CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Historic District Review Board approved a proposal to expand the existing Betis building at 7 Strawberry Street. The applicant, David Gammino of Cape Charles Ventures LLC (Cape Charles Hotel), plans to add two additional stories to the one-story structure, transforming it into a three-story building that will house additional hotel rooms, a conference center, and public amenities.
The approval process was not entirely straightforward. Members of the board had issues with several aspects of the proposal, including the scale and modern, boutique design–members felt it did fit in with the historical character of the existing neighborhood, and much like Emperor Joseph in the film Amadeus, the design just had too many notes. After close to an hour of give and take, a compromise was achieved and the Certificate of Appropriateness was approved with the following modifications: Wood balustrades on balcony will be changed to metal, and a new door height of 7’ will be implemented. The modifications will remove the aprons on the balconies and alter the transoms to 18 inches. A full brick facade will be required.
Mr. Gammino is planning to acquire shared parking arrangements for hotel guests and visitors. The hotel will be required to have 12 spaces, one space for each room–10 for the hotel rooms and 2 for visitors. A Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued until the parking arrangement has been resolved.
A shared parking agreement is a contract between two or more parties that agree to share a parking area for a pre-determined amount of time. An agreement to lease private property is one example.
The height of the structure will be 40 feet, which is the maximum height allowed in the historic district. The Wilson building, which is next to the new structure, is the tallest in the historic district – 50 feet.
Note: Some window views in the Wilson Building, while still functional, will have their view obstructed by the new structure.
The proposed expansion will add approximately 5,040 square feet to the building, bringing the total gross floor area to 7,920 square feet. The addition includes 10 rooms, and four front-facing balconies and will connect to the main Hotel Cape Charles building through a rear exterior courtyard. The project is designed to blend with the historic character of the area while introducing modern elements.
Mr. Gammino noted that this will be a boutique hotel, similar to the Hotel Cape Charles, designed to attract the right type of demographic from areas such as New York and Washington DC.
The Historic District Review Board, responsible for ensuring new developments adhere to the town’s Historic District Overlay Design Guidelines, evaluated whether the materials and architectural style of the proposed expansion are in keeping with the neighborhood’s historic appearance.
With the approval, construction must begin within six months, or the certificate will expire.
For more information, residents can contact the Planning & Zoning Department at 757-331-3259.
The “right type of demographic?” what on earth?!?!?
What is the “right type of demographic from areas such as New York and Washington DC”?
Editor’s Note: The wording may be a bit unfortunate, but we believe Mr. Gammino meant that his approach is boutique and very upscale, meant to attract visitors that want and enjoy that type of aesthetic, which are mostly urban, wealthy individuals. That has been the model for the Cape Charles Hotel, and it is working well.
We need MORE “come heres” but only with lots of $$$$!
You Know
The last place I resided used that same language ( Come Heres ) .
THEY are gone now .
Disappointing that only 3 residents of Wilson building spoke about losing the light and view being blocked by this addition. Where was support from their neighbors in Wilson building? Also, Mr Gamino mentioned how important it was to have light in these expensive hotel rooms, yet no one asked why there is only one window, in a stairwell, on the wall facing Randolph. Mr Gamino made an “under his breath” comment about that would “open a can of worms,” yet no one one HDRB asked about that. Seems that Mr Gamino’s track record is to do what he wants and ask forgiveness later. He was not required to change the glass on current hotel balconies, remove a hotel addition that sits in the alley, bought and converted a residential lot on Randolph to a parking lot for golf carts, etc. Does anyone think for one minute that he will be denied occupancy once this project is completed, if he has not provided the requisite parking spaces? HDRB missed an opportunity to ask some important questions that might make this addition a better fit for historic district, because planning commission and town council will give it two thumbs up,
Exactly. It doesn’t fit the Historic district. It’s hideous and blocks the view and light from the current residences. It looks like a shipping container someone turned into a residence.
By way of correction: Wood balustrades on balcony will be changed to metal, and a new door height of 7’ will be implemented. The modifications will remove the aprons on the balconies and alter the transoms to 18 inches. A full brick facade will be required. There will be a total of 10 rooms.
Note: Thanks for the update. Will make corrections to the article.
So….exactly what is the ‘right demographic’ that this hotel is designed to attract?
Most likely gays, kneegrows and dogs. They seem to be all that you see on tv commercials these days.
Then again Cape Charles was listed as a Gay Wedding Destination…