Rock & Roll Haven

Read article : Rock & Roll Haven

The White Dove Rockotel, Woodstock

Published: 06/06/2016

Insider's Tip: Book any suite for two or more midweek nights and receive a 12 percent discount (Friday/Saturday and holidays excluded).

It appears like a tie-dyed mirage on Tinker Street, a funky Victorian painted in gradations of purple, magenta, pink, and red. Opened in October 2014 and continuing to evolve, this Woodstock business is owned by Brooklyn transplants Erin Cadigan, a fashion designer/illustrator, and Martin Mills, a real estate project manager.

The rock music theme was a no-brainer: “Martin and I met while following the band Phish, and I had also followed the Grateful Dead when Jerry Garcia was alive. Both of us were heavily involved in music, including music of the ’60s and ’70s, our whole lives,” says Cadigan. “This project was very DIY.”

That’s for sure. Using details from album covers and other authentic sources, Cadigan personally designed the draperies and wallpaper in the suites. Each pays tribute to an artist, era, or event — but there’s nothing kitschy about it. “The idea was what it would have looked like if an artist lived there,” she says. “Experience,” a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, is bathed in shades of purple and includes mod furniture and baroque details. “Heart,” the Janis Joplin quarters, is all pinks and oranges, with a six-foot home theater screen. “Station,” a loft-like space with a sweet tie-dyed sofa, honors the Grateful Dead. The theme for “Garden” is the Woodstock festival itself. Around the corner and down a country lane, the ’70s-inspired “Rocket Room” has a cabin-in-the-woods feel, and Queen-themed “Bohemian Rhapsody” dazzles with a gold metallic bathroom. “We wanted to do something special in each bath,” says Cadigan. Some have rainfall shower heads, while others feature clawfoot slipper tubs.

Each room is stocked with a record player and vintage vinyl to enhance the vibe (or you can plug into a retro-look radio/MP3 speaker). Some suites have surround sound so you can really crank the volume. Stay tuned for more details, as the couple looks to expand.

Eat: Guests can preorder meat and vegetarian breakfast sandwich delivery from Provisions in town, as well as snack trays from Cheese Louise. Rick’s Wood-Fired is just a few doors down and makes a mean mushroom pizza. Borrow one of the inn’s free bikes and head to the Village Green, where vegan Garden Café offers lunch and dinner. They have a zippy new juice bar and a pretty patio for enjoying summer breezes. Patrons line up at Shindig, also in town, for homemade cinnamon buns and donuts at breakfast and at Bread Alone for lunch fare like burgers on brioche buns.

Do: You can simply hang out in the guests’ courtyard and stoke up the firepit. Or embark on an adventure: Take the trail from the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery to Overlook Mountain for a gorgeous view of the Hudson and surrounding Catskills. You can also poke around the ruins of an old hotel. Visitors love the local watering holes, and the inn provides towels to take along; Millstream, Big Deep, and Little Deep are favorites (Cadigan is putting together a map of them). On the weekends, Mower’s Flea Market — one block away from the Village Green — is a fun outing: vintage goods but also funky new clothes and a farmer’s market all wrapped into one.

Take a morning yoga or Pilates class at Euphoria Yoga. And in the evening, Upstate Films, practically next door, always has something interesting on the screen.

The Details

The White Dove Rockotel 

148 Tinker St., Woodstock

845-306-5419 

www.thewhitedoverockotel.com

Price range: $135 to $265 per night.

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Northgate Crossing apartments await the expanding suburb of Wheeling

Read article : Northgate Crossing apartments await the expanding suburb of Wheeling

The long-anticipated Wheeling Town Center, a mixed-use activity hub on the south side of Dundee Road, is expected to break ground this fall. When completed a movie theater, restaurants and retailers will neighbor the 100-acre Heritage Park and aquatic center as well as a Metra train station.

Within walking distance on the north side of the road is Northgate Crossing apartments. The new 288-unit, low-rise rental community will be wrapping up its construction about the time the town center gets started.

"Wheeling isn't an area people think of right away, but it's up-and-coming," said Northgate Business Manager Jillion Volz. "We're just a little earlier than everything is popping up."

Northgate Crossing is being developed by Reva Development Partners and built by Kinzie Builders. Lincoln Property Residential is managing the community.

The residents, who began arriving late December, tend to be either young professionals or empty nesters. They are drawn to the corporate offices in the area, nearby North Shore attractions and easy access to highways and the train route.

The younger residents often are establishing themselves in careers before they buy a home while the older ones may have sold theirs, said Matt Nix, principal at Reva.

"We provide kind of a transitional housing option to or from a single-family home while people make their next housing decision," he said.

"Our price point is a little lower than that of the surrounding communities," Volz said.

Surrounded by a mature landscape, Northgate Crossing is set back from the traffic on Dundee Road. Nine three-story elevator buildings are interspersed amid a clubhouse and retention pond. Each building is entered via a secure foyer.

Six floor plans are offered: four with one bedroom and one bath, and two with two bedrooms and two baths. One of the one-bedroom plans also has a den.

Residents have a choice of two color combinations: white cabinetry with dark counters and flooring or espresso cabinets and medium-hued counters and flooring. Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, in-unit clothes washers and dryers, window blinds, closet shelving systems and lever door handles are standard. Vinyl plank flooring and cream-colored carpeting is per plan. Bathrooms have white subway tile surrounds and ceramic tile floors. All units have either a patio or balcony.

The largest two-bedroom apartment is the 1,212-square-foot Edison. A second-floor model opens to a foyer with a built-in art niche on one side and a laundry closet on the other. A great room has spaces allocated for sitting, formal dining and food preparation. The U-shaped kitchen has breakfast seating along one counter. An alcove with upper and lower cabinets can serve as a dry bar or buffet and hutch combo.

The two bedrooms and baths are at opposite sides of the apartment. The master suite has walk-in and linen closets and a bath with oversized shower and comfort-height dual vanities. The second bath, which is adjacent to the guest bedroom, has an extra-deep tub.

A circular drive fronts the clubhouse, where lounge seating, flat-screen television, pool table, two-way fireplace and full kitchen invite residents to spend their leisure hours. A business center provides computers and printer. The 24-hour fitness center has cardio and weight-training equipment. The media room has an extra-large flat-screen TV and theater-style lounge chairs; it can be rented for private viewings. Wi-Fi is complimentary in the clubhouse and pool area.

Outdoor amenities include swimming pool and sun deck, locker rooms with showers, bocce ball court, grilling station, fire pit and dog park.

Northgate Crossing is pet-friendly, although restrictions apply. Three buildings are pet-free.

Pamela Dittmer McKuen is a freelance writer.

Northgate Crossing

250 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling; ,847-947-2717 andwww.northgatewheeling.com

Apartments: Prices based on availability and subject to change. One-bedroom, 696 to 873 square feet, from $1,475; one-bedroom with den, 883 square feet, from $1,675; two-bedroom, 1190 to 1212 square feet, from $1,965.

Lease terms: 12- and 15-month leases. Application fee $50; administration fee $450; no security deposit.

Renter's insurance: $50,000 liability required minimum.

Utilities: Resident pays all utilities.

Parking: Open parking is free. Private garages available for $125 to $170 a month.

Pets: Two pets per apartment. Size and breed restrictions apply. Pet fees are $250 one-time and $20 monthly per pet. Three buildings are pet-free.

Smoking policy: Smoke-free.

Amenities: Resident clubhouse with lounge seating, flat-screen television, fire place, full kitchen, pool table, business center, fitness center and theater room. Outdoor swimming pool with sundeck, grilling station, bocce ball court and fire pit. Complimentary Wi-Fi in clubhouse and pool area. Dog park. Open parking, although private garages with inside access are available at additional cost. Apartments are furnished with vinyl plank flooring and carpeting per plan, in-unit clothes washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances, granite counters, walk-in closets, window blinds and key fob access. Patios and balconies are per plan.

Close to municipal services, Interstate 294 and Route 53. Metra train station across Dundee Road offers weekday-only service on the North Central Line.