Nessler opened the 1740 House, in 1968 and operated it until the 1980s. He wanted to create a "motel-style" inn for New Yorkers along the Delaware River. Insisting that each guests have a river view from every room, and each room was to have its own bathroom. He advertised it in The Village Voice and The New Yorker to draw in the guests. It was an immediate and long-lasting success. Though it has changed hands a few times, and lost some of its glow, this year it has new owners who expect to breathe life back into this riverside gem.
- Bucks County Herald
In November 2010, Joe Luccaro of HollyHedge Estate, Robert Blanche of Rice's Market, and Carversville residents Ross Choate, managing partner of Kennedy Ford and Richard Gastineau of Icon Biotech took ownership of the 1740 House. They were joined this spring by good friend and longtime sailing buddy Dr. Neil Cohen. Luccaro is the managing general partner. Friends and Lumberville neighbors have welcomed the new local ownership. "We know it's in good hands," the Luccaros have earned their reputation as owners of more than one local establishment. Joe was born into the hospitality industry. At the young age of twelve he was cooking at his Dad's Sheepshead
Bay Brooklyn restaurant The Barge.
In 1973, soon after he and wife Amy honeymooned at the Black Bass Hotel (the 1740 House neighbor), they moved to Bucks County. The Luccaro's made an immediate impact on the restaurant scene in New Hope. Joe cooked and helped create some of the town's iconic restaurants and night clubs, Mothers, Havana and Misbehavin' Mamas.
In 1989 Joe, Amy and three sons, Dan, Ben and Tim "retired" to HollyHedge. The former school and performing arts camp had fallen on hard times. The family began the renovation and reclamation of this historic property.They used their collective talents to transform the property into the area's premier wedding and event destination.
In November of 2010 the opportunity to purchase the 1740 House became a reality. With his partners, one of whom (Ross Choate) was a former cook at Mothers, they began to bring the 1740 House back to it's former prominence.
Son, Ben, provides the same home grown organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers that he lovingly cultivates at HollyHedge.
See his blog at greeninghollyhedge.blogspot.com
Joe sees the 1740 House as an extension of HollyHedge. A place for overflow wedding guests, and a private riverside venue for smaller events and meetings. There is a shuttle bus that ferries guests between the two properties.
All the partners who are long time residents of Bucks County believe that the 1740 House offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy what they experience each day. Joe likes to say, "The area has been good to all of us". We think you will find the same true when you visit.
© Copyright 2012 HollyHedge
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What Harry Nessler envisioned when he bought the old Burger farm in 1964 has stood the test of time...
The village residents opposed the idea from the start - after all, the Black Bass Hotel had been there since the boatmen's day on the Delaware Canal. Nessler's project would intrude on village life with a modern kind of visitor. The working farm that had perished in the flood of 1955 had been part of Lumberville since 1860 but those days were gone. With the help of architect Donald Hedges, designer for the Bucks County Playhouse, Nessler built his vision.
- Bucks County Herald
All that remains of the original farm is the central part of the inn. Two-story wings extending from either side hold guest rooms facing the river, with balconies that allow the guests to step outside and feel the river breezes.
The building does not have the "motel" look that residents feared. It is charming, colonial architecture nestled into the hill that descends from River Road to the canal and river. It was so carefully designed to fit the site that visitors often mistake it for a restoration of an old building.
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