Colgate Inn to Undergo Major Renovation

For 85 years, the Colgate Inn has stood as the cornerstone of the Hamilton, NY, and Colgate University community. Recognizing the need for a truly top flight Inn which bridges the future of the University with its alumni, students and the Hamilton Community, the University has determined that a major renovation of the property is now required.

The renovation, which is scheduled to take place from mid-June 2010 through the spring of 2011, will significantly improve and update the facility while preserving the historic character of the building.  Over the years, the Inn’s public spaces have been improved, and this renovation is aimed at addressing the building’s infrastructure, guest rooms and food preparation facilities.  Scheduled to take place in stages, the Inn will continue to operate at various levels of service for lodging and dining over the coming months. As a result, the Inn will offer many upgrades and new amenities which will provide the community and visiting guests with first class hospitality.

Improvements to the Inn’s exterior will be focused on the corner of Madison and Payne Streets, where a new outdoor seating area will be connected to the Tap Room, which will be relocated to the space currently occupied by the dining room.  Parking will be expanded and the important pathways behind the Inn property will be preserved.  The kitchen facilities will be relocated and upgraded for more efficient service of the range of functions held at the Inn and all of the Inn’s guest rooms will be refinished.  Overall, the first floor will offer more capacity for banquets and meetings.

The existing structure of today’s Colgate Inn was originally built in 1925, replacing the Park House (also a hotel), which had stood on the same site for more than a century.  Privately owned for many years, the village landmark was saved from demolition in the mid-1970s when it was purchased by the Hamilton Downtown Inn, Inc. Ownership was eventually transferred to Colgate Inn LLC in 1973, which is owned by Colgate University.  Since then, Colgate University has continued to upgrade the facility through various upgrades and renovations over the years.  Learn more interesting facts about the history of the Colgate Inn.

Over the years, the Inn has been managed by individual innkeepers and, for the past dozen years or more, by various multinational management companies. Since the fall of 2004, the Inn has been operated by Bill and Ben Eberhardt, owners and operators of several central New York hospitality establishments, most notably the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, New York.