New transplant renovates Lake Rabun Hotel

By SANDI TATUM Staff Writer, Published: Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:28 AM EDT

Gwen North came to Rabun County from Delaware about three months ago, bought the historic Lake Rabun Hotel and began renovations immediately.

Gwen North took on the project of renovating historic Lake Rabun Hotel about eight weeks ago.

Instead of taking what she expected to take five or six months, the hotel, which was built in 1922, reopened in time for the Fourth of July weekend. North is in the process of finishing the landscaping and reupholstering furniture.

According to her, the hotel looks good as new, while still keeping it's historic integrity and lodge feel.

"All we have been doing is keeping the integrity," she said. "We have been careful not to change the overall appearance too much."

August Andrea came to Rabun County from Germany and built Lake Rabun Hotel in 1922. After Andrea died in 1943, the hotel had at least four owners before North took over. North said it was about to fall down when she purchased it this past spring.

North came to Rabun County from Delaware, where she owned an antique shop and renovated other historic buildings. After seeing Lake Rabun Hotel for 15 minutes, she knew she wanted to buy and renovate it.

The fast-paced renovations are a credit to the workers, contractors and landscapers. North said hammers were going by 7 a.m. six days a week.

"I had the right people working for me, and I got my vision," she said. As the hotel neared completion, she said it is was what she envisioned it would be.

Wayne McDonald, stone mason for the project, has worked in the renovation business for over 20 years. He said he was impressed by the process and outcome of the project.

"It was really easy to get into the spirit of it," McDonald said. "Nobody got in anyone's way, and it was a smooth operation."

To keep the historic integrity of the hotel, North kept half of the original furniture in the hotel. The rest of the furniture came from her former antiques store. The furniture she brought in has the same lodge feel of the original pieces.

North said her main goal was to make sure all the woodwork and artwork had Georgia roots. Wood added to the hotel is made of poplar and cedar, and artwork displayed around the hotel was created by Rabun County artists.

"There is a treasure chest of crafters in this county," North said. "You just have to find them."

When the renovations began on the exterior in May, workers faced a five-week deadline. They fixed the chimney, added outdoor steps and balconies, did the framework for the third floor, built a fountain and completed countless other projects.

Andrew Hunt Construction was among the contractors that worked on the project.

"We accomplished all of our goals" said Andrew Hunt, general contractor. "There are no large projects left, just finalizing what we started."

Three of the hotel rooms are premier rooms: the Andrea Room, named after the original builder; the Garden Room, the only room with a balcony; and the Waterfall Room, which looks over the new waterfall at the hotel. Five more rooms are available as well. Prices range from $179 to $209 a night.

With the price for the night, visitors get breakfast and a variety of snacks throughout the day. In the second-floor lobby, a buffet table offers unlimited cookies, coffee, fruit and beverages for visitors.

Amenities added to the old rustic lodge include central air and heat. Although the hotel is open to the public, a few projects remain. North said the final steps would not affect visitors.

A cottage that was built about the same time as the hotel also is being renovated. North said she would live there when it is completed.

A third floor also was added to the hotel during construction, but it has not been fully decorated.

With only a few minor changes left, North opened the hotel June 20. Eight rooms are currently available. By next year, 13 rooms will be available.

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