The North Hero House Inn & Restaurant traces its origins to 1891, when it served as a lakeside destination for travelers arriving by steamboat along Lake Champlain. Over time, the property evolved into a layered campus of historic structures, each contributing to its identity as both local landmark and seasonal retreat.

The recent renovation builds on this legacy through targeted, contemporary interventions. A new entrance sequence redefines arrival and strengthens the connection between the village edge and the waterfront, while the updated restaurant establishes a more open, inviting relationship to the lake. These elements introduce clarity without disrupting the character of the existing buildings.

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Working closely with the owner, JRMA guided the transformation toward a more intimate, boutique experience. Guest accommodations are distributed across the site as smaller, independent volumes, allowing for privacy while maintaining a cohesive sense of place. The result is a balanced composition of old and new, where historic continuity is preserved and subtly extended through modern design. Architect John Rooney was instrumental in the overall design direction, with interior design by Joanne Palmisano and construction led by General Contractor Paul Yandow.

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c. JRMA Design Studio - Architecture - Planning - Development