Frank Cretella and his Landmark Hospitality development company are taking over New Hope’s Mansion Inn with an eye toward revitalizing the property and generating a business synergy with the neighboring Logan Inn. In the process, they will create a sprawling 60-room hospitality complex in the very heart of New Hope’s downtown district.
Proposed front view.
The Mansion Inn property at 9 South Main St. is far more extensive than the street view of its imposing Victorian structure would suggest. Stretching far to the west, it encompasses gardens, additional structures, a swimming pool and a parking lot that abuts the 73-space Logan lot.
Cretella inked a contract two weeks ago to purchase the historic but perennially challenged inn, contingent on approval of renovations by New Hope Borough Council. He and architect Ralph Fey presented their plans before the Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) on Tuesday evening, and must also get the nod from New Hope’s Zoning Hearing Board.
Side elevation.
HARB will undoubtedly focus much of their attention on Cretella and company’s plans to move a heavy iron fence in front of the inn back from the sidewalk, and add outdoor seating in its place. Proposed renovations also include a sizable addition to the structure’s right flank.
“I want to save the building, and make it a successful business,” explained Cretella. “The building is unique — beautiful and forboding. The ultimate key to that property being successful are small changes — adding seating in front, moving the fence up one level. The longer the frontage, the more time people walking past have to get comfortable with what they might get by going in.”
Aerial view of Mansion Inn property.
Proposed changes to the inn also include adding 10 rooms, bringing the total to 23. Plans call for construction of a new structure at the rear of the property to house the additional lodging space, along with a porte cochere, a garden pavilion, and a “conservatory” reception space. Cretella says the revamped restaurant at the Mansion Inn will feature an “Asian fusion concept.”
“The additional rooms help the Logan Inn as well,” Cretella observed. “We’re successful right now bringing in business during the week — you can’t survive on just the weekends. When the Logan Inn [renovation] is done next door, there will be 38 rooms, and with 23 rooms at the Mansion Inn, I’ll be competitive in attracting larger groups.”
First floor plan.
Cretella is moving forward with a dramatic expansion of the Logan Inn, which he purchased in 2015. Located at 10 W. Ferry St. — two doors down from the Mansion — the Logan sits on an acre of prime downtown turf, can seat 400 at its main restaurant, and currently boasts 16 rooms.
New rooms (left) to the rear of main building.
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, N.J., Crave Caterers in Jersey City, Celebrate at Snug Harbor (inside Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens in Staten Island), Landmark Destination Weddings in Jersey City, and the well-known Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, N.J.
Logan may have ghosts…but it’s the Mansion Inn that is cursed…a new owner every couple years goes out of business.
If anyone can turn the curse around, Landmark Hospitality can do it, I only hope they’ve learned more about New Hope’s culture. When they first took over the Logan I understand from friend’s who work there (and being a patron) they were running it like their Jersey locations. I know they’ve has success with Hotel du Village so keeping my fingers crossed. New Hope is a world unto itself and it’s uniqueness should be capitalized on, not destroyed.