Butler County Tourism Foundation Closes Deal on Historic Kaufman House in Zelienople

BUTLER COUNTY, PA (December 17, 2015) – Today, the Butler County Tourism Foundation, in partnership with the Progress Fund announced that they have closed in escrow on the historic Kaufman House property in Zelienople. Originally built in 1902, the Kaufman House has always operated as a hotel, inn or tavern and was considered the premier hotel between Pittsburgh and New Castle during the 1900’s.

As part of the Zelienople revitalization project, the Butler County Tourism Foundation has purchased the Kaufman House with plans to to restore the building back to its original architectural grandeur and will operate as a restaurant, coffee shop and lounge and a boutique hotel with 18 rooms. In a unique spin, the property will also serve as a training facility for the tourism and hospitality industries. Butler County Community College (BC3) has agreed to provide internship opportunities for culinary arts and hospitality management positions.

“The purchase of the Kaufman House is really a game changer in terms of economic development in Butler County,” said President of the Butler County Tourism Foundation, Jack Cohen. “The project will be completed exclusively by Butler County based contractors and once it’s back up and operating, it will continue to build on the county’s workforce development by offering hospitality programs and internships within its state-of-the-art kitchen. I’m thrilled to see how the project progresses and the good it will do for not just Butler County as a whole, but more specifically Zelienople.”

Not only will this project revive Zelienople’s legacy as a popular rest stop for travelers, it will also create jobs, and train the next generation of hospitality industry workers.

Plans are already being drawn by 4-most Group Inc. Architects, a Butler based company, who are paying close attention to the original layout of the building and charming characteristics reminiscent of the time period such as tin ceilings, crown-molding, lighting, exterior windows and color schemes. Additionally, each of the guest rooms will be decorated differently to provide visitors with a distinct feel and experience in each room.

This project will be run by an outside management company, in partnership with Butler County Community College, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, State of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development and Zelienople Borough.

The Kaufman House is slated to open its doors once again in 2017. For more information on the Kaufman House and to follow the progress of the restoration go to www.bctfoundation.com.

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