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Post by Freehold Resident on Jul 23, 2007 17:56:38 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that Unwelcome Guest--I've never seen the hotel/upstairs part before. So very interesting.
;D to Fiber. I was being sarcastic anyway. I wouldn't expect a gay bar in downtown Freehold anyway. Outside of main street, possibly, but point is I was trying to tell these people to stop being Debbie Downers about everything. Wah...Wah....Wah....
FR
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Post by admin on Jul 25, 2007 16:04:23 GMT -5
The News Transcript did a fantastic write up on the revival of the American Hotel. Please take the time to read it. I know some have skeptical views, but I do not think anybody can really believe that what is happening is a bad thing. I think we all need to believe and hope that the AH is reflective of our town moving ahead in some good ways. We may have more than our fair share of problems, but we can not forget to appreciate the good things that are here and hopefully coming. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0725/Front_page/001.html |
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Post by admin on Aug 16, 2007 6:58:28 GMT -5
The following article was found via google alerts. I never heard of Hotel News Wire. This shows that our town is being watched. The following is a good write up. Where did that come from?  www.hotelexecutive.com/newswire/pub/_24176.aspFreehold's American Hotel Set for Revitalization AUGUST 15, 2007. Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson, entrepreneur Steven Goldberg and architect Michael V. Testa unveiled plans for the next incarnation of the borough’s historic landmark inn,the American Hotel, built in 1834. Goldberg purchased the hotel in a public auction in March 2006 for $2.5 million. The structure had been abandoned and endured a small fire. Renovation has begun on the edifice, which will house a restaurant, two large catering halls, a mid-size meeting room, and a lobby lounge all on the ground floor, and two floors of modern accommodations, 11 spacious rooms with baths on the second and third levels. A luxurious day-spa may be housed in the sub-street level, and entrances on the front (MainStreet) and back (Market Yard Parking Lot) will be completely renovated and extended, with enhanced landscaping. Following his purchase of the American Hotel,Goldberg, along with Rob Kash, owner of several popular eateries including the chic Metropolitan Café,and Mike Page, owner of the venerable Court Jester,took trips into Manhattan to specifically research the numerous boutique hotels in operation. Goldberg also spent time just sitting on a bench at various times during the days and weekends, in all seasons, to watch the natural traffic patterns and to listen to comments from passersby who would gaze at the forlorn building. “I had become aware of the historical significance of the building and its place in history here in town,”Goldman said. “The American Hotel is in the hearts and memories of so many people. Listening to the irrecollections made me realize that this structure is a significant part of the very fabric of this town and seemed to be the center of the borough.” He added that there are two parts of the storied history of the American Hotel to maintain. One is the physical appearance, and the other is the sense of the place, and what it provides in town. Michael V. Testa, Architect, of Manalapan, who designed the project with Goldman, commented, “Mr.Goldberg’s creativity and architectural background has given us a great start to visualize his dream to maintain the original architectural elements and character as well as invigorate the existing building with a new modern flavor that will run throughout the interior of the building.” Testa added that the American Hotel is designed to blend its original use with modern amenities. For example, he pointed out, the use of an upscale restaurant that opens up to the sidewalk and incorporates the adjacent hotel lobby-lounge is a new concept that will keep the main floor active and inviting. “In addition, the new 22 contemporary hotel suites on the second and third floors will give the guests the feeling that they are in a modern Manhattan hotel room while enjoying the small town flavor of Downtown Freehold.” Goldberg said that he envisions the hotel being occupied by those doing business in town, such as at the Monmouth County Courthouse and other county facilities, as well as guests for family and corporate events held in the catering halls. “We are seeing now the rebirth of a landmark, not only here in Freehold Borough, but in the entire state of New Jersey,” said Mayor Wilson. “The American Hotel is known statewide. It has withstood a lot of neglect, poor ownership and a fire. It is coming back, rising from the dead, starting today.”Goldman projected that the American Hotel in its entirety should be open sometime by late spring orearly summer 2008. It is expected that the opening of the American Hotel will galvanize a resurgence and a more invigorated redevelopment of the historic county-seat downtown.
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Post by admin on Aug 16, 2007 8:33:41 GMT -5
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Post by LS on Aug 16, 2007 9:06:47 GMT -5
Wow, that's great!!!
[According to some, this is appropriate response to any good article. People, you can't just read it and NOT respond - forum rules.]
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Post by Freehold Resident on Aug 16, 2007 9:26:30 GMT -5
LS:
Got Paxil?
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Post by LS on Aug 16, 2007 9:51:26 GMT -5
no, no paxil, just a daily regiment of self-medication - homeopathic remedies like beer and wine.
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Post by LS on Aug 16, 2007 15:47:17 GMT -5
p.s. a lot of work going on at the American Hotel. 2 dumpsters - one completely full this afternoon - I will guess that both are filled as of this writing.
Interestingly I noticed two hispanics working / gutting the building, throwing stuff in the dumpster, etc...
but I noticed more blacks and whites doing those sorts of things that Americans won't do...
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leelye
Junior Member
Posts: 150
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Post by leelye on Dec 7, 2007 20:02:09 GMT -5
Seems all work has ceased on this "Landmark" Does anyone know what the hold up is?
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Jan 7, 2008 14:36:05 GMT -5
Anyone seen the Hotel lately? a lot of demolition work going on... you'd be surprised if you haven't seen it recently...
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Post by admin on Jan 7, 2008 15:00:40 GMT -5
Anyone seen the Hotel lately? a lot of demolition work going on... you'd be surprised if you haven't seen it recently... LS, I was reading your previous posts on this thread and to quote you: I did see what you are talking about. The hotel has the side walk caged off as well as other evident work. |
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Jan 7, 2008 15:13:41 GMT -5
well, for people like Mr. Kelsey and others who haven't been downtown in recent days...
looking at the American Hotel from the street....
you'd have to ask yourself...
What happened to the entire right side of the building?
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Post by admin on Jan 9, 2008 5:54:23 GMT -5
well, for people like Mr. Kelsey and others who haven't been downtown in recent days... looking at the American Hotel from the street.... you'd have to ask yourself... What happened to the entire right side of the building?
Click on the link to see the picture. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0109/Front_Page/001.htmlDamage proves too much to save landmark American Hotel's oldest section is demolished; new building will rise BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer There is good news and bad news this week for a Freehold Borough landmark that has graced Main Street for 180 years. The businessman who bought the American Hotel, Freehold Borough, said it became apparent several months ago that the 180-year-old section of the landmark was structurally unsound. The historic hotel was demolished last week. A new structure will be built in its place. The good news is that work is progressing to bring the former American Hotel back to life. The bad news is that the oldest part of the hotel - the part that held most of its history - had to go in order to make that happen. As workmen raised their axes last week to clear the way for a new structure that will be built to replace the aging building that code enforcement official Hank Stryker III called structurally unsound, memories of almost two centuries dissipated into debris, sprinkling the building's historic past over the parcel of land where it had made its home since 1827. "The ghosts are homeless now" is the way Steve Goldberg put it. ERIC SUCAR staff Goldberg bought the American Hotel in a public auction for $2.5 million in March 2006. When he purchased the building, Goldberg said he was well aware of the historic significance of the hotel, its memories and the place it held in the hearts of many Freehold Borough residents. This week Goldberg told the News Transcript he was sad to have to tear down the oldest part of the landmark building, but he said it had to go. "There was no other way," he said. "That part of the building was 180 years old. It suffered a great deal of interior structural damage from past neglect. The decision had to be made." However, Goldberg said he is excited about the prospect of bringing the American Hotel - which had not rented hotel rooms for years before its demise - back to life. He said the new building that will take the place of the Main Street landmark will be designed to come as close as possible to the original look of the old hotel. Goldberg said the situation became apparent several months ago when work began on the interior renovations. "Removal of the interior finishes revealed that the real structural elements were in very bad shape, and it was the consensus that this part of the building could not be saved," he said. Goldberg said he held off on the demolition work because he did not want to disrupt the downtown area with heavy equipment and noise during the holiday season. According to Stryker, when the interior work began, it was discovered that the second and third floors of the old hotel were not structurally sound. "It was questionable whether or not the first floor could be saved," Stryker said. Upon closer examination, Stryker said, the condition of the foundation and footings were not structurally sound enough to carry and support the new structure that was to be built. "It is possible to remove a second and third floor and build onto that, but only if the footings and foundations are structurally sound. If they are not sound you end up with structural problems," he explained. According to Stryker, the current plan for the site is to add additional footings and foundation and to rebuild the footings and foundation in the existing basement. The removal of the front portion of the hotel does not change the design plans which include the creation of an upscale café restaurant, a lobby and lounge with a bar, renovated ballrooms and 22 guest rooms. Goldberg said he is hoping the hotel will be complete and ready to open by the summer. Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said, "Having to take down a part of this historic building is better than leaving the blemish and the eyesore that has existed in the downtown area all these years. "We are now hoping that within the year a building that the mayor has always called the focal point of western Monmouth County will once again be just that. This is good for Freehold, good for the downtown area and great for western Monmouth County," he said. Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine, who is the liaison to the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, said, "We all lament what the march of time, the elements and poor previous ownership have done to our downtown centerpiece. We can, however, take much solace in recognizing that Mr. Goldberg is trying to restore the American Hotel to its familiar appearance by addressing its recent neglect and natural decline. "By providing our historic property with some new infrastructure to support its greatly anticipated face-lift, the new ownership can begin to ensure a brighter future for this grand old building's structural and historical integrity, as well as its business viability," he said. Le Vine said he will await the return of the building's familiar appearance, the identifying welcoming sign and the restoration of many fond memories. "There, once again, will proudly stand Freehold's landmark, the American Hotel," he said. |
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Post by Libyan Sibyl on Jan 9, 2008 9:13:23 GMT -5
"demolished"---- somthing does not add up here. Why? What? care to explain? The rumors about the condition of the building made it surprising that there was no demolition to begin with. Money can't save everything. The article says that teh owner is going to replicate the original facade. I hope they kept some of the bar area. |
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Post by admin on Jan 9, 2008 18:44:51 GMT -5
"demolished"---- somthing does not add up here. Why? What? care to explain? The rumors about the condition of the building made it surprising that there was no demolition to begin with. Money can't save everything. The article says that the owner is going to replicate the original facade. I hope they kept some of the bar area. Good points. Considering the age, the fire, the water damage, and then the abandonment, it is surprising that demo was not considered earlier. I have always found it amazing how fast a structure will go down hill when it is not being used. |
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ka19
Junior Member
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Post by ka19 on Jan 10, 2008 10:20:09 GMT -5
Looks like the place is in good hands. Hopefully the project is extremely profitable to both the boro and Mr. Goldberg.
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Post by admin on Jan 10, 2008 19:47:57 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/NEWS01/801100521/1285/LOCAL09FREEHOLD — A piece of borough history is gone forever, but its future soon will rise from the rubble. The oldest part of the American Hotel, a Main Street icon, has been torn down, said owner Steve Goldberg. "The years of neglect and some of the interior modifications left it structurally unsound," Goldberg said. Three floors in the front of the building — about 6,000 square feet — needed to be demolished to make way for the new American Hotel. In its place, Goldberg plans to rebuild in a similar style to the old hotel. "It will definitely evoke what was there," Goldberg said. Goldberg's plans for the hotel include a new restaurant, a lobby and lounge area, catering facilities, a general meeting area and 22 hotel rooms. He expects to reopen this summer. Demolition work began last week, but Goldberg said support structures and old items such as furniture still were being pulled from the basement Wednesday. New footings — foundations under columns and walls — are already being repoured, he said. Before tearing the building down, Goldberg said he sought approval from the town's director of code enforcement, Henry Stryker III, and members of the borough's Historic Preservation Committee. "I definitely wanted them to understand and concur," he said. The American Hotel has been a part of the downtown landscape since 1824, when it was built as a stagecoach stop. It was enlarged in 1928. The building was closed down for fire code violations in January 2004. The empty building was then significantly damaged by a fire in February 2005. "We all feel sad that the march of time and the poor ownership of the past has brought us to this," said Councilman Marc Le Vine, liaison to the borough's Historic Preservation Committee. "The good news is that Steve Goldberg's plan is to return the building . . . to its past glory." This story includes material from previous Press stories. Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com
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cloris
Novice
Power to the peeps!
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Post by cloris on Jan 20, 2008 20:15:19 GMT -5
It is terrible that part of the hotel had to come down. At least we are seeing progress on that site. That part of Main Street is very nice to walk along. Having the new building finished will be a really nice treat.
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Post by admin on Jan 23, 2008 16:54:49 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Apr 10, 2008 7:12:09 GMT -5
The topic of the American Hotel has popped up on a couple of other threads. I received a surprise communication from a very credible source sharing some news.
It appears the AH is simply waiting for a steel delivery. Once that happens, work is expected to resume at a good pace with the expectation of opening this year.
In other words, folks, this gem of Main Street is still on its way, even with a set back or two. I am sure we all look forward to it.
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Post by admin on May 16, 2008 5:52:04 GMT -5
The topic of the American Hotel has popped up on a couple of other threads. I received a surprise communication from a very credible source sharing some news. It appears the AH is simply waiting for a steel delivery. Once that happens, work is expected to resume at a good pace with the expectation of opening this year. In other words, folks, this gem of Main Street is still on its way, even with a set back or two. I am sure we all look forward to it. FREEHOLD -- The reconstruction of a borough landmark is progressing this week with the erection of a steel structure that replaces part of the American Hotel. Workers began putting up the East Main Street structure Wednesday night, hotel owner Steve Goldberg said. Weather permitting, the work will continue tonight from about 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, Goldberg said. During construction, the lanes on East Main Street will be reconfigured and parking will not be allowed, Goldberg said. The structure will replace about 6,000 square feet of the hotel that was demolished in January because it was structurally unsound. |
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Post by admin on May 16, 2008 20:59:12 GMT -5
a better article....... FREEHOLD — A borough landmark is beginning to rise again. The erection of a steel structure — which will replace a demolished portion of the American Hotel — began Wednesday night, according to owner Steve Goldberg. He expects the work to take about three nights to complete, weather permitting. Jackson-based New Jersey Iron is putting up the structure, which is located on East Main Street, said Goldberg. The structure is being put up at night — with the help of large spotlights — from about 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Goldberg said. East Main Street has not been closed down, but the lanes are reconfigured and vehicles cannot park on the street during construction, Goldberg said. Workers are laying steel beams for three stories and a basement for the hotel, Goldberg said. Once they finish, the next step is to enclose the building. Then work can begin on the interior, Goldberg said. A portion of the hotel — about 6,000 square feet — had to be torn down in January when it was determined to be structurally unsound. In its place, Goldberg has said he plans to rebuild the hotel in a manner similar to its original appearance. Goldberg's plans for the hotel include a new restaurant, a lobby and lounge area, catering facilities, a general meeting area and 22 hotel rooms. The American Hotel has been a part of downtown Freehold since 1824, when it was built as a stagecoach stop. It was enlarged in 1928. The building was closed for fire code violations in January 2004. The empty building was then significantly damaged by a fire in February 2005. Karen Pierce, 49, of Spring Lake Heights, says she used to eat at the hotel restaurant and attend parties there. "I loved it. It was beautiful," said Pierce, sitting outside Wednesday in downtown Freehold. "I would love to see it restored," she added. Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/NEWS01/805160422/1285/LOCAL09 |
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Post by admin on May 17, 2008 8:32:30 GMT -5
Normal construction delay. Can't wait to see what it looks like by fall. I agree. When I heard that the project was to be completed in the spring, I was very skeptical. It seams that construction projects often do not make the deadline. I have always been confident that this project will get finished and be an asset to our town. I, too, cannot wait to see what it will be like. A fellow Irishman told me that I will appreciate the bar. ;D |
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Post by novillero on May 18, 2008 19:24:07 GMT -5
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Post by novillero on May 21, 2008 10:35:51 GMT -5
 JEFF GRANIT staff The first steps on the road to building a new structure on the site of the former American Hotel on Main Street, Freehold Borough, were taken May 14. A threetiered steel frame now sits where the historic landmark was razed in January. The hotel was part of the fabric of the borough's streetscape for almost 200 years. Calling the construction of the new building "exciting," owner Steve Goldberg's current plan calls for the construction of a 22-room hotel - something the American Hotel had not been used as for years- along with a restaurant and banquet facilities. Goldberg purchased the American Hotel in a public auction in March 2006. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0521/front_page/023.html |
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Post by admin on Jun 9, 2008 11:26:21 GMT -5
The topic of the American Hotel has popped up on a couple of other threads. I received a surprise communication from a very credible source sharing some news. It appears the AH is simply waiting for a steel delivery. Once that happens, work is expected to resume at a good pace with the expectation of opening this year. In other words, folks, this gem of Main Street is still on its way, even with a set back or two. I am sure we all look forward to it. With the steel work apparently finished, the wood framing is going up very quick. In the post I quoted above, a good source had mentioned this would happen, and it has. It is great to see the progress on the AH on almost a daily basis. |
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Post by admin on Oct 8, 2009 6:39:55 GMT -5
I felt it was worth reviving this old thread again. This week there is a front page article about he American Hotel in the News Transcript. It is a really nice article with some inside pictures to give us a preview of what we will see in the very near future. I will just provide the link here, but take the time to read it and check it out. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/1007/front_page/001.html |
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lisa
Novice
Posts: 76
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Post by lisa on Dec 20, 2009 12:21:31 GMT -5
Well I think this is wonderful news. When I have guests that come and stay with me it will be nice to know I have back-up if it gets to crazy. I have had family from Manalapan and other surrounding towns book downtown restaurants for partys. This will be a very welcome change to everyones options. This is so what Freehold boro needs And I think Steve Goldberg is a godsend to our town
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Post by admin on Dec 28, 2009 7:15:50 GMT -5
Bars open Dec 28th, Restaurant opens Dec29th, Hotel opens January 5th. Restaurant open New Years Eve with Jo Wymer and the Itty Bitty Band till 2AM.
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Post by admin on Dec 29, 2009 6:18:05 GMT -5
Bars open Dec 28th, Restaurant opens Dec29th, Hotel opens January 5th. Restaurant open New Years Eve with Jo Wymer and the Itty Bitty Band till 2AM. Its Opened! www.app.com/article/20091228/NEWS/91228066/American+Hotel+in+Freehold+opened+for+lunchAmerican Hotel in Freehold opened for lunch December 28, 2009 FREEHOLD — A day before its official grand opening, the American Hotel's restaurant was open for lunch this afternoon. According to an employee who answered the phone, the plan — which could change — is to only serve lunch Monday and Tuesday, then expand to dinner by Wednesday. Monday was the first day the restaurant has been open to the general public since 2004, though the hotel has been hosting private events since Dec. 17. -- Kim Predham |
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