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Public hearing set for hotel renovations

This rendering of exterior upgrades to the current Hotel North Woods was provided in planning documents submitted to the Lake Placid-North Elba Joint Review Board. (Provided photo — Lake Placid Hotel Partners LLC)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid-North Elba Joint Review Board is set to hear public comments Wednesday on an exterior renovation of the historic Hotel North Woods.

The 1920s-era hotel is undergoing renovations intended to bring back its original look, when it was called the Hotel Marcy. When it’s complete, it will be renamed the Great Adirondack Hotel.

Lake Placid Hotel Partners LLC, the owners of the property, have asked the review board for permission to install a new faux brick facade, north-side elevator and new energy-efficient windows, and reconfigure the main entry portico. They’ve also asked to use a portion of the rooftop as an event space. The rooftop will have space for upward of 134 people, according to planning documents. There’s expected to be a permanent enclosed bar with some seating, but the event space will be used seasonally, from June 15 to Columbus Day weekend, noon to 10 p.m. People will have the ability to rent out the space for weddings and other gatherings. There will be background music and some live performances there during operating hours, according to planning documents.

The new Great Adirondack Hotel will be operated under the Marriott Tribute brand.

The planned new exterior, shown in planning documents, appears to be white with black awnings and a black portico in the lower third of the building. The upper part of the building appears to be faux brick with white accents.

The Hotel North Woods on Main Street, Lake Placid, is seen in September. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)

In addition to the exterior upgrades, the owners are also planning to install a new sprinkler system and expand its hillside rooms to include balconies.

They also might build a new parking structure with space for 100 vehicles, according to the project application.

The Smith Family, of Northwoods Inn LLC, sold the hotel to Lake Placid Hotel Partners LLC in 2018. The Hotel Marcy opened its doors for the first time on July 6, 1927. Despite the hotel changing hands a few times, enduring a fatal fire that destroyed its left wing in 1966 and being renamed a few times, it has been a Main Street mainstay for more than 93 years.

The public hearing is on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The hearing will be held virtually, over teleconferencing software GoToMeeting, at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/646460085. A link to the virtual meeting is also on the town of North Elba website, under the Review Board tab.

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