I didn't realize that this has been in the works for years. It would be great to revitalize that stretch of town and make use of that beautiful building (and I admittedly love a good beer hall . Is it DOA or moving forward? If so, when?
Media stories and the website of the owners - Landmark Hospitality and Landmark Venues - have said renovations are scheduled to be done in Fall 2020. My experience is that usually means "sometime in 2021."
birdwatcher - Looks like you're a newcomer to South Orange - welcome! You're right that it will (notice that I said "will") revitalize that part of the downtown.
If you want to get the latest word, contact Sheena Collum. She's very accessible and responsive.
I’m not by there everyday. I see a fence is up and it looks kind of hollowed out. The other day there was an elderly man with a sledge hammer, all by himself whipping up a lot of dust. I say 2022
I agree that folks should be informed about local issues and attend meetings and meet local officials when they can. That said, I think it's a little unfair to send people to the village president for updates, as this development is being managed by a private company and there also have been updates from local media such as Village Green. The village is not responsible for when it opens.
I was opposed to the selling of Village Hall, but if there was one group I would be okay with it being sold to, it was Landmark. They have an amazing reputation for rehabbing buildings properly. A few months ago, the website listed Village Hall Tavern as being open in late summer/early fall this year. I guess they realized that was ambitious. I still trust that they will be good stewards of the property, if this isn’t the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I contacted Sheena and she said that there are workers in Village Hall everyday and it should be ready by the end of the year, hopefully sooner. It will be a wonderful asset to the town and Sheena deserves the credit for getting it done - from getting the BOT to go out for proposals when she got on the BOT, to evaluating the proposals that came in, to defending the proposed restaurant/beer hall in court against the challenge of a nearby landlord. We're very lucky to have someone with the caliber of Landmark doing the renovation and operating the facility - marylago has linked above to the other venues that Landmark owns and operates.
I have been watching the project, and there has been a tremendous amount of work done, despite what some here are claiming. Much of the interior structure has been replaced. There is structural steel installed everywhere I can see. So much has been excavated that I'm sure they have added a full basement and repoured footings. I've seen a lot of concrete go in. I don't see how they can finish by the fall, but it takes time to do something right.
It's pretty incredible to think about all of the new food and drink places over the past few years - Orange Lawn and Bistro d'Azur (both named to NJ Monthly's "best" list), Fox and Falcon, Jackie and Son, The Order, The Cassidy, Luna Stella, Pickett's Village Bar, Ani Ramen, Mozzarella, Sabatino's, Bread Stand, True Salvage Cafe, Elitist Coffee, new places on Irvington Ave. (La Villa) and Springfield Ave. (Freetown Kitchen and others), and I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of places. And of course all of the established places.
Would be great if the village hall place opens this year, but if not, it's not as if we don't have a lot of great options just in the two towns.
Sadly, we'll be losing Boconne South, which is one of the best restaurants in the area. The old Blockbuster site - actually, the entire block other than Chris's Diner - is being redeveloped and Sylvio couldn't find a suitable place in South Orange to relocate His last day is March 31 and he's moving to 519 Millburn Ave., Short Hills. I'm sure that Sylvio will have a large following and will no doubt get a lot of new customers at his new location. Boconne was our go to place. It will probably remain so.
As much as I hate losing Boconne, the new development will be an asset to the town.
birdwatcher - Looks like you're a newcomer to South Orange - welcome! You're right that it will (notice that I said "will") revitalize that part of the downtown.
If you want to get the latest word, contact Sheena Collum. She's very accessible and responsive.
I contacted Sheena and she said that there are workers in Village Hall everyday and it should be ready by the end of the year, hopefully sooner. It will be a wonderful asset to the town and Sheena deserves the credit for getting it done - from getting the BOT to go out for proposals when she got on the BOT, to evaluating the proposals that came in, to defending the proposed restaurant/beer hall in court against the challenge of a nearby landlord. We're very lucky to have someone with the caliber of Landmark doing the renovation and operating the facility - marylago has linked above to the other venues that Landmark owns and operates.
Sadly, we'll be losing Boconne South, which is one of the best restaurants in the area. The old Blockbuster site - actually, the entire block other than Chris's Diner - is being redeveloped and Sylvio couldn't find a suitable place in South Orange to relocate His last day is March 31 and he's moving to 519 Millburn Ave., Short Hills. I'm sure that Sylvio will have a large following and will no doubt get a lot of new customers at his new location. Boconne was our go to place. It will probably remain so.
As much as I hate losing Boconne, the new development will be an asset to the town.
Sadly, we'll be losing Boconne South, which is one of the best restaurants in the area. The old Blockbuster site - actually, the entire block other than Chris's Diner - is being redeveloped and Sylvio couldn't find a suitable place in South Orange to relocate His last day is March 31 and he's moving to 519 Millburn Ave., Short Hills. I'm sure that Sylvio will have a large following and will no doubt get a lot of new customers at his new location. Boconne was our go to place. It will probably remain so.
As much as I hate losing Boconne, the new development will be an asset to the town.
Thank you for your kind welcome! I will be a newcomer this spring.
Welcome and judging by your handle, I'd like to invite you to visit and share on my thread The Uncaged Bird. I've been slow posting lately but I'll share something shortly.
(everyone else please excuse the thread drift and as far as the Beer Hall, I'm anxious to stop by for a brew.)
Welcome and judging by your handle, I'd like to invite you to visit and share on my thread The Uncaged Bird. I've been slow posting lately but I'll share something shortly.
(everyone else please excuse the thread drift and as far as the Beer Hall, I'm anxious to stop by for a brew.)
I am so happy you shared your thread! I took a look and there is so much great information on there! It will be my first time living in the area, and I am so excited to put out my feeders. Please continue to post!
eta - This journey began in 2013 when Sheena was first elected to the BOT. She wanted to go out with a request for proposals to repurpose Village Hall and had a tough time convincing the BOT and Village President to do it. This is her baby.
eta - This journey began in 2013 when Sheena was first elected to the BOT. She wanted to go out with a request for proposals to repurpose Village Hall and had a tough time convincing the BOT and Village President to do it. This is her baby.
I absolutely give credit to Sheena for convincing her colleagues to sell the property. But, for what it is worth, the rehabilitation of Village Hall has been a topic since at least 2009. I did a blog post about it at the time: http://trusteegoldberg.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-city-of-ruins.html
It’s been a very long road, but glad it finally got done.
Yes, 2009 wasn't a great time to try to get anyone interested in buying/repurposing Village Hall because of the financial crisis. I think one party bid $1 for it. ) The BOT had to be convinced that things were a lot better in 2013. It was still tough because the restoration of Village Hall had already started and was running $1 million over budget.
eta - It is a wonderful asset to South Orange and it's great that so many people are excited about it.
Yes, 2009 wasn't a great time to try to get anyone interested in buying/repurposing Village Hall because of the financial crisis. I think one party bid $1 for it. ) The BOT had to be convinced that things were a lot better in 2013. It was still tough because the restoration of Village Hall had already started and was running $1 million over budget.
eta - It is a wonderful asset to South Orange and it's great that so many people are excited about it.
remember this? The place is stunning on the inside, open kitchen, all marble tables, with a clear view of what’s going on in the kitchen. This place will be packed. To think some people couldn’t see the value in doing this.
From sheena back in 2017.
Neighbors - I'm sorry to share that Stuart Wainberg of Wainco South Orange, LLC has filed an appeal with the Superior Court of New Jersey to stop the redevelopment of Village Hall into a restaurant and indoor/outdoor beer garden. Named in the suit is our Planning Board and the applicant Landmark Hospitality. I have a lot to share with you and am preparing to answer all of your questions in a very transparent and honest way. I'm considering doing a Facebook Live on this app...See more —
South Orange residents wondered at the time when Wainberg was holding up construction how he could continue to be in the town. He really had a bad name. He sold his building two years ago for $11.6 million.
I didn't realize that this has been in the works for years. It would be great to revitalize that stretch of town and make use of that beautiful building (and I admittedly love a good beer hall
. Is it DOA or moving forward? If so, when?