How will a new boutique hotel fit into Bellefonte without ‘sticking out like a sore thumb’?
Set to close on the Bellefonte waterfront property next week, hotel developers say they want to “bring some new faces” to Centre County while blending modern and Victorian design to honor the borough’s history.
Led by Tom Songer II and Mark Morath, Bellefonte Waterfront Associates entered into an agreement with the borough and the Bellefonte Industrial Development Authority to purchase four acres along Water Street in 2018. The former home of the Bush House, a hotel that burned down in 2006, the land between High and Lamb streets will be home to a planned 80-room boutique hotel and parking garage.
While some residents have voiced concerns about how the hotel will fit in with Bellefonte’s character, developers say the architecture will complement “historic Bellefonte.”
Compatibility with historic district
From the project’s inception, developers have worked with the borough to develop design plans with the hope of bringing something new to the area while still fitting in with Bellefonte’s older structures.
Established in the 1970s, the Bellefonte Historic District includes the borough’s commercial core and along the waterfront, said Shannon Wright, Historic Architectural Review Board administrator. HARB members are responsible for making recommendations to borough council on projects involving the building, reconstruction, demolishing or razing any buildings located within the Historic District.
“Most people equate the board’s review, naturally, with historic architecture; however, a huge component is making sure new construction projects be additions to existing structures or new infill projects ... are compatible with the district as a whole,” Wright said. “A common misconception is that the board requires new buildings be built to look old, but in fact the opposite is true.”
Preservation standards, Wright said, encourage construction to be just that — new.
“What we do encourage is using traditional materials and forms to inspire and guide the new construction, while incorporating modern techniques and materials in a way that doesn’t take away from the existing architecture,” she said. “The waterfront project is such an important project to Bellefonte for so many reasons, and the HARB board is working with the developers to make the design be the best it can be.”
In October, Songer and Morath received conceptual approval of their plans. Wright said the board provided the developers with “a number of recommendations,” but overall, they approved of the project.
What will the hotel look like?
The hotel will have five floors with windows and balconies overlooking downtown. Songer said the interior will be furnished with modern-day amenities and decorated with historic pictures of Bellefonte.
The main entrance will be located on Dunlap Street and will have a parking area with a covered portico. The first floor of the hotel will house a lobby and restaurant. The restaurant will face the waterfront with outdoor seating. A pedestrian entrance will also be accessible from High Street.
“We will work with local historians, artists and community members to get their input on how we can educate people on the history of Bellefonte and Centre County,” the developers wrote in a statement. “We want the development of the Bellefonte Waterfront to be viewed as a community effort which will encourage other entrepreneurs to continue the redevelopment of Bellefonte going forward.”
Leeshaun Musick has lived in Bellefonte for 29 years. Initially, Musick was unsure how the project would fit in with the rest of the town, but after reviewing building plans, she said they “breathed some excitement” into her spirit.
“The waterfront area is such a huge contributing spot to this town,” Musick wrote in an email. “ It would have been nice to see many more Victorian elements on the buildings planned, but (it’s) exciting none the less.”
HARB will continue to work with the developers to draft detailed architectural plans that incorporate historic elements, traditional and modern materials. Studying the Crider Exchange and Brockerhoff buildings, Wright said the most important element of review is to make sure the development fits in with the rest of Bellefonte while distinguishing itself “without sticking out like a sore thumb.”
Along with the boutique hotel, the development includes a parking garage, condos and space for retail stores and offices. Once complete, Songer said the development will create space to house concerts, weddings and business meetings.
“Once we get this going, there will be a lot of new faces in Bellefonte Borough,” Songer said. “We think it’ll help the whole downtown business community.”
Borough Manager Ralph Stewart said the project will highlight Bellefonte’s existing attractions.
“We are truly excited about seeing the plans come to life,” Stewart said. “Additionally, we think this project will create interest in other properties prime for redevelopment such as the former Bellefonte Academy property and the National Guard Armory property.”
Developers are set to close on the property next week, and depending on weather, construction could begin as early as spring 2020.
