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Planning commission approves State-led renovations to 18 The Circle (the Brick Hotel)
Summary
The Georgetown Planning Commission approved alterations to 18 The Circle — known locally as the Brick Hotel — presented by Becker Morgan Group on behalf of the State of Delaware Division of Facilities Management. The vote followed a presentation outlining interior office conversions, rear infill for an accessible entrance, roof and flashing repairs, and revised exterior finishes.
The Georgetown Planning Commission on June 17 voted to approve proposed alterations to 18 The Circle, the historic Brick Hotel, after a presentation by Derek Dutton, a project manager with Becker Morgan Group representing the State of Delaware Division of Facilities Management.
Dutton said the project will convert interior hotel and restaurant space into offices for the Department of Justice and modernize mechanical systems, including new electrical, HVAC, plumbing and communications. He told commissioners the east (front) elevation will not be altered beyond inspection, cleaning and matching repairs, while the south and rear elevations will see more substantive changes: removal of Juliet balconies and sliding doors, replacement with wood windows to match the front, and infill of an area now used for underground parking to create a second accessible entrance required by code.
The presentation highlighted preservation concerns and materials work. Dutton said the team will investigate and repair a failing slate roof, replace worn copper flashing and dormer roofs with matching materials, and remove concrete copings that contribute to wall degradation. Where practical, the state prefers to restore the original brick veneer across portions of the rear elevation, though Dutton cautioned that infilling matched brick is sometimes impractical and could be visually worse than the existing masonry.
Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the proposed alterations as discussed, with revised drawings to be submitted; a commissioner seconded. The commission conducted a roll-call vote and recorded approval; Dutton said the applicant will revise and submit updated drawings immediately.
The commission’s approval clears the design for the next steps in permitting and construction oversight. The applicant’s presentation emphasized both preservation goals and practical interventions to address chronic moisture and roof failures. Dutton said the slate roofing will be restored to natural slate where possible and that copper elements removed for repair will be replaced in the same materials so they age naturally.
Next procedural steps noted in the meeting: Becker Morgan Group will provide the revised drawings to commission staff for review and any follow‑up, and the applicant will coordinate with historic‑review specialists and brick and slate experts as needed.
