The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tall Oaks Carriage House Inn plan approved
Another piece of the Tall Oaks event complex in Kirtland is falling into place.
The Kirtland Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 9 approved plans for the 5,000-square-foot Carriage House Inn, to go up adjacent to the 11,000-squarefoot event barn under way at 9199 Chillicothe Road.
“This will be Kirtland’s first hotel,” said local businessman and property owner Tom Christopher. “It will feature 13 deluxe suites; a warm, inviting office and reception area; a large gathering room; a hospitality kitchen, a ‘lady lounge’ and ‘man cave’ for guests; (and) a boutiquestyle inn situated on 14 picturesque acres overlooking Kirtland’s valley, including 14 beautiful tall oaks, which range in age from 150 to 225 years old.”
Permitting and construction will commence immediately with the first guests anticipated at the inn by mid-2021, he added. The barn is now set to open Feb. 1.
To date, Tall Oaks has 51 weddings contracted and many more in the pipeline, he said, noting that the complex has attracted couples from surrounding states.
He estimated that the facility will generate $7 million to $10 million of direct business annually with another $4 million to $7 million for local businesses.
“Tall Oaks has a ‘Kirtland First’ policy utilizing Kirtland businesses first, whenever possible,” he said. “It will create 20 to 25 new jobs and contribute substantial payroll, property and bed taxes to Kirtland City and schools. It will also provide Kirtland visitors a fantastic lodging option to keep their tourism dollars local.”
The commission also approved a slope stabilization plan for land along the stream behind the property.
“The engineering report stated our hillside is currently very stable and poses no threats to the Tall Oaks Complex or adjacent CEI power tower,” Christopher said. “However, we are going to have it reinforced out of precaution for our investment. Always best to be double safe.”
Ground was broken for the complex in March. The 14-acre site is to include five ceremonial settings, including a covered bridge, a grand staircase inside the building, a second-story loft on the outside porch, back porch and pier overlooking the Kirtland valley, and a gazebo with a valley view.
The 300-plus-capacity barn was crafted in Connecticut in the mortise and tenon style. A 200-person wedding could range from $10,000 to $40,000, Christopher has said.
He previously indicated that the property would be open to the public for holiday events, such as a planned New Year’s Eve “hoedown,” and brunches on Easter and Mother’s Day. It also will be available for corporate events, such as business meetings and Christmas parties.
Access is planned from Route 306 via an easement in the Dollar General shopping center parking lot. A waterline connection is still in the works.