Blaze at iconic Nevele Grand Hotel under investigation

The fire started at the “Winter Building” of the former Nevele Grand Hotel in the Town of Wawarsing around 9:30 p.m., according to Ulster County officials.

Blaise Gomez

Mar 20, 2024, 11:49 AM

Updated 49 days ago

Share:

A blaze at an iconic Borscht Belt hotel Tuesday night is now under investigation.
The fire started at the “Winter Building” of the former Nevele Grand Hotel in the Town of Wawarsing around 9:30 p.m., according to Ulster County officials.
“The whole building was fully involved,” says Everett Erichsen, director of Ulster County Emergency Services.
The once-thriving resort on Arrowhead Road was built in 1901 and closed more than a century later, in 2019 - after the Catskills became less popular to vacationers from New York City.
So far, it’s not clear how the fire began.
“It’s unfortunate. We are going to be investigating,” Erichsen says.
The fire was captured in multiple images sent to News 12 by a viewer showing the building fully engulfed in smoke and flames.
The 463-acre property was most recently purchased by 1100 Arrow LLC in 2023, according to multiple media reports. Ulster County property records online list the property owner’s information as “not available” but show it was purchased for $5 million in 2023.
Plans were widely reported last year that the new owners and NYC-based developer, Somerset Partners, planned to demolish the property to build a new hotel, condos and cottages.
News 12’s efforts to find a working phone number for 1100 Arrow LLC were unsuccessful. An email was sent out to Somerset Partners for information.
The iconic destination resort is the fourth Borscht Belt hotel to catch fire after closing and falling into ruin. Pine Hotel in Fallsburg burned down last June and the Homowack Resort caught fire last July. The famous Grossinger's Resort Hotel in Liberty, which inspired the blockbuster film "Dirty Dancing" was destroyed in a fire in 2022.


More from News 12
2:56
VOTE 2024: Latimer makes his case for 16th Congressional District seat

VOTE 2024: Latimer makes his case for 16th Congressional District seat

1:44
Scattered showers throughout the weekend; cooler temps ahead

Scattered showers throughout the weekend; cooler temps ahead

2:02
Day laborers banned from seeking work in parking lot of New Rochelle Home Depot protest

Day laborers banned from seeking work in parking lot of New Rochelle Home Depot protest

1:40
Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

1:58
4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

1:10
Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

0:27
Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

0:48
Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

1:46
Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

0:30
‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

0:19
Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

1:14
Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

0:40
New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

0:28
Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

0:32
SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

0:38
Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

0:31
Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

0:30
New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

0:21
Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

1:08
Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining