate to the Taproom's existing location. Restaurant seating will be modestly increased due to different configurations. However, the layout of the dining room next to the Green Room will allow for banquets, weddings and special functions.
  • A service area will be added to the north end of the building and a meeting room will be added, adjacent to the Parlor.
  • An off-street loading/unloading area will be created.
  • More off-street parking will be added.

Asked about why the university is undertaking a major updating of the Inn, VP for Public Relations and Communications Charlie Melichar said:

"First and foremost, there are significant deferred maintenance issues in the Inn’s infrastructure, food preparation areas and guest rooms. This renovation will take care of those issues while making some adjustments that will improve the usability and appeal of this important facility."

Syracuse-based architects Holmes King Kallquist & Associates are the architects for the project. This firm has worked for several years with the Inn's operator Ben Eberhardt and his father Bill at the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles. The next step is to name a general contractor for the project.

The university also said:

"Over the years, the Inn’s public spaces have been improved, and this renovation is aimed at addressing the building’s infrastructure, guest rooms and food preparation facilities. As a result, the Inn will be brought up to modern standards with the goal of better serving current patrons, encouraging longer stays and attracting new guests.

"Improvements to the Inn’s exterior will be focused on the corner of Madison and Payne Streets, where a new outdoor seating area will be connected to the Tap Room, which will be relocated to the space currently occupied by the dining room. Parking will be expanded and the important pathways behind the Inn property will be preserved. The kitchen facilities will be relocated and upgraded for more efficient service of the range of functions held at the Inn and all of the Inn’s guestrooms will be refinished. Overall, the first floor will offer more capacity for banquets and meetings.

"This renovation will be the most significant Hamilton Initiative project undertaken in several years. Formed by Colgate in 2000, the Hamilton Initiative is a for-profit limited liability company with a focus on real estate and economic development in downtown Hamilton. Previously, the Hamilton Initiative supported the relocation of Colgate’s bookstore to the heart of the Village, the revitalization of the Hamilton Movie Theater, and an ongoing program to upgrade the facades of village buildings, among other projects.

"The Inn renovation represents the Hamilton Initiative's and Colgate University’s ongoing interest in investing in the Village of Hamilton in a variety of ways, including through the maintenance and improvement of the properties it owns. The approved renovation plans represent a targeted investment to improve the visitor experience and encourage people to spend more time in our community. This renovation is expected to support the shared, ongoing vibrancy of Colgate and Hamilton."

The project schedule will not be finalized until a contractor is selected, but will likely include a number of mid-week shutdowns in the summer and fall of 2010 and an extended shutdown between December 2010 and February 2011.

The Inn was built in 1925, replacing the Park House hotel, which had stood on the same site for more than a century. As the project progresses, updates will be posted to the Colgate Inn website at www.colgateinn.com.

 

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