Hilton Garden Hotel Planned on Pittsfield-Lenox Road

PITTSFIELD — A leader in the Berkshire County hospitality sector has announced plans to develop a Hilton Garden Inn on the Pittsfield-Lenox Road.

Vijay Mahida, who got his start in the hospitality industry in Pittsfield some 15 years ago, plans to break ground on the Pittsfield project this spring with a grand opening targeted for late spring 2014. The 95-room, $10 million hotel will be constructed on the current site of Dr. Lahey's Garden Center, 1032 South St., adjacent to Guido's Fresh Marketplace and Pittsfield Rye bakery.  

Hilton Gardens is expected to open 75 new hotels in the United States this year. Dr. Lahey's has started a 50 percent off sale and expects to close at the end of the month, with a new location to announced later.

Mr. Mahida said the current conditions in Berkshire County are ideal for introducing a highly respected hospitality brand with strong appeal to business and recreational travelers.

"I am encouraged by the consistent growth of travel to the Berkshires, even in the face of a less-than-robust national economy," said Mahida. "Business travelers visiting the Berkshires will appreciate seeing a trusted national brand like Hilton Garden Inn. Our new hotel will also be convenient to many recreational and cultural venues, from the excellent local ski areas to the Colonial Theatre to Tanglewood to our nationally renowned museums. We feel Pittsfield and Berkshire County deserve this project and we are committed to making it as successful as our other hospitality businesses."

Local business leaders expressed enthusiasm for the project.

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Supranowicz said the construction project and ongoing operation of the hotel would have a positive ripple effect in the local economy.

"We welcome this project in Pittsfield," said Supranowicz. "The initial $10 million construction project could support employment for more than 95 construction professionals, and have a total impact of more than $16 million in the local economy. When you add up the direct, indirect and induced economic results, we estimate that the ongoing operation of the Hilton Garden Inn could generate about $4 million of total economic impact annually in the Berkshires."     

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.