New owner for derelict Dragon Inn property
Building has been vacant and collapsing since it was damaged by fire in 1993
The Dragon Inn property has been sold to New York Citybased Baran Hospitality Group and expected to be rebuilt as lodging or a restaurant, company manger T.J. Anane says.
Anane said Tuesday will be several weeks before applications are filed for permits to rebuild the property on U.S. Route 9W/134 Burt St.
“We are looking at ... what is it that the town needs and, accordingly, we’ll make a final decision,” he said. “Whether it’s going to be a bed and breakfast with fine dining, it will be something (to do with) hospitality.”
The building, which is also known as Clovelea, has been vacant and collapsing since it was severely damaged by fire in November 1993. Historians report the building was constructed in the early 1880s as a mansion by William Sheffield, who owned the J.B. Sheffield Paper Mill on the property that is now home to Diamond Hill hotel.
Village Mayor Bill Murphy said the sale was closed last week and the new owner had contacted village officials to determine what permits will be needed.
Murphy said Anane “think there’s a way he can do it and... preserve the historic nature.”
“The problem with the Dragon Inn is that whole front section (where) the roof caved in, that’s not historic, that’s all addon,” Murphy said. “If that weren’t there, the existing original structure probably wouldn’t look as bad. It would just be a burnt-out, brick building.”
Murphy said two previous Dragon Inn owners had problems getting approvals from past village Historic Review Boards.
“This guy knows he’s got limitations (for) what he can and can’t do,” he said.
“I think I have a much better, fair-minded Historic Review Board who can help him and work with him as opposed to the previous board I had, with certain members who weren’t willing to budge on anything,” Murphy said. “Eventually, he’s got to get Planning Board approvals and he’s got to get Historic Review Board approvals.”