Extra story approved for DoubleTree by Hilton hotel

The Poughkeepsie Planning Board has given unanimous approval to a plan to add an 11th story to the 10-story DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at 40 Civic Center Plaza in the city’s downtown. The new story would contain a rooftop bar. There would be rooftop patios for outdoor dining and enjoying libations during warm weather.

“We believe this project will bring significant benefits to the community, enhancing both the local economy and the vibrancy of the area,” Jim Hutchinson, general manager of the DoubleTree By Hilton Poughkeepsie said. “The proposed rooftop bar aims to offer a unique dining and social experience, providing stunning views of the Hudson River and the surrounding landscape. Our design incorporates modern architectural elements while ensuring the space remains in harmony with the existing structure and the local aesthetic.”

Hutchinson said that the new bar would serve as a premier destination for both hotel guests and local residents while offering a distinctive venue for dining, socializing, and events. He said that in addition to creating jobs during the construction there would be additional jobs created through its ongoing operations.

“We plan to work closely with local businesses and organizations to ensure the rooftop bar serves as a community hub,” Hutchinson said. “This includes hosting events, partnering with local vendors, and supporting community initiatives.”

As conditions of its approving the project the Planning Board required that the applicant coordinate with the city’s fire department to ensure that the sprinkler system meets all requirements. It also called on DoubleTree to prepare a lighting plan that it follows suggestions by the Dutchess County Planning Department regarding controlling the spillage and glare of lighting at night to ensure the lighting is “dark sky compliant.”

At 10 stories the hotel is the tallest building in Poughkeepsie’s downtown. It formerly was known as the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. Early in 2022 the hotel was sold to Visions Hotels LLC Visions Hotels LLC, based in Corning, New York, which at the time operated 49 hotels in New York state along with properties in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. It was reported that Visions purchased the hotel for approximately $9.5 million from Bonura and DiBrizzi Enterprises.

At the time of the sale, Visions said that it would be investing approximately $7 million in improvements to the hotel and would be rebranding it as a Double Tree by Hilton. The 195-room hotel was built in 1987 and opened under the Radisson brand.