Adaptive Reuse of Historic
Buildings Into Urban Resort

Foster Supply Hospitality (FSH) purchased three historic properties located on Grand Street in the heart of the City of Newburgh, New York. After months of strategic planning and property acquisition efforts, FSH retained LAN Associates to provide architecture and engineering services for the adaptive reuse of these historic buildings. Having previously served the community as a YMCA facility, American Legion Building, and Masonic Temple, all three properties are located in the “East End Historic District” and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new 90,000 sf “Urban Resort” Hotel & Spa will serve as a major attraction for the area.

LAN’s architects and engineers created plans to transform the local YMCA and American Legion buildings into a single 75-key hotel building by creating a modern connecting addition between the buildings, which will house a new stair tower. The lower level of the YMCA building will house a new spa and gym facilities, while the first floor will house guest rooms and amenities such as shop areas, a game room, a lounge, and a barbershop. The second floor will primarily consist of new guest rooms, many of which will have patios or balconies. Guest rooms continue onto the third floor, which will also house a luxury suite with a large private patio.

The Event Center is designed as a destination restaurant with a commercial kitchen, three bar areas, and two large catering halls, each with a prep kitchen, finishing area, and plating space. The existing spatial layout remains mostly the same throughout the building, with minor interior renovations required to repurpose space on each floor level. Consequently, the program and scope of work for the building requires a sensitivity to historic preservation for the adaptive reuse of the 1920s building. To support our client’s vision, LAN is designing a multi-level addition to the south side of the building, which will provide a new elevator for ADA compliance, a new commercial kitchen space, and a unique multi-level dining experience on the third and fourth floors.

Since each building is over 100 years old, a major focus of the design is to repurpose the buildings and modernize the interior while respecting their history. Historic features, including the fireplace and glass canopy on the buildings, will be renovated to showcase the building’s original architectural features. A rooftop bar and additional gathering area will be placed on the former Masonic Temple’s roof, allowing guests to enjoy scenic views of the Hudson River, Mt. Beacon, and Bannerman’s Island.