New England Construction Completes $20 Million Historic Restoration of Weekapaug Inn

WEEKAPAUG, RI – (October 10, 2012) The Weekapaug Inn, sister property to the Ocean House, has officially opened to the awe of its first guests after a $20 million historic restoration.    New England Construction served as construction manager, restoring the Inn to incorporate many updated features, while preserving the character and historic charm of the original structure.

After much of the original Inn (constructed in 1899) and coastline was decimated in the Hurricane of 1938, the Buffum family rebuilt the Inn in a new location, which opened in 1939.  The   Inn was open for 108 years until it closed in 2007 for renovations.  In April 2010, Charles Royce and Langdon Wheeler, principals of Weekapaug Inn & Cottages LLC, purchased the Inn from James and Dee Dee Buffum, fourth-generation operators of the property.  The Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and adhered to many strict standards to maintain this prestigious classification. Inspectors from the RI Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission marked and recorded original construction and furnishings. The footprint of the existing 1939 structure is the same and approximately 20-percent of the existing structure was utilized. The exterior of the Inn still boasts a classic, shingle-style exterior coupled with red-cedar shingled walls with dark trim and wide porches.

The Inn offers sweeping views of Block Island Sound, Quonochontaug Pond and lush gardens from its 27 guest rooms and four two-bedroom signature suites.  Each of the impeccably appointed guest rooms features a unique color palette and a fresh use of existing Inn furnishings, while incorporating luxurious amenities including private bathrooms with radiant heated marble floors, heated towel racks and deep soaking tubs. The four signature suites include a spacious sitting area, full kitchen, dining room, two-bedrooms, a study with a fireplace, as well as a private elevator and entrance. The two main dining areas incorporate hardwood maple floors from the original Inn and the main reception area features hand-painted murals of the natural landscape of Quonochontaug Pond, wild life and the like.

The Inn now has a private waste treatment facility to properly handle sanitary sewer requirements in this environmentally sensitive environment. The new three-lane, 25-yard lap pool is heated from the geothermal wells on site and is adjacent to the Fenway Cottage which houses the fitness center, exercise room and three guest rooms on the second floor   While performing work on the foundation, several boulders were unearthed and were subsequently utilized to construct a new amphitheater adjacent to the outdoor fireplace.  A newly constructed beach house encompasses showers, changing areas and a restaurant. Guests of the Inn, as well as Weekapaug residents can enjoy access to Weekapaug and Ocean House beach.

“When you have an opportunity to be a part of a project of this magnitude, there is a great sense of responsibility to protect and preserve the history of the building, while taking every opportunity to incorporate modern systems and amenities expected in a high quality seaside resort,” notes John D. Pignataro, New England Construction’s President & COO. “Bringing this Inn back to life required a great vision, a creative design team and the best subcontractors, suppliers and vendors this region has to offer.  It has been a privilege and a pleasure to part of a team who transformed this spectacular Inn; returning a century-old treasure and tradition to the village of Weekapaug and the Rhode Island shore.” 

About New England Construction:      

_{New England Construction is a family owned and operated construction services organization founded in 1985.   New NEC offers comprehensive construction services and solutions to clients throughout New England in the following industries: automotive dealers, retail, multi-unit residential, healthcare, commercial/industrial, education and institutional.  NEC is based in Rumford, RI with offices located in Fall River, MA and Newton, MA.}   www.neconstruction.com

For more information about the Inn and special packages:   www.weekapauginn.com

Photos Attached Courtesy of Chip Riegel Photographer

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