The History of Hutton Brickyards: From Industrial Facility to Luxury Hotel and Venue

In 2014, Karl Slovin — president of MWest Holdings — purchased a property that was nothing like the commercial or residential buildings he’d acquired since 1991 in California, Texas, Florida, and New York. This was a run-down, former brick-making factory, located 90 miles north of New York City in Kingston, NY (in the Hudson Valley). It didn’t come with tenants and he wasn’t planning on flipping it. It was so run down it had become a skate park for locals — but with an amazing view of the Hudson River.

Slovin had a vision for the space and the tenacity (and patience) to transform the industrial facility into a luxury retreat suitable for weddings, corporate events, concerts and transient guests. In 2024, the final pieces of the puzzle came together with the unveiling of Edgewood — a separate real estate purchase on adjacent land that included a historic hilltop mansion, a carriage house, and surrounding grounds. This is the story of how Hutton Brickyards evolved over the last 150 years.

IN THE BEGINNING: 1865

Hutton brickyards never would have existed if two “great fires” in 1835 and 1845 hadn’t ravaged lower Manhattan. After the devastation, not surprisingly, New York City prohibited wood in certain types of construction; bricks became an essential building material. Two men saw an opportunity here and, in 1865, these pioneers — William Hutton and John Cordts — purchased land along the Hudson River and formed a company initially called Cordts and Hutton, later changed to Hutton Company Brick Works after Cordts’ retirement in 1887.

By the early 20th century, New York’s Hudson River Valley had become the largest brickmaking region in the world. It boasted over 125 manufacturers and employed upwards of 8,000 workers. Bricks were fired along the riverbanks and then transported via barge throughout the Hudson Valley and, most vitally, to New York City. The city was the fastest growing metropolis in the world and demand for bricks was at a record high. Some of the most famous buildings in the Big Apple were made with Hutton Brickyard bricks including the original Yankee Stadium, the Cloisters, the Empire State Building, Delmonico's, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

But demand for bricks started to wane in the 1920s as other sources of building materials flourished. Cheaper bricks could be found in parts of Europe and the South. And concrete was on the rise. Hutton Brickyards, however, managed to thrive despite hard times during both World Wars and the Great Depression. But it would not last forever. In 1965, the company was sold to a competitor, and by 1980 it was closed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

HUTTON BRICKYARDS RISES AGAIN

Though much of the facility’s brickmaking infrastructure was dismantled, a few integral elements remained, including three steel-frame kiln sheds, a Lidgerwood crane, and millions of red bricks etched with the Hutton branding. To most people, the 73 acres of land looked like industrial rot. To Slovin, this was the foundation — physically and spiritually — of a new type of hotel and venue. He envisioned a world-class event destination, punctuated with architectural remnants of our manufacturing past.

The Hutton Brickyards restoration, a multi-million-dollar endeavor, has progressed slowly and carefully over the last decade with an eye toward preservation instead of destruction. The property is now a 43-room riverside escape featuring luxury riverfront cabins, an immaculately restored hilltop manor home, two seasonal restaurants and bars, firepits, massage rooms, hiking trails, ample free parking, and uninterrupted waterfront vistas. Farm-to-table cuisine and numerous outdoor activities make it easy for guests to enjoy deep relaxation with strong connections to nature.

Old spaces have taken on new roles: The new Hutton Hall — 2,400 square feet with soaring ceilings — is where clay used to be mixed. The bi-level apartment known as the Cottage — featuring a wet bar, dining area, living room, clawfoot soaking tub, and large courtyard ready for outdoor entertaining — used to function as office space for the Huttons. And Edgewood manor — with 12 stately guestrooms and its own bar and restaurant — was previously the Cordts’ family home. Bricks are used throughout the property as cool props.

Of particular note: Bob Dylan played two sold-out concerts at Hutton Brickyards in 2017 (the venue can hold 3,500 people). And Field + Supply, the modern makers’ craft fair, hosts its biannual makers’ markets on the grounds overlooking the Hudson. The event draws more than 250 vendors and 10,000+ visitors.

OTHER HISTORICAL SITES: THE BIGGER PICTURE

Hutton Brickyards is not the first historically significant property to be managed by MWest Holdings. Slovin and his team are especially adept at restoring vintage buildings. In particular, they’ve renovated several Los Angeles-based apartment buildings and hotels. Many were built in the 1920s. The company refers to these as part of the “Heritage Collection” (click on "designation" to see this option).

Why invest in historical properties? They preserve the history and valuable resources of the space, bring a sense of community, encourage investment in the surrounding area, and maintain environmental balance. With the reimagined Hutton Brickyards, the legacy of early brickmakers lives on today and the space honors the rich history of the site for a new generation. In Los Angeles, many of the buildings played a role in the history of Hollywood and cinema.

Some prime examples of MWest’s other historical renovations are below. You can view vintage photos of the properties (and in some cases, before and after pics) on the MWest website.

The San Fernando Building

Considered one of the finest buildings in the downtown Los Angeles area today, the building, erected in 1906, displays meticulous early 1920’s iconic architecture in one of the downtown’s historically preserved neighborhoods, the Old Bank District of the Historic Core along 4th Street. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The community offers an ever-growing collection of restaurants, bars, galleries, retail and nightlife for the urban dweller. Improvements continue: A resident lounge is coming soon with a fitness center, coworking spaces, TV, and game room.

Guardian Arms

Constructed in 1928 as a hotel, Guardian Arms became the destination for many Hollywood film stars thanks to its prestigious address and spectacular unobstructed views of the Hollywood sign and Griffith Park Observatory. The hotel was renamed and converted by the previous owners to New Hollywood Apartments, but MWest restored the original name upon acquisition. The property has 101 multifamily units and nine ground-floor retail units. It is situated in East Hollywood, a historic neighborhood currently experiencing a rapid renaissance, and is bordered by central Hollywood and Los Feliz.

Hollywood Tower

This grand-scale 1929 apartment building was renovated in 2010, adding amenities and three beautifully designed rooftop decks. Some of the property’s former residents include Humphrey Bogart, William Powell, Errol Flynn, and Marilyn Monroe. The Hollywood Tower is visible from the 101 freeway, located near the center of Hollywood and within walking distance of Franklin Village, public transit, superb dining, and the most extensive nightlife scene in Los Angeles.

South Park Lofts

Built in 1924 as an eight-story parking garage, South Park Lofts was one of America's first parking structures to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1924, a successful businessman named Ken Stoakes hired one of the city's most prominent architects, Claud Beelman, to create a structure that had continuity with the office buildings, hotels and department stores lining Grand Avenue. The result was a Beaux-Arts edifice with spectacular windows and decorative details. Today, this 49-unit loft property is located within easy walking distance of Downtown Los Angeles’ exciting nightlife and culture. MWest upgraded the interiors to feature exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and high-end kitchens and bathrooms.

Wilshire Royale

Originally constructed in 1927 as the Arcady Apartment Hotel, Wilshire Royale boasts 1920s architecture and neoclassical style. It was commissioned by a local leader of the anti-liquor Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, Olive Philips. And it functioned for a time as a Howard Johnson’s hotel until it was converted back to apartments. With restoration, it has become a jewel in the MacArthur Park area — a lively neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and located near the metro line with proximity to the 10, 101, and 110 freeways.