Empire Hotel Developer Details Business Leaders and Progress - Salisbury Post

Empire Hotel developer details progress with business leaders

Released at 12:00 am on Sunday, October 23, 2022

SALISBURY — More than 120 business leaders attended the Rowan Chamber of Commerce’s Power In Partnership breakfast on Thursday morning to hear Josh Barnhart and Brett Krueger discuss the redevelopment of the Empire Hotel. The event was held at Trinity Oaks and was sponsored by Rowan Cavallas Community College.

“The feedback we got from their presentation was great,” said Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Spalding. “The Empire Hotel was featured in our recent historic Salisbury Homes tour, where he completely renovated one of the hotel rooms. He also produced a pilot for HGTV his TV show.”

Sada Trautmann, executive director of Downtown Salisbury (DSI), introduces Bernhardt and Kruger, who meet investors outside their windows each week, tour them, and work on properties. Said he was watching DSI owns the Empire Hotel and has a task force working on the transition to developers.

Barnhardt and Krueger shared a detailed presentation on the redevelopment of the Empire Hotel. Upon completion, it will include a boutique hotel with 25 luxurious historic rooms. The original 1906 Grand Ballroom has been fully restored and can accommodate 200 guests. 38 apartments; full-service spa and gym; Fine dining/bar area. There are 4-6 retail spaces on the ground floor. Their timeline calls for completing the plan by the second quarter of 2023. Construction will begin shortly thereafter and will take about 24 months.

“Hold on. We want to restore everything to its original historic detail. It takes some time to peel off the project,” Krueger said.

“Our team is passionate about this community and we want to make Empire Hotel proud again,” said Barnhardt. He cited The Sherbert Group in Charlotte and Eddie Belk and Belk Architecture from Rowan County as other partners on the project.

Krueger has over 25 years of construction and development experience with iconic projects such as the Ivey’s Hotel in Charlotte and the Windsor Hotel in Asheville.

A second-generation builder and a strong background in early real estate sales, he was able to gain experience in founding his own company, Corinthian Development. He has distinguished himself as one of the top builders and developers in his market, generating over $70 million in homes and developments. With over a dozen developments, Kruger has developed properties directly from Charlotte, Lake Norman and Banner his elk.

Bernhardt grew up in Salisbury, where he was fascinated by history and old buildings. His mother, Debbie Barnhardt Bassinger, owns her Barnhardt Jewelers in Salisbury.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and construction workers, he learned the value of hard work at a young age. After living in the historic neighborhoods of New York City, Charleston and Charlotte, he is passionate about creating distinctive downtown living spaces. His 20-year career includes international technical consulting at IBM, growing a London-based start-up, and mentoring at Bank of America and his Wells Fargo before founding Iron Horse Development. including position. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and his MBA from UNC Chapel Hill.

The Chamber of Commerce’s next PIP breakfast will be held on November 17th, with Hotwire Executive Sue Kelly speaking. For more information, please contact the Rowan Chamber of Commerce at (704) 633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com or www.rowanchamber.com.