Harpers Ferry Hotel To Be Replaced

Submitted by In wonder at: April 3, 2011
Well, harpers ferry, congratulations. You now have a pile of rubble sitting at the apex of an otherwise charming town. I have no idea who swan is, and couldn't care less if they go bust on this deal, but you guys have cut off your nose to spite your face. "the almighty dollar" and greedy "big business?". Please spare me the ideological drivel and get real. Whether it's a business or tax layers who will save this gorgeous site, it will take money and plenty off it. I see three choices for the town: watch the hotel get slowly reclaimed by nature and hope some rich person comes in with more money than sense, reclaim the site yourself declaring the area as blight - then raise everyones taxes to pay for renovations if you don't trust the safety reports, or work with the investor to negotiate an acceptable deal. If you can't stand to see a company make a profit, then do this: pass a law that all restaurants, shops, and services must lose money or at best break even. That'll show 'em!

Submitted by edele at: December 29, 2010
The Hilltop House project has been put on indefinite hold by the developer SWaN Investors. Fredrick Schaufeld, managing director SWaN Hilltop said "From the beginning, we viewed the opportunity to redevelop the Hilltop Hotel as one that should result in a double bottom line’ benefitting not just ourselves but the community at large. We expected assistance in dealings with the county, state and federal governments as well as lenders and equity partners. We did not expect a local political firestorm that would result in ethical and criminal accusations against multiple parties whom we have grown to respect. In light of this and the marginal economics of the project, we are going to pass on this one for now." Mike Miller, project manager for SWaN Hilltop said "There's been a lot of irresponsible things that have been said and written. We're not going to engage those individuals looking for a fight. There has been insufficient progress, and the environment got polluted by a vocal minority." Matt Ward, negotiator between SWaN and the town resigned and said "It appears that a small group in Harpers Ferry are on the verge of killing one of the most important heritage tourism and economic development projects that the Town and the region has ever seen. I've had to sit on my hands because this group has blocked any progress on the hotel. The project is worth fighting for, and I'll go down with the ship, but not with my hands tied."

Submitted by mary at: August 14, 2010
The Hilltop was a favorite of ours for several years. We stayed there many, many times. We just heard the news of its demise. We will be in Harper's Ferry in September and would have loved to dine in the old hotel. I hope the new structure keeps with the historic nature of the old one, at least in appearance. She will be missed.

Submitted by DA at: June 28, 2010
I occasionally come to explore Harpers Ferry and just yesterday discovered the Hilltop House Hotel. I was sorrowed to see such an exquisite building that looked as though it had been scheduled for demolition, but at the same time enthralled with the idea of getting to see the inside, just as it is, or was. I went online and found this forum only to realize that it apparently IS scheduled for demolition...can't say that I am pleased to hear this. I would love the opportunity to experience such a place either by tour (such as a proper museum) or by staying there as a lodging. I certainly am not interested in coming back to stay there in some newly built, bogus hotel that has occupied its location; I can do that anywhere and much more conveniently. With today's technology, I can't imagine that the original building cannot be made safe and restored; only that the price may be somewhat prohibitive. It is a shame that at every turn today we see all forward movement being led by the mighty dollar, combined with such an apathetic willingness to accept this fact and a lack of any real insight or genuine resourcefulness. Like everywhere, the future is led by the dullards and their veiled quest for mammon. WHY IS THIS PLACE NOT ON A LIST OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT ESTABLISHMENTS, AND AS SUCH PROTECTED FROM DEMOLITION CAPITALISTIC DEVELOPENT? ....and also eligible for funding from taxes that WE ALL pay?

Submitted by Kat at: April 18, 2010
Well it has indeed started to collapse. I'm not surprised after what I seen the last time we stayed there. http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/533510.html?nav=5006

Submitted by Kat at: April 18, 2010
We last stayed at the Hilltop House in 06 or 07 I cant remember which but the place was a dump and looked like it was ready to fall down. The doors were so out of square it was pitiful. The hallways sagged and slanted badly. Parts of it were rather scary structually. We love Harpers Ferry and hope a new hotel can be put on this hill that has such a great view and so much history.

Submitted by old friend at: April 12, 2010
If it can't be made safe the best thing is to replace it with an establishment that is well built and of proper design with services and a staff that will complement an already beautiful community!

Submitted by Ken at: March 23, 2010
Don't tear down the hilltop house! If you turn it into some modern, business-like hotel, it'll lose 99% of it's draw. NOBODY who's been there will ever return to see a modern facility. if I wanted to see a modern hotel I'll drive two blocks from my house. I'm not driving 1.5 hours to see a modern building. I want the original, the historic. That's what draws tourists; history and authenticity. Tear it down and you'll just have another hotel. It'll no longer be a tourist attraction.

Submitted by wvlover at: January 19, 2010
Actually, you can have it both ways, jsishome and we did at one point. The size of the hotel prior to closing was fine. The size of the proposed operation is more than twice as big, including the several armory houses that are interspersed in the surounding residential neighborhood that are included in the current footprint. This isn't a plan for a hotel as much as it is designs for an over-sized, theme-driven conference center and yes, that figures to make a big difference to the nature of this town. Your argument, jsishome, about control and tourism falls flat here. Nowhere has it been indicated that this is just a "few" people in town who want control nor have I heard anyone crying about lack of tourism opportunities in the County. It's really the opposite. People who hold your position seem to be the ones always crying about needing to expand the tourism slush fund at the expense of the integrity of just about anyone and anything that has any integrity left to spare. As for control, no one wants control; that's your word. People just want to find the best way possible for everyone involved to move forward. Just a guess, you're someone who rails and hollers about big government and taxes but is fine with big business steamrolling over anyone in their paths, right? This is America, equal opportunity, rights without responsiblities, pulling up bootstraps, don't tread on me and all of that. Well, we don't intend for Harpers Ferry to be the flattened and violated vicitm in this situation. This town is a treasure that needs to be treated as such. And this driving notion will neither be relinquished nor forgotten during the process, which we expect the town and the investors to uphold. And because tolerant dialogue is always smarter than extremist word-throwing, let me provide you with another perspective: why should the town settle for relying on one giant basket in which to put all of its proverbial eggs? The town's business/tourism plan should encompass more than one option for everyone's long-term benefits. Keep in mind, the hotel has been closed for over two years now and the sky hasn't fallen yet. However, some in this situation hold the mistaken idea that one tree makes a forest and they continue to try to employ fear tactics about the hotel and money and the financial future of this town in order to cow people into unquestioning compliance. If the members of the town of Harpers Ferry (as well as the adjoining town of Bolivar) standing up and together for process, reason and compromise on this project defines a fight to you, then a fight is what it is and what it will continue to be. For the many of us constructively involved in this thing, we're simply advocating for what's right for everyone involved.

Submitted by jsishome at: January 12, 2010
The fight against renovating this project is one more indication of a desire of a few to control all. While those opposed to the project tout that it's too big, or not right for the town are the first to cry that the town and the entire county needs to be sustained through tourism. Folks, you can't have it both ways. If you want tourism, the hotel fits right in.Get over the fact that you can see it from your window or you don't want to have so many people here. That is what tourism is all about.

Submitted by wvlover at: January 11, 2010
The hotel is a part of the town, not the other way around. Also, there's a process for getting approval for any and all of the developer's plans that needs to be followed. Nothing's an assumed done deal. The people who have lived in this town because it's been a good mix of quiet living, historic wealth and manageable tourism will continue to demand a realistic vision for the Hilltop House. To promote anything other than this is dangerous and irresponsible. The majority of people who actually live in the town proper are strong in the committment and determination to ensure that Harpers Ferry does not become a Hilltop House theme park.

Submitted by mahmo at: January 8, 2010
The hotel renovation plans in terms of a large scale type of resort/hotel is just what Harper's Ferry needs. It will help with the local economy and enhance tourism--what more do ya'll want? As for the developer--go big, aim high and don't listen to the folks who are content with simple hum-drum! There is a lot of potential for the location and so I say make most of it.

Submitted by concerned at: December 18, 2009
Any new development will need to fit into the town. The town cannot become a amusement for the Hotel

Submitted by Concerned at: December 18, 2009
There are several residents that are concerned about the size and mass of the proposed new development and parking structures. I think the Park service needs to chime in on the current plans.

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Submitted by b at: September 14, 2009
beautiful site

Submitted by Roberto at: June 17, 2009
This building can be rehabilitated. The fundamental problem is that the developer paid too much for the building in the first place.

Submitted by Margaret Foster at: June 3, 2009
I found no preservation groups who objected to this demolition. I spoke to two preservation groups, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Mid-Atlantic Office, and both concede that the hotel is structurally unsound, as NPS historian Frye notes. Both groups are pleased that renowned restoration architect Mary Oehrlein is overseeing the reconstruction of the Hilltop House.

Submitted by Jerry A. McCoy at: June 3, 2009
This article is woefully lacking, presenting only the developer's side of the story and the opinion of a NPS "chief historian" (is Mr. Frye a restoration architect too?). Where are the opposing voices of local/state historic preservationists on this issue?

Submitted by TaxiManSteve at: May 20, 2009
Theyforgot to mention mold. Don't they realize, after Katrina, mold is the best excuse?