VISION OVERVIEW
Our goal is not just to modernize Carleton Villa. Our goal is to honor it.
Our inspiration is guided by three principles:
Preserve what
can be preserved.
Replicate what history
showed us.
Protect the land as carefully as the structure.
Preservation-First Approach
We are committed to:
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Retaining original materials wherever possible using historically appropriate methods and craftsmanship.
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Working with preservation architects, engineers, and historians. Following New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidance.
Archaeology & Compliance
This project honors not only visible history, but what lies beneath it.
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Archaeological assessments will guide site work.
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Regulatory reviews will be respected.
We believe patience is part of stewardship.
Site plan
We approach this work with humility and care. Every decision is guided by respect, for history, for place, and for the people connected to it.
Restoring Carleton Villa to Bless Again
Carleton Villa is being restored — not as a museum, but as a living landmark.
The 15,000-square-foot Gilded Age estate will be renovated to include:
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A destination restaurant on the first floor
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Fourteen boutique hotel guestrooms above
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A lower level featuring a commercial kitchen, wine cellar & tasting bar, Chef’s Tasting Room, spa, and recreation space.
The Villa will once again glimmer as it did in the late 1800s —
serving guests, strengthening the region, and honoring its history.
The cabins:
In addition, eleven fully furnished, fairytale-like cabins will be built in the forested area between South Bay and North Bay.
These cabins will:
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Provide housing for workers during the 3–5 year restoration process
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Welcome travelers seeking an immersive Thousand Islands experience
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Generate revenue to directly support the Villa’s restoration
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Construction of the cabins and restoration of the Villa will occur simultaneously — with the full restoration of Carleton Villa remaining the central focus.
Why This Matters
God blesses us not to hold tightly — but to bless others.
This project is an act of stewardship. What has endured for more than a century is not ours to waste. We believe the Lord entrusts certain opportunities to specific generations — and faith requires action.
Carleton Villa will not fade on our watch.
This restoration creates measurable benefit beyond the island:
For Cape Vincent & Local Residents
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New hospitality and dining destination
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Job creation in construction trades, food service, hospitality, maintenance, and management
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Increased tourism supporting local shops, restaurants, marinas, and businesses
For the Thousand Islands Region
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A restored architectural landmark
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A significant economic contributor
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A complement to Boldt Castle, Singer Castle and other historic attractions
For Guests
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A one-of-a-kind stay inside a restored Gilded Age estate
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Elevated dining experience overlooking the St. Lawrence River
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A setting for retreats, celebrations, and meaningful gatherings
Historic preservation is not nostalgia.
It is economic development rooted in identity.
Phased Restoration Plan
1
Stabilization
Structural rehabilitation, site access, and environmental safeguards.
Phase 1
2
Preservation
Exterior restoration with historical conservation in mind.
Phase 2
3
Reawakening
Interior restoration, community integration, and cultural programming through activities.
Phase 3
Ron Clapp Appoints Aubertine & Currier Architects to Lead Carleton Villa Restoration
August 2023 - Carleton Villa owner Ron Clapp has appointed Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors, PLLC as architect of record for the restoration of the historic 1895 villa on Carleton Island. Originally designed by renowned Cornell architect William H. Miller, the landmark will be carefully revitalized by a firm known for its work on major Thousand Islands heritage sites, combining preservation expertise with modern engineering to return this architectural treasure to its former grandeur while preparing it for the future.
The Carleton Villa is digitized
October 31st 2022 - Specialized 3D-mapping drones are flown around the entire building to precisely digitize the exterior. Inside the Villa, high-resolution 3D cameras are strategically placed throughout each space to capture detailed imagery and accurate measurements.
All collected data is processed into a complete digital record of the building. This information is then used to produce precise 3D computer renderings, architectural drawings, floor plans, and exterior elevations—creating a reliable foundation for restoration, planning, and future development.
Resources
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn