Pittsfield's Hotel on North envisioned as a blend of old and new

Photo Gallery | Construction tour of Hotel on North

PITTSFIELD >> The owners of a boutique hotel being built on North Street said on Thursday they hope to retain vintage features of the historic buildings while offering modern conveniences like a spa, gym and a restaurant.

During a guided tour of the four-story Hotel on North, they said restaurant is expected to open in March, followed by the rest of the facility in May. The $14 million project is about 35 percent complete.

"There's some real major work yet to come," said co-owner David Tierney III, referring to the installation of elevators, drywall and electrical work. "The major surprises are out of the way."

Tierney and his wife and business partner, Laurie, led a tour of the construction site on Thursday for local legislators, economic development leaders and Pittsfield Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi.

The Tierneys are currently renovating two buildings at 273-297 North St. to create a 45-room hotel, the first of its kind in Pittsfield. The structures, located in what was known as the "Burns Block" during the 1960s, are part of a downtown historic district.

"If we had to put a title on what our style is I'd say vintage industrial," Laurie Tierney said. "We're keeping the old brick walls and the floors as much as we can. As we go along we'll have some light fixtures that will be cool and funky and bring back the old industrial feel to it.

"If you had to add a theme to it, I'd say old meets the new," she said. "We're nodding to the past and looking forward to the future."

The building at 273 North St. was once occupied by the Besse-Clark men's clothing store, while 297 North St. was occupied by the E.P. Gowdy Co., which sold office supplies.

The ground floors of both structures were most recently occupied by two restaurants, Spice Dragon and Mad Jack's barbecue, both of which closed when construction began.

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Pittsfield's Hotel on North envisioned as a blend of old and new