Construction has begun this week on the historic Monadnock Mill #2 & #6, one of four mill buildings that will be redeveloped in downtown. The building is the future home of several new businesses to the city. Red River Computer Co. will move its corporate headquarters as part of the project, and the Common Man Inn will occupy the lower floors with a new 36 room Inn on the Sugar River. The Common Man Restaurant will simultaneously open in the Woven Label building, an abutting mill. Two other floors will be developed into class A office space and will be available for lease by John Illick of Sugar River Mills Redevelopment LLC.
ReArch Co. LLC will serve as the construction manager of the project, with president Bert DeLaBruere taking the lead. Ross Currier of Conneston Construction, Inc., will provide construction management for the Common Man Inn and Restaurant. Because of the importance of the historic fabric of the building, subcontractors involved in the lead paint removal, frame restoration and masonry will have significant involvement in the renovation. Monadnock Mill #2 was built in 1853 and was originally used for weaving and spinning cotton and linen textiles. Mill #6 was constructed in 1915 and is connected to Mill #2 on all floors. Mill #2 & #6 has received certification as a national historic building, and will be renovated in accordance with preservation standards established by the National Park Service. Architects involved in the project include Chris Kennedy and Doug Sonsalla from UK Architects in Hanover and Karollina Jablonska-Burtt of The Architectural Studio in Enfield.
Alex Ray and Rusty McLear, whose partnership forms the hospitality use in the project, feel that the Common Man Inn will satisfy a need in Claremont and provide a special experience. "Our studies indicated that the community could use more guest rooms to meet the needs of visitors and tourists in the area. The Common Man Inn rooms, which will be located on the lower two levels of the Mill on the Sugar River, will make the Inn an interesting and unique destination." According to Alex Ray, "We are pleased to be coming to Claremont and also look forward to the renovation of the neighboring Woven Label Mill as a new addition to the Common Man Restaurant family. Both buildings will be completed at the same time and will provide a full hospitality package in an historic urban neighborhood."
For city manager Guy Santagate construction signals the end to a long pre-construction process and the beginning of new life for the city. "Claremont only moves forward now, and we will never forget the confidence that this business team has placed in us. We welcome John Illick, Red River Computer Co. and the Common Man Restaurant and Inn, and thank them for becoming an integral part of our vision for the future of the City."
An official mill renewal celebration took place on May 28th.