Historic Recreation at The Hopewell Inn

On the corner of Seminary Avenue, The Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn site has long held a prominent place in the community. Known historically as the Central Hotel, the building carried nearly 150 years of history as a residence, general store, bar, restaurant and lodging house before being demolished in July 2022. 

The new Hopewell Inn represents a historically sensitive ground-up recreation—designed to honor the architectural character of the original structure while meeting modern performance standards. Given the building’s legacy and visibility in the community, product selection required historically accurate detailing without compromise. Pella Reserve Traditional windows were chosen to deliver that level of authenticity.

When rebuilding a landmark, proportion and detailing matter. The project incorporated Pella Reserve Traditional double-hung windows featuring through-stile construction, authentic profiles and historic putty-glaze detailing. 

The Reserve Traditional line is engineered specifically for projects where architectural integrity is non-negotiable. With ogee sash profiles, simulated divided light grilles and traditional hardware, the windows replicate the appearance of historic wood units while benefiting from modern manufacturing precision. White EnduraClad® aluminum exteriors paired with bright white painted pine interiors maintain a clean, traditional façade while offering long-term durability in a high-visibility commercial environment. 

The addition of aluminum brickmould further reinforces the historically accurate exterior trim profile expected in a building of this era.

While the visual objective was historic recreation, performance requirements reflect contemporary commercial standards. The installed units achieved Performance Class CW with PG 50 ratings, providing structural integrity suitable for commercial applications. 

Insulated dual glazing configurations support thermal performance and occupant comfort throughout the inn’s guest rooms and public spaces. 

Acoustic performance values (STC 29 / OITC 24) help mitigate street noise from the corner location, enhancing the guest experience.

Select units were configured to meet typical ground-floor egress requirements, demonstrating the flexibility of Reserve Traditional in balancing historic aesthetics with current life-safety expectations.

Pella Reserve Traditional windows are built for architectural historians who refuse to settle for approximations. Key features incorporated into this project include: 

• Through-stile construction for authentic sash joinery 
• Historic putty-glaze profiles with ogee detailing 
• Simulated divided light grille patterns with traditional proportions 
• Cam-action locking hardware in white to complement the classic interior finish

Although the original structure no longer stands, the recreated Hopewell Inn restores a familiar architectural presence to East Broad Street. The building now reflects the proportions and detailing that defined the historic Central Hotel, while delivering modern structural performance and energy efficiency. 

For architects, contractors and commercial builders, this project demonstrates how the right new construction windows can support historically accurate buildings. By pairing uncompromised detailing with commercial-grade performance ratings, the new windows bridge the gap between preservation standards and modern code requirements. 

The result is a hospitality property that honors nearly a century and a half of local history—while standing ready for decades of future use.