Rising from the ashes….The Rhinecliff Hotel Reopens
January 20th, 2009
A simple rooming house for tired travelers and their horses was built on the Hudson River bank in 1854. In later years, it serviced the ferry terminal and the railroad depot in the hamlet of Rhinecliff. Over time, the hotel fell victim of disrepair until it closed its doors in 2003.
The Chapman brothers decided to revive the ailing building and bring it back into the spotlight.
Renovation work was in progress, when a stop work order was issued. David Borenstein, Architects and Builders were called in to sift through the mountains of paperwork, redesign the building, attend long review meetings, public hearings, and act as liaisons between the engineers, consultants, and building officials. With the support of the community and undying commitment of the owners, the work was completed.
David Borenstein added his personal creative touches throughout the hotel. Recycled wood from the old building was used to create countertops, shower brackets and wall art. Rustic corrugated metal roofing was used in sculptures and artwork. He improvised an innovative use of a copper gutter to collect the gray water from lavatories in the public bathrooms and created partitions with cedar doors and painted glass inserts.
The Rhinecliff opened in 2008 to the delight of the owners and the entire community.
For more on the Rhinecliff visit their website at www.therhinecliff.com.
Made from recycled tin ceiling panels, 'The Three Graces' by David Borenstein, appear in one of the guest rooms.
David Borenstein’s handpainted glass panels in cedar framed doors appear in the public woman’s room.
David Borenstein’s handpainted glass panels in cedar framed doors appear in the public men’s room.
For more of David’s artwork, please visit www.borensteinartwork.com.
For more photos of The Rhinecliff, please visit http://www.architectdavidborenstein.com/portfolio.cfm?cat_id=1&port_id=92.