Johansen studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, and the Juilliard School, where he earned his artist diploma.
“It essentially will be the same building with a few modifications — these will go back in time,” and make the renovated Searles “much more historically accurate.”
-- Architect Rolph Biggers
A hotel in the middle of town should be an amenity to the town. Rather than wait for events to unfold, I felt we had to seize some initiative, and show them what an alternative [to their design] might be.”
-- Jack Musgrove, member of the Great Barrington Planning Board
Since it was unveiled two weeks ago, the hotel proposal has taken some hits over the design and size, since its historic designation allows it to evade the town’s 45-room hotel limit bylaw.
“We’re using our own money,” hotel developer Vijay Mahida said. “We are not asking the town to give us any tax break, as other developers have asked of towns.”
