Developer Robert A McAlpine and Rockwell Group have restored a series of historic structures, The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls, that were originally used to manufacture felt and fur hats 200 hundred years ago in the now popular Hudson River Valley city of Beacon, NY.
The design concept for these historically significant 19th and early 20th century industrial buildings of the former mill complex have been refashioned into an environmentally-conscious destination restaurant, hotel, event space, and spa overlooking the scenic Beacon Falls.
The project has opened in stages, with The Roundhouse restaurant, lounge, and bar opened in April 2012, the first 14 guest rooms last summer – alongside the 250-capacity event space – and the remaining 42 guests rooms and luxury spa have now been completed. The site’s former hydroelectric plant will also be restored to provide green electricity to the property.
The new destination restaurant, Swift, faces Beacon Falls, providing striking views through floor-to-ceiling windows. As one of the few historic industrial buildings remaining in Beacon, the Roundhouse building holds a special place in many Beaconites’ hearts.
Many local artisans have manufactured the pieces that Rockwell Group specified: the wooden tables, the hand-blown chandelier in the lounge, the nickel-cerused walnut bar surface and gold-cerused oak bar face, and the concrete tables in the lounge.
The first level of the restored Roundhouse contains the spacious main dining room restaurant and bar, a 50-seat lounge called 2EM, and a large dining patio. The upper levels contain 12 standard guest rooms, and two penthouse suites with commanding views of the falls. There is also an 80-seat private dining room for more intimate events. The former steel truss pedestrian bridge that linked the factory campus on both sides of the creek has been replaced with a more modern open structure that retains the industrial feel of the original.
The first phase of the hotel opened with 12 standard guest rooms and two penthouse suites in the Roundhouse building. The rooms will feature striking views and distinctive works of art from The Roundhouse Art Collection.
The second phase of the hotel, The Mill, consisted of two historic mill buildings joined by a glass vestibule. The Mill features 42 guest rooms – with one-of-a kind views of both Beacon Falls and Mount Beacon – a spacious lobby with reception area and library on the first level, and a well-appointed spa and gym space on the second level. The Mill also features works of art from The Roundhouse Art Collection.
The 9000ft² mill building, which sits at the head of the falls, serves as an event space with 25ft high ceilings, restored long-span wood trusses, and industrial finishes.
Between the main event space, The Waterfall Room – with a wraparound terrace – and The Gallery – a mezzanine area above The Waterfall Room, ideal for cocktail hours – the space is capable of seating 250 people for a variety of events. An all-glass wall facing the creek will open up to a patio overlooking Beacon Falls and naturally landscaped gardens along the creek’s edge.
