PRESS RELEASE
The Villages at Staunton to create The Blackburn Inn & Spa
Charlestowne Hotels, Inc. and investment group Blackburn Inn Associates LLC reach an agreement to create a $28 Million, 102 room boutique hotel and spa at the Villages at Staunton in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
STAUNTON, Va. (24 January 2012) - Richmond, VA based investment group, Blackburn Inn Associates LLC, is beginning a new chapter of The Villages at Staunton, an 80 acre mixed-use development in Staunton's award-winning downtown district in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Blackburn Inn & Spa, a planned 102 room boutique hotel, spa and meeting center will be managed by Charlestowne Hotels Inc. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Charlestowne Hotels is a recognized leader in the development and management of boutique and historic hotel properties. As reported recently in USA Today, TripAdvisor's list of the top 25 Hotels in the United States highlights two Charlestowne Hotels-managed properties, including one in the top ten.
Blackburn Inn Associates will invest $28 million in the renovation of three historically significant buildings at the Villages that will comprise the inn and spa. The inn's name references Thomas R. Blackburn, the early Virginia architect and builder whose career began working with Thomas Jefferson on the construction of the nearby University of Virginia. In the late 1820's, using many of the masons and craftsmen who built the university, Thomas Blackburn began the buildings, extensive grounds and chapel that will make up the Blackburn Inn & Spa.
The Blackburn is scheduled to open the third quarter of 2013. Renovation work is slated to begin in the second quarter of this year. Once opened, the Blackburn will draw new visitors to Staunton's already strong mix of attractions, as well as capitalizing on other planned developments within The Villages at Staunton. Visitors to Staunton experience living history at sites including the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia and the beautiful Trinity Church, watch authentic Shakespearean plays at The Blackfriars Playhouse, sip award-winning wines at local vineyards, enjoy the invigorating mountain recreation and challenging golf of the Shenandoah Valley, explore the excellent restaurants and charming shops of downtown Staunton, and more.
Larry Spelts, director of asset management for Charlestowne Hotels, expressed confidence in the appeal and success of the planned property. "Staunton has a unique collection of tourism, cultural and recreational appeal that makes it a wonderful destination for travelers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The setting for the Blackburn at the Villages is a wonderful opportunity to create a unique hotel property. We are confident that with these attributes and the expertise of Charlestowne Hotels, we can create a full-fledged destination for tourism, dining, relaxation, and culture," he said.
"This is a really exciting time for the Villages at Staunton," said Robin Miller, a principal with Village Development Associates. Dan Gecker, also a principal of Village Development commented further, "We've long envisioned a hotel property being a central component of the project and we look forward to the special vitality it will add. The biggest takeaway from today's announcement is that it is a bright day for the Villages, the Blackburn and Staunton."
"The Blackburn is an important next step in the plan to create a unique destination environment at the Villages, one made up of residential, hospitality, entertainment, business and academic uses," offered Stan Manoogian with Piedmont Capital Partners|MB, advisor to Village Development Associates and Blackburn Inn Associates.
"I've been in awe of the transformations taking place at the Villages, and believe the Blackburn Inn will add yet another jewel in the crown", said Staunton City Manager Steve Owen. "The City has been very fortunate to work with the Village's visionaries and investors on this project and we look forward to the grand opening."
About Charlestowne Hotels
Charlestowne Hotels is a full-service hospitality management company offering innovative, yet proven, expertise in hotel development, operations, marketing and e-commerce, revenue management, and financial reporting. Founded in 1980 by Everett L. Smith, Jr., Charlestowne Hotels has become one of the most successful firms in the hospitality industry. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, the company has consistently demonstrated an earnest commitment to its clients, guests, employees, and community.
http://www.charlestownehotels.com/
About the Villages at Staunton
Village Development Associates of Richmond VA owns the Villages at Staunton. The Villages is an 80 acre mixed-use development in Staunton's award-winning downtown district featuring natural beauty and historic architecture. This unique neighborhood is set in the heart of Virginia's spectacular Shenandoah Valley just below the Blue Ridge Mountains. http://www.villagesatstaunton.com/
About Thomas R. Blackburn
Thomas R. Blackburn, as a young apprentice, engaged in the construction of Jefferson's famed "academical village" at the University of Virginia. He simultaneously embarked on an ambitious program of architectural study guided by Jefferson himself. In 1999, historians at the Virginia Historical Society acquired three curiously bound volumes of drawings and documents created between 1821 and 1858 by Blackburn. The drawings he executed over those four decades, ink and watercolor explorations of his many residential and civic commissions are witness to his emergence as a mature and prolific architect in his own right. The Blackburn collection is one of only two known southern collections of antebellum architectural drawings and contains the earliest known sketch of James Madison's home Montpelier. The story of Thomas R. Blackburn is recounted in the the book In Jefferson's Shadow: The Architecture of Thomas R. Blackburn by Bryan Clark Green, published by the Princeton Architectural Press.
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