On October 7, 2011, Brookdale Lodge suffered substantial fire damage. On October 7, 2015, we still do not know the details of how that fire started at Brookdale Lodge, but we are finally seeing the burned sections of the lodge being torn down. Call this stage one of a renovation plan to restore the historic beauty of this landmark.
Next, we can look forward to the renovation of the rooms, the removal of the pool roof, and the restoration of the rental cabins on the other side of Highway 9. Robin Musitelli, CountySupervisor’s Analyst (5th District), said that “we expect by the beginning of the year, Brookdale Lodge will be ready to open.”
The owner, Pravin Patel said, “The demolition is long overdue, but I needed to go through the County’s process and get the proper permits.” Patel said he is busy making sure that the retail functions will be running. He is in the process of negotiating to get the coffee shop and grocery store leases in place.
Patel is looking forward to finishing the hotel lobby. His vision is to restore the iconic beauty that made Brookdale Lodge a favorite of its guests from yesteryear. “I want to do this right, with the tender loving care that the lodge deserves,” he said. “We have an opportunity to remake history and start out right.”
Asked about ghosts from the past, Patel said that “some of them we can get rid of, like the burned out buildings, but then there are other ones that might not go as easily.” Although he does not claim to believe in ghosts, he said that sometimes when he is all alone in the Brook Room, strange things happen that he cannot explain. Sometimes he hears noises and sees shadows that should not be present. Maybe it is time for second thoughts about the ghosts of Brookdale Lodge.
