Front and side views of the expanded Logan Inn in New Hope.
Frank Cretella and his Landmark Hospitality development company are moving forward with their dramatic expansion of the Logan Inn, which they purchased in 2015.
New Hope Borough Council at its monthly meeting Tuesday night will consider Cretella’s request to begin construction at 10 W. Ferry St. New Hope’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) gave the project their final nod on Sept. 12.
The Logan Inn is located on an acre of prime downtown turf, has 73 parking spaces, can seat 400 at its main restaurant, and currently boasts 16 rooms.
“Cannon Square” in New Hope.
Cretella is also undertaking the redevelopment of the adjacent “Cannon Square,” a triangular grassy area at the intersection of West Ferry and South Main streets, featuring a large pine tree used for the borough’s Christmas festivities, and an old cannon with a stack of oversized balls.
The complex overhaul would create more outdoor table seating for the Logan Inn by eliminating the northern spur of West Ferry Street as it meets South Main street, and also involve the re-positioning of the tree and cannon.
Rendering from Ralph C. Fey A.I.A Architects, PC.
Landmark Hospitality also owns and manages Hotel du Village in nearby Solebury Township, Liberty House Restaurant inside Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, NJ, Crave Caterers (an off-site catering division), Celebrate at Snug Harbor (inside Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens), Landmark Destination Weddings, and the well-known Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, N.J.
My wife and I have stayed at the Logan Inn many times. Although I do not deny the right of the Logan to expand and see the benefit of the extra rooms, being unable at times to get a reservation there, this expansion removes the intimacy of the original Inn for me. The scale for instance battles the original building for prominence and wins by regulating the original building to an annex. The new part, overpowers the scale of the street, which is the charm of New Hope. Historical looking buildings (as this one is attempting to be) if not done right, become ‘cartoons”. Many of the historical elements (vocabulary) are in-authentic and fictitious. I’m sure the efficiency of the building will be state of the art and the interior as well. But the proportions are clumsy with multiple centers, a confusing main entrance and faux materials. The balconies are superfluous
Over all? This is a cliche which many allow larger parties on Main Street but doesn’t respect it
You can thank Dee Dee Bowman president of the historic architecture commission she sold the town out again, and everyone on boro council a & mayor is bought.