The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

March 19, 2010

Harpers Ferry historic Hilltop House starts to collapse

Associated Press

Harpers Ferry — HARPERS FERRY (AP) — The owners of the Historic Hilltop House Hotel say it’s no surprise that part of the building has collapsed: Rotting wood, cracked walls and a deteriorating foundation have long been problems for the third structure to sit on the site since 1888.

The hotel was deemed structurally unsafe two years ago and closed in 2008, said Mike Miller, project manager for the owner, SWaN Investors of Leesburg, Va. Water leaks and mold had contributed to problems throughout the building, he said.

The first hotel was built on the property overlooking the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers in 1888, and it’s been rebuilt twice.

Two earlier incarnations were destroyed by fire in 1912 and 1919.

SWaN Investors said last year it hopes to demolish the hotel it bought in 2007 and build a replica 200 feet above the water for $75 million.

Still, Mayor James Addy said the partial collapse was a sad event.

“I think it’s a loss for the town from a standpoint of history and from the standpoint of its identification with the town,” he said Thursday.

“It was a historic spot and people have many fond memories of the Hilltop Hotel.”

SWaN has said it will build what it calls a historically sensitive reconstruction, borrowing from the 1912 design and featuring 179 rooms for high-end travelers and corporate groups.

Harpers Ferry has enacted a permit-processing fee in response to the plans, and SWaN has agreed to pay about $130,000 to have consultants review parking, traffic and other issues of concern to the town.

Addy said the town also plans zoning changes for property SWaN now owns around the hotel.

“We know that this is a significant event for that town and we respect their process,” Miller said.

“We are also very confident that what we put together is a first-class project that will do nothing but complement the town.”

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