*The below FAQ is intended to address common questions and misconceptions regarding the pending zoning application for The Manor House Inn.  Readers are encouraged to review the zoning application itself for additional information and to consult with ZEO Stacey Sefcik for accurate information. Hard copies are available at Town Hall. Updates are posted on the Town News Website. For links to additional documents posted by Town Hall, Click Here and select from the options in the right-hand column.*

Property History and Operations

Q: What is the history of The Manor House Inn?

A: The Alders Estate was built as a private residence over 125 years ago in 1898 when Norfolk was a bustling resort community, and Maple Avenue was the hub for recreation and accommodations, acting as a corridor to connect culture and community to the water and woodlands.  

The Manor House has hosted overnight visitors for nearly 50 years, first with room rentals (1977), then as a B&B (1986), and for over 25 years as a Country Inn (1996).  In the early 1960s, the property was abandoned for some time before becoming a boarding house in the 1970s.

Q: How is The Manor House permitted to operate in the Village Residential zone?  Doesn’t the zoning permit only residential uses?

A:  Country Inns are permitted with special permit approval in the Village Residential Zone.  The Manor House received its special permit to operate as a Country Inn in 1996, and that permit is still valid today.  The special permit allows up to 25 guest rooms with the following “related uses” to be enjoyed by both overnight and daytime guests of “no more than 150 people”:

• A restaurant;
• Conference facilities;
• Recreational facilities; and
• Similar uses contributing to the comfort, convenience or necessity of guests.

Other businesses/organizations operating on Maple Avenue (past and/or present) include Town Hall, a funeral home, an antique store, a construction company, a massage therapist, Norfolk Farmer’s Market, a realtor, and an artists’ studio, among others.

According to 1st Selectman Matt Riiska, Norfolk was awarded a $500,000 STEAP grant from the state of Connecticut for the recent road work on Maple Avenue in no small part because there are businesses that operate on Maple Avenue.

Q:  Did prior owners use the Manor House as a Country Inn?

A:  Yes.  When the 1996 permit was issued, the then-owners of The Manor House focused on hosting events, including concerts and weddings, supplementing their lodging income to ensure the Inn’s viability and to allow for the continued maintenance of the estate. They invested in significant renovations during their tenure.  During that time, guests parked in the existing 16-space lot; overflow parking was designated on additional grassy areas (10 spaces), and additional parking occurred on the paved area in front of the inn and along Maple Avenue. 

The property was sold in 2004 (MLS #: L104270), and the subsequent owner focused on overnight lodging when Infinity Hall was flourishing and Norfolk welcomed travelers and tourists consistently.  Unfortunately, the building and grounds suffered deferred maintenance during this time, and the property value depreciated significantly before the Inn was sold again in 2017 (MLS #: L10139715). 

The next owners again focused on lodging revenue while still hosting retreats and events.  They also invested in property updates. However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted tourism, as well as Infinity Hall and all nearby hospitality properties, including the Inn, thereby inclining them to sell.  Three Stewards Real Estate LLC purchased the property in 2022 after it had been on the market for over a year.  

Q:  Does The Manor House currently host guests?  Does it offer outdoor recreation and services to those guests today?  

A: Yes, The Manor House currently hosts overnight guests in eight guest rooms within the Inn building; daytime guests are welcome with advanced reservations and are subject to Fire Code limitations.  The Manor House offers a variety of amenities and services to its guests, including food service, lawn games, massage, picnic packages, nature walks, birdwatching, and the like.  Recognizing that most people come to the area to enjoy nature, the Manor House also provides hiking trail guides and promotes all outdoor activities that characterize lifestyles in Litchfield Hills.

Q:  Why propose improvements to The Manor House Inn now?  Can’t the Inn continue to operate as-is?

A: The Manor House cannot continue on as-is, and doing nothing will jeopardize not only the future of the Inn but of the entire 5-acre property, which could have an adverse effect on other nearby property values, and the town overall.  These large, historically significant buildings are expensive to maintain, and interest in visiting Norfolk has dwindled over the last decade.  Further, the Inn’s outdoor recreational features are relatively few and outdated, and the parking, lighting, and walkways on the property are not zoning-compliant or safe for guests and emergency access and circulation.  To keep up with competitor inns and ensure The Manor House’s future, Three Stewards needs to modernize and beautify the site and the inn’s offerings for guests, as well as ensure that parking and safety updates can support winter operations.  The goal is to create a rural, year-round, nature-centric respite where guests may relax, reflect, and enjoy all that Norfolk has to offer. Improvements are also designed to draw visitors to the area for several days, enticing some to become new residents.

It is essential to understand that as the Manor House Inn has changed ownership, operations have shifted to reflect changes in the Village Center. Although Infinity Hall was formerly a major driver of travel and tourism to Norfolk, the inconsistency of concerts has dramatically impacted the viability of small businesses, including the Manor House Inn. The future of Infinity Hall is unclear.  For Norfolk to maintain a vibrant village that draws in younger demographics and generates business-associated tax revenue to offset personal property taxes, additional anchor businesses and attractions are needed. The Manor House seeks to be one such business, utilizing its existing Special Permit to serve visitors and residents alike.

Q:  Has Three Stewards done anything to preserve The Manor House Inn to date?

A:  Yes.  Three Stewards have invested well over half a million dollars into The Manor House already by, among other things, replacing the roof, painting the exterior of the Inn building, addressing structural repairs, completing various Fire Code upgrades and electrical / plumbing system upgrades, and addressing various landscaping concerns, including removing several invasives and pruning overgrown trees and vegetation on-site. But there’s far more work to be done.

Site Improvement Plan

Q: What are Three Stewards proposing to do with this new zoning application?

A: Three Stewards is proposing various site improvements, including:

• Parking, dark-sky compliant lighting, driveway, and walkway updates to bring the property into compliance with the current Zoning Regulations and to enhance guest safety and emergency access;
• Adding therapeutic nature-immersive hydrothermal features at the rear (west) of the Inn building for guests, including a terrace, hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, beverage station, and an amenity building containing an indoor hydrothermal circuit and spaces for massage.
• Adding two (2) Nordic-style guest cabins.
• The demolition of the unsafe carport and shed is currently on-site in favor of a New England-style garage that resembles the house at 68 Maple Ave.
• Significant additional landscaping as an homage to the Inn’s reputation as a rural, nature-centric retreat, and to further beautify and screen the site.
• Construction of stormwater management improvements, including two (2) rain gardens.

The application does not include any proposed changes to the use of the property (lodging, conferences, restaurant, recreation, or similar uses).  As such, the terms of the 1996 special permit are not within the scope of the application and will not change. The plan taps into the growing market for rest and recreational travel, particularly for visitors who want to stay at an intimate, unpretentious, yet elevated Green Lodging-certified property. “Understated elegance” will be the market differentiator for the Manor House Inn, as compared to large-scale, high-end, high-volume establishments that feature similar, though far more abundant, services and amenities. The intimacy of the property, coupled with simple amenities and easy access to both the village and the woodlands, will be the draw. Further, this plan will attract eco-conscious, nature-minded visitors into town who will support other local businesses in the Village Center.

Q:  Are the proposed improvements within the scope of the 1996 special permit?

A:  Yes.

Q:  I heard that Three Stewards proposes adding 10,000 SF of building(s) on-site – is that true?

A:  No. Proposed improvements to the site include a net increase of building structures totaling approximately 2,463 SF of gross coverage area.  The backyard terrace and walkways total approximately 1,334 SF, within which sit a small lounge-style relaxation pool (approx 120 SF) and small cold plunge pool (approx 49 SF), all hidden from the view of the road with the landscape design plan.

In the Village Residential zone, zoning bylaws dictate the specific scale and scope of permissible updates relative to the size of the existing buildings and lot.

Q:  Will the improvements be completed at once or in phases?  How long will it take?

A:  The improvements will be completed over three phases, with breaks in construction between phases.  Three Stewards hope to complete the first two phases within 12-18 months and anticipate completing all improvements within five (5) years.  

Q:  Do the improvements to the site include a restaurant?  A spa?  Aren’t those new businesses outside of the scope of the 1996 special permit?

A:  The Manor House already has zoning authorization to operate a restaurant on-site under its 1996 special permit, and it has historically offered food service to its overnight and daytime guests.  Today, The Manor House Inn has a Class 3 Food Service License from the Torrington Area Health District, and the Norfolk Fire Marshal has confirmed that the Inn may have up to 44 dining seats within the Inn building for food service.  While Three Stewards intends to enhance its food service offerings for its guests, doing so is within the scope of its special permit and does not constitute a new business or different use on-site.  

The proposed wellness amenities at the rear of the site are also within the scope of the 1996 special permit and do not constitute a new business.  The recreational spaces will service the Inn’s guests by providing a designated and tranquil space for rest, recreation, and massage – already offered on-site today and dating back to when the permit was issued in the 1990s. The new building will also include a Nordic-style hydrothermal circuit that combines hot and cold water features and quiet rest areas. We will remain open to daytime guests, just as we’ve been when hosting special events. This shift is operational: towards revenue-generation-through-recreation, and relies less on revenue-generation-through-events. Multiple revenue streams are needed to subsidize the lodging revenue so that the Manor House remains operational.

As with all of the Inn’s offerings, advanced reservations will be required, limiting the number of guests that may use the Inn at any given time.

Q: I’ve heard people refer to the proposed additions as a Nordic Spa or Hydrothermal Spa. What does that mean? 

A: A Nordic Spa is a wellness experience inspired by traditional Nordic recreational practices that combine hot and cold therapies using various water features. It’s often used for its therapeutic benefits and athletic recovery. The core principle of a hydrothermal circuit is the therapeutic use of contrasting temperatures, typically following a cycle of: 1) Heat exposure (15-20 minutes) through features like hot pools (around 38-40°C/100-104°F) and saunas (traditional dry or steam), 2) Cold exposure (10-30 seconds to 3 minutes) via cold plunge pools (10-15°C/50-59°F) or cold rain showers, followed by 3) Rest period (15-20 minutes) in relaxation rooms, heated loungers, meditation spaces, indoor/outdoor rest areas.  Some visitors choose to supplement their recreational experience by also scheduling a massage.

Q: What are the benefits of this type of recreation? 

A: The hydrothermal circuit has mental and physical health benefits. Specifically, a hydrothermal circuit can reduce stress, tension, and fatigue and improve memory and mental alertness. The hot, cold, rest, & repeat cycle can release endorphins followed by a deep state of relaxation and mind-body well-being. Physical health benefits include healing and recovery from overworked muscles and aching joints, as well as reducing swelling and inflammation. The hot and cold baths can help eliminate toxins and tone the skin. The repeated cold plunges of the Nordic Cycle can help improve immunity. Most people find improved sleep as a result.

Q:  Will The Manor House continue to host events?

A:  Yes.  The inn has hosted town-sponsored and non-profit events for organizations in town, including the Haystack Book Festival, WIN, Great Mountain Forest, and Northwest Chamber of Commerce, among others. The Manor House has hosted events for decades and will continue to do so in keeping with its 1996 special permit provisions.  However, the current owners have intentionally shifted their focus to cater to more subdued activities, including team-building retreats, group/family outings, girls’ weekends away, and intimate weddings. The Inn specifically markets its grounds for nature-centric, restful, and reflective practices. Hours of operation will remain the same as they currently are.

Q:  Why are you proposing 45 parking spaces when the Inn has operated with far less for years?  Won’t the headlights disturb the neighbors?

A:  The existing parking area is not only too small to service the Inn, but it is deteriorating and unsafe for guests and employees.  The inn cannot be open in the winter because the asphalt can no longer be plowed without crumbling. As noted above, prior owners have used the existing parking area but have allowed additional vehicles to park on the grass or along Maple Avenue.  Three Stewards do not want to encourage guests to continue to park on the grass or off-site and have, therefore, proposed a parking area that is zoning-compliant and safe based on today’s standards.  The proposed parking area will have 45 parking spaces because the Zoning Regulations require 45 parking spaces based on existing uses. 

Three Stewards’ design team has designed the parking area to minimize impacts by, among other things, selecting dark-sky-compliant lighting fixtures and low-to-the-ground walkway lights, utilizing the existing wall along Maple Avenue, and incorporating additional evergreen plantings to screen the area, shielding headlights and most vehicles from view. Based on the American Standard for Nursery Stock, a 3-31/2” caliper Maple tree averages 16’ in height; and the flowering dogwoods will be approximately 12’ tall at the time of planting. A rendered elevation of the property from Maple Avenue is below. The full application packet with updates and engineered drawings are available at Town Hall, or click here for digital copies.

Q:  Isn’t the scale of the parking lot and hardscaping beyond the scope of what zoning regulations allow?

A:  No. Section 3.04 of the bylaws related to dimensional standards allows up to 20% for developed coverage; the proposed site plan is for 12.8% of developed coverage.

Q:  Who designed the proposed improvements?

A: The site was designed by Lead Designer Bob Gilchrest and Engineer George Johanassen from Allied Engineering Associates.  Allied also designed the landscaping for City Meadow and the Norfolk Village Center.  Rob White Architect Co., located in Bethany, designed the proposed amenity building.  Kloter Farms designed the proposed garage.

Q: How will The Manor House Inn contribute to and support the broader Norfolk community?

A:  The Manor House Inn is committed to community enrichment by providing a hub for:

• Promoting Norfolk as a conservation haven and nature-lovers paradise by featuring its natural resources: hiking trails, City Meadow, kayaking/canoeing locations, snowshoeing and skiing trails, etc.;
• Promoting and supporting local cultural treasures, including the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Library Programming, Infinity Hall, Haystack Book Talks, Connecticut Asia Cultural Center, etc;
• New job creation;
• Recreational activities, open to Norfolk residents at a special rate;
• Partnering with local producers and artisans to create a sense of “terroir”, i.e. “taste of place”; capturing the essence of Norfolk’s unique environment and cultural practices around food and beverage production to create a unique experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere;
• Travel and retreat tourism that includes nature conservation and environmental education;
• Connecting hobbyists with tourists to provide unique experiences that local residents can monetize, i.e. guided birdwatching walks, foraging education, fly fishing, curling, historical tours, etc.
• Supporting Norfolk’s economic vitality by, among other things, promoting local businesses, drawing travelers in to spend days in the area;
• Promoting and supporting Connecticut nonprofit organizations, including the Norfolk Library, Norfolk Foundation, Great Mountain Forest, American Mural Project, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, The Gathering Place Shelter, Friends of Main Street Winsted, and the Women’s Business Development Council;
• Continuing the town’s rich musical heritage by hosting Yale Summer School of Music Faculty during the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival; and
• Donating select complimentary stays or offering discounted rates to chosen researchers, writers, and artists who further conservation and cultural goals in the Town of Norfolk.

The Inn’s commitment reflects its belief that a thriving community requires responsible businesses alongside strong cultural institutions, environmental stewardship, and social support systems.

Rendered Site Plan of the Proposed Improvements

Proposed Rendered View From Maple Avenue