Hotel Approved For Freemark Abbey Winery, Saint Helena

Plans for a new hotel complex at Freemark Abbey Winery in Saint Helena, Napa County, have been approved. The project, dubbed the Inn At The Abbey, will bring a 79-room hotel to the historic vineyard north of the city center along St. Helena Highway. Jackson Family Investments is responsible for the application.

Freemark Inn at the Abbey pedestrian view, rendering by 10 Design

Freemark Inn at the Abbey site plan, illustration by 10 Design

Demolition will be required for three existing structures. The existing Stone Building on the northern parcel, built between 1899 and 1908 and known as the Lombarda Cellar on its facade, will remain largely unchanged, except for minor interior renovations.

Construction will produce approximately 78,500 square feet of new development across two parcels. The north parcel will include a four-story North Hotel building with 50 rooms, a spa, retail operations, a rooftop terrace, and public areas. The South Parcel will include the main hotel building with 29 rooms, a single-story fitness center, two separate two-story bungalows, and a Barn.

Freemark Inn at the Abbey South Building aerial overview, rendering by 10 Design

Public-facing improvements to the site include enhancements to the existing Vine Trail crossing, an on-site private fire truck, and the provision of on-site affordable housing. Six existing market-rate apartments on the southern parcel will be renovated and turned into deed-restricted affordable housing for employees of the winery.

Plans to bring a hotel to the 3.6-acre parcel date back to 1966, with approved use permits for a motel, two restaurants, a brewery, retail, a winery, and a tasting room, among other uses. The proposal is designed to use 20% less water than historically allowed, add no traffic signals to Highway 29 or Lodi Lane, and include 198 parking spaces. 10 Design, previously known as SB Architects, is responsible for the design.

Freemark Winery Lombarda Cellar, image via Google Street View

The project seeks to achieve at least LEED Gold Certification by incorporating water conservation, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, converting paved asphalt parking spaces to permeable surfacing, and preserving open space and agricultural land.

Construction is expected to last around three years from groundbreaking to completion.

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