North Adams' Historic Wigwam To Become Hotel

By Andy McKeever
iBerkshires Staff
12:43PM / Saturday, December 11, 2010

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Update, Tuesday,  Dec. 14, 11:02 a.m.: The Planning Board swiftly approved the plans for the Wigwam house and cabins on Monday night. Owner Nancy Fitzpatrick and Bruce Finn, general manager the Porches, attended the meeting along with architects and designers for the project. According to a report in the North Adams Transcript, Finn said the century-old landmark "captures the imagination and the spirit of adventurous guests by recalling the nostalgia of bygone days of the motor tours on Route 2."

At least two additional cabins are planned to be built on the Wigwam property.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board on Monday will review renovation plans to turn the "Wigwam" house, on the summit of Route 2, into a hotel and add more guest cabins to the property.

The two-story house that was last used as a single-family residence, six rentable cabins and a gift shop currently sit on the 3.8-acre land. Nancy Fitzpatrick of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge and Porches Inn purchased the property this past summer for $275,000 as LMNO Properties.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. on Fitzpatrick's request to build at least two additional cabins, renovate the house into four hotel rooms and lease the gift shop. A long-term goal of rebuilding a Western Summit lookout tower is also on the radar. The business would be managed by the Porches in the city's downtown.

Since the 1920s, the Wigwam has been a destination stop because of its scenic view of Mount Greylock and the North Adams valley. Last year, it was included in Berkshire Natural Resources Council's purchase of about 700 abutting acres to build a trail system. The gift shop closed last fall and the cabins were last opened in 2008.

The plans are available at City Hall and include the following:

•  The house will maintain its current footprint and dimension. Renovations include installing four guest units in the two-story structure.  One of the ground-level units will be for extended stays and will include a kitchenette/living room, a bedroom and a small loft that could fit one bed. The other ground-level room will be handicapped accessible with a two-person loft. 

The house will have a total sleeping space for eight to 11 people with a small kitchen that can be used for catering and on-site events.  Also planned is an indoor hot tub and a fire pit next to it. The house will operate year-round if there is high enough demand.

• There will be eight to 11 cabins. One of the current cabins needs to be demolished and rebuilt. Each cabin can accommodate two people and could be rented from Memorial Day until Columbus Day.

• The gift shop will continue to operate as that although the vendors would change. The current signs will be removed until a suitable tenant can be found to lease the shop. The shop would not only sell souvenirs but also cold drinks, fudge and possibly ice cream.

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