(Correction: the version of this article that appeared in the September issue of the Hopewell Express stated that plans for The Hopewell included a membership plan for the local community. This has been included in the proposal in the past, but is no longer part of the developer’s plans.)
After nine months of hours-long Zoom meetings, the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment has voted to approve a variance that would enable a proposed hotel development to move forward on a historic property on Fiddlers Creek Road.
Five of the seven members of the zoning board voted to approve the application. The next step is for the board to adopt a resolution confirming their decision, which would occur at a future board meeting.
Developer Margot Stern has proposed a “boutique hotel” called The Hopewell to be created on the site of the historic Hollystone Manor property, which has ties to the Titus family, namesakes of Titusville.
Stern’s proposal would see the large stone home and outbuildings turned into a 27-room, retreat-style inn with a full-service restaurant and spa-like amenities. Stern hopes to lure travelers to the area with the promise of a relaxing setting with numerous leisure attractions in the area.
The property, which sits amid acres of preserved land, is located in a Mountain Resource Conservation Zone, meaning that commercial development requires a variance to be granted by the zoning board.
The proposal met with vociferous opposition both online and in the meetings. A “Stop the Hotel” movement was orchestrated by another real estate developer, John Mastrosimone, Jr., who lives on Fiddlers Creek Road. In the months since the proposal first appeared on a zoning board agenda, the board has heard from both witnesses provided by the developer and residents opposed to the project.
In the end, the board opted to vote to approve the application to allow a commercial development on the site. Following formal adoption of a resolution, applicant Stern will still have to get site plan approval, which will provide specific details on how the proposal will satisfy the requirements of the zoning board’s resolution.
Members of the zoning board, as well as members of the township administration, declined to comment to the Hopewell Express pending adoption of the resolution. Once notice of the adoption of the resolution is published, there will be a 45-day window during which the board’s decision can be challenged in court.
According to the Hopewell Township Historic Preservation Commission, the oldest part of the main house — the dining and living rooms — were built around 1770 by the Titus family. Joseph Titus owned some 293 acres around the current farmstead when he died in 1797.
Other sections of the house date back to 1819 and the 1840s, and several additions were made in the 20th century. The barn dates back to the 19th century as well.
Stern, a resident of Philadelphia, is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business’ MBA program, wher she wrote her masters thesis on agro-tourism and eco-tourism. She has successfully launched a similar style hotel, Avenida Baja, in Mexico.
In her proposal, Stern likened her vision to the kind of boutique destinations that have become popular in New York and New England, a wooded retreat like Inness in the Catskills or Twin Farms in Vermont.
Brad Fay, founder of Discover Central New Jersey, spoke at one of the zoning board meetings about the potential economic benefits of a hotel such as The Hopewell.
Since the pandemic, tourism has been down in New Jersey, Fay told the Express. He cited an annual economics report commissioned by the Division of Tourism that showed that by 2022, New Jersey had nearly recovered, but the recovery was uneven.
“Among 21 counties in New Jersey, Mercer County has had the slowest rebound. In 2022, Mercer County was still 22% behind 2019 in terms of tourism revenues,” Fay said.
Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill formally recognizing Central New Jersey as a region of the state. Discover Central New Jersey, an organization touting the attractions and amenities of the region, has lent ardent support to the bill.
“Discover Central New Jersey is designed to promote farms, farm-to-table restaurants, craft beverages, outdoor recreation — these are some of the things that I believe are the best attactions in Central New Jersey,” Fay said. “One of the challenges we have is that most of the hotels that have been built in this area have really been designed for business travelers.”
There is a need for hotels like The Hopewell that will be more appealing for people who are looking for more of a getaway, Fay said.
“That’s where I think The Hopewell proposal fits very well,” Fay said. “What we’ve lost in Central New Jersey since the pandemic is business travel. People are choosing virtual meetings over traveling for business. That is one of the reasons we need to increase the appeal of our area for leisure tourism. That’s one of the reasons the governor signed the bill.”
Margot Stern prepares the dining area for service at The Hopewell on Nov. 5, 2022 for a pop-up dinner with Chef Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club. (Photo by Laura Pedrick.),
