Historic Vail Mansion gets new life as boutique hotel

Real Estate Weekly, April 18, 2001

The Applied Companies, developer of the historic Vail Mansion, has selected BBG (Brennan Beer Gorman/Architects) to renovate and design an addition to the landmarked property, converting it to a four-star boutique hotel. The plan includes renovation and historic preservation of the 20,000 SF existing building and the addition of 100,000 SF of new construction. The hotel will feature 101 guestrooms, a large social ballroom, a small conference center, a restaurant with a bar, private dining facilities, a health club, and formal gardens. Design is under development, with groundbreaking scheduled for August.

Located at 110 South St. in Morristown, N.J., the Vail Mansion was built in 1918 by the first president and chairman of AT & T, Theodore Vail. The ground floor of the mansion was originally intended to serve as a museum, housing a collection of early 20th century artifacts from Morris County, but this goal was not realized. After Vail's death, the property was purchased by the town of Morristown, where it served as the city municipal building for 70 years.

"We reviewed five proposals for the property in competition and BEG's was the most viable economically and the most inspired aesthetically," said Michael Barry, principal of The Applied Companies. "Their sensitivity to the site and existing property, coupled with the firm's expertise in hotel design, made BBG the clear choice for this project."

The existing Palladian architecture is reflected in two new wings that have been designed to flank the current building. BBG's design is sophisticated and symmetrical, with large windows set in piano noble. The use of cornices, belt Coursing, and pavilions with a hipped roof are all elements reminiscent of the Palladian style. The existing building has a marble and granite facade, while the new construction will utilize three-coat stucco and cast stone facade.

The project team includes: BBG, design architects; DeWitt Tishman Architects, architect of record; Associated Engineering Consultants, structural engineers; Johnson Associates, MEP engineers; and Higgins & Quasbarth, his toric preservationists; and Mellilo & Bauer, landscape architect.