Listen to this articleSince acquiring the historic Grand Summit Hotel last year, Landmark Hospitality has embarked on a plan to revitalize and refresh the 156-year-old boutique hotel in Summit.
After completing the first phase of renovations, the Plainfield-based group is preparing to relaunch the downtown building as “The Albion Summit.”
In addition to 100 guest rooms and a carefully curated selection of amenities – including a critically acclaimed restaurant, co-working spaces and state-of-the-art event spaces – Albion Summit is also home to a school dedicated to promoting professional growth in the hospitality industry.
Frank Cretella, director and co-owner of Landmark Hospitality, described it as “more than a hotel.”
“It’s a tribute to history with a modern twist. We’ve carefully restored the building’s original charm while introducing innovative features to create a space that meets the needs of today’s travelers and residents,” he said.
The scope of work included modernizations of the lobby and special events hall as well as the creation of a co-working area with a self-service coffee bar and two private, bookable conference rooms.
On the menu
The culinary offering is dominated by Felina Restaurant, a Landmark-owned establishment that serves upscale Italian home cooking.
Other on-site amenities include an amphitheater-style movie theater with a concession stand providing entertainment, a whiskey lounge with cigar and liquor cabinet, and a private wine cellar dining room.
The second phase additions require:
- A longevity spa for relaxation and wellness
- A Japanese listening room suite and a sushi restaurant
- Recording and podcast suites
In addition, Landmark will transform 43 hotel rooms with exterior corridors into an 836-square-meter space with nine-meter-high vaulted ceilings, ideal for hosting events, meetings and community gatherings.
Supported by the community
In addition, Albion Summit offers programs, activities and experiences for different age groups, from cocktail mixing and cooking classes to a state-of-the-art wellness program.
The site will also house Landmark’s third school, which will focus on workforce development in the industry. The program, run by the nonprofit Art of Hospitality Workers Alliance, aims to provide critical resources and career opportunities.
Landmark has also launched a work integration program that works with schools to enable adults with autism to come to one of its restaurants and learn basic restaurant skills, such as polishing cutlery, chopping vegetables and folding napkins. The goal of the initiative is to help participants hone their skills so they can get a job in the restaurant industry.
A great story
Located in downtown Summit, the original Grand Summit Hotel originally served as an oasis for New York’s elite seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Over the years, it evolved into a destination for some of the region’s most prominent politicians and celebrities.
In 2019, the independent hotel celebrated the completion of a multi-million dollar renovation that, according to the operators, “preserved the best of the hotel’s history while bringing it into the 21st century in terms of technology and amenities.”
Landmark Hospitality was founded in 2001 by husband and wife team Frank and Jeanne Cretella and specializes in the adaptation of listed or historic buildings. The group’s portfolio of over 16 buildings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania includes the Village Hall in South Orange, the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station and the Liberty House in Jersey City.
According to Landmark, Albion Summit will be the first hotel in the newly formed Albion Hotels collection. Additional projects have not been announced, but the company said future hotels “promise to uphold Landmark Hospitality’s legacy of excellence, offering boutique accommodations, event venues, unique culinary experiences and more.”
