The Inn at Warner Hall in Gloucester has been sold to BluWater Group, an Orlando, Florida-based private equity firm that specializes in acquiring and enhancing distinctive properties in the maritime, aviation, and luxury real estate sectors.
Founded in 1642 by George Washington’s great-great-grandfather Augustine Warner I as part of an original 600-acre land grant, the former Warner Hall Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1999 it was purchased by Troy and Theresa Stavens, restored, and turned into an 11-room inn and event center situated on 38 acres along the Severn River.
Blake Plumley, CEO of BluWater Group, said that his company is working with the Stavenses on “telling the story of Warner Hall,” and that BluWater Group plans on managing the property and remaining its caretakers “for a very long time.”
“I was amazed when I first visited the Inn at Warner Hall,” said Plumley. “It’s a magnificent place. The history of the property is an important part of American history, and the grounds and inn are just incredible.”
Plumley said that BluWater Group specializes in “unique investments that go beyond a transaction, by creating inspired journeys with purpose and sophistication.”
“The Inn at Warner Hall is a perfect addition to our portfolio,” he said, “and we are excited to be the new custodians of the history and the future of this storied destination.”
The inn will close on Jan. 4 and will remain closed until March 2025 for “a little upgrading” and “a bit of a refresh,” said Plumley.
Bryan Guillot, CEO of Thomas Lee Group, which will be managing the property, said that, after 25 years, some of the bathrooms need redoing, some guest rooms need new paint or wallpaper, and carpets need to be replaced here and there. In addition, the restaurant will get a makeover, with outdoor seating added to accommodate both guests and the general public, and new artwork will be brought in.
“Troy and Theresa have done an amazing job of keeping the property in great shape,” he said. “You won’t see major changes.”
“We’re doing what we need to do to refresh, revitalize, and lead Warner Hall to being state-of-the-art but timeless,” added Plumley, “a place everyone in Gloucester can be proud of.”
Additions to the property will include a milelong hiking and biking trail; activation of the boathouse, with a pontoon boat added to the dock for sunset wine tours; and an herb garden. High-speed fiber broadband has already been installed.
BluWater Group has a number of hospitality investments, mostly located in the Caribbean, said Plumley, but it has also taken on a number of historic properties in Virginia, New England, and the western U.S.
“We like having something that has history, a story to tell,” he said. “Everything is about telling a story, from the design to the amenities. And there’s not a much more relevant story to America than the story of Warner Hall.”
NOTE: Edited to reflect the correct spelling of Bryan Guillot’s name, as well as his position as CEO of Thomas Lee Group.