Restoration Hardware gets green light to transform the Abbey in Morris Township

Artist's rendering of proposed Restoration Hardware plan for the Abbey in Morris Township.
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By Marion Filler

The Abbey in Morris Township will get a new lease on life.

By a 4-1 vote, the Morris Township committee on Wednesday approved Restoration Hardwares proposal to preserve the Gilded Age mansion as a furniture showroom, with a new wing and restaurant.

“The likely alternative was condominiums,” Mayor Cathy Wilson said after the 90-minute virtual meeting, the third public hearing on a proposal that produced widely divergent views among residents. “Everybody’s comments and concerns were given thorough consideration,” Wilson said.

On Oct. 21, 2020, the committee hopes to introduce the redeveloper’s agreement–the document that memorializes all the details–with a public hearing and final vote anticipated in November. Then the planning board will review the site plan.

Known as Alnwick Hall when AT&T magnate Edward Meany built it in 1904, the Abbey was considered the gem of Millionaire’s Row on Madison Avenue. Over the years it has been a church, an office complex and, in 2017, a Mansion in May showcase for charity.

The Abbey in Morris Township.

But for the last decade or so the Abbey has remained mostly vacant, and in disrepair.  RH, an upscale California-based chain, aims to restore its grandeur. Listed on state and national historic registers, the Abbey is patterned after a British castle that served as a cinematic Hogwarts, Harry Potter’s fictional school.

Wednesday’s discussion got underway after changes were incorporated to increase the setback on Crescent Drive from 15 to 20 feet and to include the possibility of fencing or a wall in that same buffer zone.

Committeeman John Arvanites cast the lone dissenting vote.

“Once the addition is put on, the Abbey won’t be the Abbey anymore. Only two thirds of it will be saved,” he said.

“Madison Avenue could look like Route 10,” he said, calling “the whole process…a subterfuge.” Asserting the approval was predetermined, he asked: “If you lived in that neighborhood, would you want this in your backyard?”

Wilson strongly objected to Arvanites’ characterization.

“Your notion that this was pre-approved is just straight-up wrong. It’s just not true,” the mayor said.

Every other Committee member commended her for the extraordinary amount of time spent in community outreach. Wilson personally visited neighbors in the area to address their concerns.

The rest of the governing body thinks RH as redeveloper is a good thing for the Abbey.

“I feel comfortable that the Abbey will be in good hands,” said Committeeman Mark Gyorfy. “If not RH, who? If not now, then when will we have the opportunity again?”

Morris Township committee approves redevelopment of the Abbey, Sept. 23, 2020. Screen shot by Marion Filler

Committeeman Peter Mancuso, the lone Republic and senior member on the committee, cited “many sleepless nights” on the matter. He concluded “it’s not perfect, but the majority of problems and difficulties can be handled and I feel very, very strongly that the project should take place.”

Mancuso said three other developers currently looking at the property might have plans to replace the Abbey with something far more problematic.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel called this a “unique opportunity to preserve a historic structure, and RH has the experience and willingness and means to do that.”

He noted RH’s willingness to work with the residents during construction, describing the company’s offer to construct a buffer in the first stage of the project and putting that, along with other considerations, in writing.

Wilson, Jeff Grayzel, Township Administrator Tim Quinn, Township Planner Paul Phillips, and Township Attorney Scott Carlson attended Thursday’s meeting at town hall. Arvanites, Mancuso, and Gyorfy participated remotely. Forty-eight people watched online.

Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

MORE ABOUT THE ABBEY

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3 COMMENTS

  1. That was my Lutheran Church back in the mid sixties under Pastor Ritter .
    I was also confirmed there in 1967 .
    Not to mention I was married there in 1974 .
    We also in the mid sixties used the cellar for band practice with our Little Rock n Roll band .
    Lots of memories for me and my family and friends.
    My only wish and hope would be that this building and property would be preserved and considered a Morris County treasure.

  2. I have no doubt the Abbey will be an aspirational destination. Those brides that can afford it may choose other venues. Those that cannot afford it will not be booking their wedding there.
    So, clearly every bride will not book their wedding there ” because of such “.
    The notion that the words The Abbey may be written within the greenery on the building is a figment of Mr. Roth’s fertile imagination. He seems to delight in telling fairy tales at a time when the United States is facing numerous crises. Hopes and dreams are alive in all of us. Mr. Roth’s touting The Abbey is pathetic.
    And why does he need to capitalize ” Wedding ” ? How much money does the wedding need to cost in order for it to be capitalized ? $ 50,000, $ 75,000, $ 100,000 ? Shall I keep going ?
    Mr. Roth, wake up, get real and come down to earth.

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