Historic Weyanoke Building to be Converted to Hotel

By Crystal Vandegrift

FARMVILLE – Farmville’s Historic Hotel Weyanoke will soon be getting a new look.

During last week’s Farmville Town Council meeting, co-owner Ross Fickenscher told members the building will be converted back to a hotel. “As recently speculated, we have decided to change the use of the property,” he said. “Our anticipated project is to convert the property back to a hotel.”

According to Fickenscher, once completed, they will offer a 70-room upscale hotel with a restaurant, conference room and banquet facilities.

The project, which is being managed by the same company that manages the  Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg, is set to have a similar look and feel.

Just across the street from Longwood’s campus, the hotel, built in 1925, currently houses students of Longwood on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.

According to Fickenscher, tenants are leasing apartments through May 2016. “We will not be renewing those leases,” he explained. Construction is set to begin next summer with completion marked for summer 2017.

In addition to the current apartments in the Weyanoke building, there are two restaurants. Bar 202 is one of those restaurants. Councilwoman Sally Thompson asked Fickenscher if there would be something similar to Bar 202 for students. “I prefer not to speak to that at this present time,” replied Fickenscher

Several plans for the building include a new look out front.

“Part of our plan is to put a half-circle drive in the front of the property. The historic brickwork will remain in its majority, the stairs will remain, but it will be very opportunistic for the guests to pull up and drop their bags and drop their car and have valet service to the parking location,” said Fickenscher.

The owners of the Weyanoke building are looking to lease 60 spaces for $30 a month from the town’s municipal lot to use for valet parking.

“We congratulate you and are glad that you are looking to revamp the property,” Mayor Whitus told Fickenscher.