The Darling Inn

Nature of Work: Renovation to 4-story, 28-unit historic brick building dating from 1927 for RuralEdge.

Location: Lyndonville, Vermont

Funding was committed by Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, USDA Rural Development, and Efficiency Vermont.

The Darling Inn is a historic inn on half-acre that was originally constructed in 1927 after fire burned the original structure. Historically, the site has been a hotel, dating back to the late 1800s. In 1980, it was added to the National Historic Register and converted to senior housing. It also is home to the Lyndon Area Meal Site, which provide meals 5 days a week to the public and is headquarters for the local Meals-on-Wheels program.

Renovations focused on upgrading the building’s fire, egress and electrical systems, improving accessibility and increasing energy efficiency. Some of the energy efficient upgrades consist of building with insulation, central heating system, energy efficient lighting, and new pellet boilers.

Some renovations were geared towards accommodating those in wheelchairs, by making the public bathrooms in the dining room wheelchair accessible. Three of the apartments were made wheelchair accessible.

Along with the major renovations, smaller issues such the chimney being repaired, the trim being painted, and the repointing of the brickwork on the exterior of the building were also addressed.