Hutton Brickyards
The Hudson Valley region may look bucolic, but in its late 19th and early 20th century heyday, it was a bustling industrial center, responsible for creating the millions of bricks that built New York City, and other major metropolises. In fact, for a few decades, this was the biggest brick producing region on the planet.
When steel and glass skyscrapers became popular, however, the industry fell on tough times, and most of the former factories were bulldozed out of existence.
Except for this one.
The Hutton Brickyards was the last in the region to close, and so the most likely to be preserved. That it would become an eccentrically elegant resort, though, nobody would have predicted.
But the visionary developers saw beauty in the rusting industrial hulks and crumbling brick ruins (see above), and preserved some just for viewing, others as event space, adding a breezy, wall-free but covered restaurant, and over a dozen guest cabins.
The latter look like they could have been employee housing back in the day, but were in fact custom built with a mix of modern and old-timey touches (a glass wall on one side overlooking the Hudson; beadboard panneling; a working record player with a curated collection of vinyl to spin). Though small, they have a number of luxurious touches, like high quality mattresses and bedding; and Malin+Goetz bath products. Each comes equipped with a yellow flag, emblazoned with the word "Thirsty". In the late afternoon hours, guests are encouraged to raise the flag so that a roving cocktail cart will stop, and they can order whatever they want. They can then take their cocktails, wine or beer to their porches and watch the Hudson River gently gliding by.
Because bricks were shipped down the river of freighters, Hutton Brickyards has a waterfront setting—a real rarity in these parts, since rail tracks were built next to the river in most areas.
Many will visit just for the location, which is right off the Empire State Trail, so primo for cycling, hiking, and, in winter, cross country skiing. A variety of summer-camp like games (archery, croquet, paddleboard), an outdoor gym, a spa and an excellent restaurant round out the lures here.
The Hudson Valley region may look bucolic, but in its late 19th and early 20th century heyday, it was a bustling industrial center, responsible for creating the millions of bricks that built New York City, and other major metropolises. In fact, for a few decades, this was the biggest brick producing region on the planet.
When steel and glass skyscrapers became popular, however, the industry fell on tough times, and most of the former factories were bulldozed out of existence.
Except for this one.
The Hutton Brickyards was the last in the region to close, and so the most likely to be preserved. That it would become an eccentrically elegant resort, though, nobody would have predicted.
But the visionary developers saw beauty in the rusting industrial hulks and crumbling brick ruins (see above), and preserved some just for viewing, others as event space, adding a breezy, wall-free but covered restaurant, and over a dozen guest cabins.
The latter look like they could have been employee housing back in the day, but were in fact custom built with a mix of modern and old-timey touches (a glass wall on one side overlooking the Hudson; beadboard panneling; a working record player with a curated collection of vinyl to spin). Though small, they have a number of luxurious touches, like high quality mattresses and bedding; and Malin+Goetz bath products. Each comes equipped with a yellow flag, emblazoned with the word "Thirsty". In the late afternoon hours, guests are encouraged to raise the flag so that a roving cocktail cart will stop, and they can order whatever they want. They can then take their cocktails, wine or beer to their porches and watch the Hudson River gently gliding by.
Because bricks were shipped down the river of freighters, Hutton Brickyards has a waterfront setting—a real rarity in these parts, since rail tracks were built next to the river in most areas.
Many will visit just for the location, which is right off the Empire State Trail, so primo for cycling, hiking, and, in winter, cross country skiing. A variety of summer-camp like games (archery, croquet, paddleboard), an outdoor gym, a spa and an excellent restaurant round out the lures here.
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