By Marion Filler
It took more than two years, but RH (originally known as Restoration Hardware) finally got the go-ahead to transform The Abbey, a gilded age mansion in Morris Township, into an upscale furniture showroom and restaurant.
The Morris Township Planning Board just needed to clear up a few lingering questions about traffic, signage, and parking on Monday. The site plan was approved by an 8 to 1 margin.
Among revisions presented by project Attorney Frank Vitolo, traffic engineer Matthew Seckler and landscape architect John Berson:
Two wine vaults and the wine bar have been eliminated, removing 44 seats from the dining area. Wine still will be served, but it won’t be tasted at the counter.
With the smaller dining area, the occupancy is reduced and only 153 parking spaces are required. However, the 175 spaces from the original plan will remain. So now, the project is “overparked.”
Also, former servants quarters in the rear of the Abbey, previously considered unstable and slated for removal, are going to stay after all. According to project Planner Phil Abramson, it will become “an open air ruin feature. I think this is really cool.” It keeps the Abbey footprint intact and will not impact parking.
Illumination on columns, posts, and pathways around the perimeter of the building and grounds will be predominantly landscape up-lighting. They will be dimmed to “security level” one hour after closing.
Township Planner Paul Phillips thought the number of RH logos was excessive, but after learning that lettering would measure about six inches and the actual mounting plaques no larger than 18 inches square, he agreed that they were discreet and he had no objections.
Committeewoman Cathy Wilson questioned plans for off-site valet parking. “I like the fact that you now have more parking than required, but it’s my experience that a lot of folks do not like valet parking and much prefer self parking.”
She was told the arrangement is flexible. Valet spots always will be available if needed, and self-parking can be increased if people prefer it.
There were only three calls from the public. Would the ball-shaped finials that sit atop the two sloped walls flanking the main entrance block the view from Madison Avenue? Were they too big? Were the walls too big as well?
Abramson said that his research confirmed that the finials were indeed appropriate to grand mansions of the era and the 15-foot long walls were proportional to the 426-foot long frontage of the property.
After seeing the proposed row of pleached lime trees embedded in a row of hedges, another caller wondered if it would be an adequate buffer between the Abbey and neighboring homes. How much space would be between the trees?
That prompted Mayor Jeff Grayzel to ask about their size and how long they take to grow. The answer was they will be mature trees with seven-inch calipers, as opposed to young saplings that are around 2.5 inches in diameter. The idea can be seen all over France and is considered any elegant way to create a screen.
Another caller asked if the intersection at Canfield Road was not realigned as planned, would it have any effect on traffic? The short answer was no, because most traffic will exit from the main entrance on Madison Avenue.
Board members weighed in before the final vote. “It’s a very well done plan. I can’t conceive of a better way right now to save what is there at the Abbey and build on that and return that bit of history to Morris Township,” said Richard Bye.
Joseph Alesso, the lone no vote, disagreed.
“It’s beautiful, but I think it’s too large for the location and I’m not convinced they have enough parking and I’m not convinced that it’s not going to create a traffic nightmare for people who live in this side of town.”
Chairman Edward Benoit was practical. “Once it stops being a novelty, it will be just like any other store.”
No one seemed happier than Vitolo. “This has been a multi-year process for us, and RH is so excited to get this started for the Township. I personally think this is going to be just a jewel, and congratulations to the Morris Township.”
Even better news for RH was the price of its stock, which hit an all-time high last week as it reported record earnings. The company promotes the concept of making shopping an “experience,” and may portend new hope for struggling retailers competing with the internet.
The RH formula has been a combination of dining and stunning architecture. The model has worked well in urban settings. Now RH is moving into affluent suburbs, mindfully low keyed yet loaded with luxe.
The company thinks the Abbey is a perfect fit.
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Morris Township planing board gives its blessing to Abbey transformation - Morristown Green
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