A match made in historic preservation heaven.
Some thought it couldn’t be done. The long-vacant Alnwick Hall was a castle in dire need of a fairy tale ending. Enter Restoration Hardware—now known as RH, the trailblazing brand that transformed furniture shopping into a luxury hospitality experience. Based in California, RH required local expertise to guide local approvals, liquor licensure, and neighborhood engagement.
Topology, reporting directly to RH’s President/Chief Real Estate + Development Officer, guided the talented in-house team through concept development, project design, financial analysis, public relations, team procurement, and overall entitlement strategy. Despite numerous challenges, Topology and RH found success in late 2020. Our expertise helped RH through New Jersey’s redevelopment process, securing rezoning, a long-term tax abatement, liquor license, and a straightforward Redevelopment Agreement. Construction is planned to kick-off in 2021, ensuring this landmark will endure for centuries to come.
Learn more about The Abbey’s transformation at http://theabbeymorristown.com.
Type
Redevelopment Project
Role
Project Manager and Consulting Planner
Project Partners
RH, Developer and Client
Frank Vitolo, Redeveloper’s Counsel
Stonefield Engineering, Civil Engineer
Melillo + Bauer, Landscape Architect
Sawyer Berson, Architect + Landscape Architect
Public Benefits
Historic preservation
Economic development
Program
45,000 square feet furniture gallery with 164 seat restaurant/wine bar
Budget
$28 million
Status – Ongoing
Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Agreement: Adopted Fall 2020
Site Plan Application: Approved August 2022
