Abandoned for 50 Years, Hudson Pocketbook Factory Reopens as Five-Star Hotel October 1
Empty for half a century, Hudson's Pocketbook factory is set to reopen as boutique hotel.
Hudson’s city-block-sized Pocketbook Factory stood abandoned in an otherwise residential neighborhood for half a century—a monolithic reminder of the collapse of local industry generations ago. This October, the massive brick facility, built in 1883, reopens as the five-star Pocketbook Hudson boutique hotel and baths.
The $42 million resurrection is now a symbol of the city’s 21st -century economic revival. With 46 guest rooms, a spa, night club, restaurant, and retail and gallery space, the enterprise is a capstone on Hudson’s contemporary 20-year transformation from counterculture, artsy outpost to a premiere Hudson Valley tourist destination.
After four years of construction and red tape limbo by a consortium spearheaded by MacArthur Holdings, HN Capital Partners, Sean Roland, Nancy Kim, and Gabriel Katz, Pocketbook Hudson is now accepting reservations for October. Some amenities, like the spa, will not be open at launch.
Rooms range from cozy studios to sprawling corner suites, with pricing $379 for standard rooms and $749 for suites.
Designed by Charlap Hyman & Herrero, interiors blend the building’s industrial heritage—brick walls, heavy timbers, and big iron windows—with modern accents. Roland says that most of the ownership team has direct ties to Hudson.
“I grew up nearby, just outside of Chatham, and would come visit (Hudson) as a child.” Roland says. “I moved back here from San Francisco over a decade ago and the transformation is remarkable. We are confident in Hudson’s future and in Pocketbook for many reasons - because we have roots here, because of the undeniable beauty of the region, because of the unique historic character of Hudson itself, and, most importantly because of the vibrant and creative community of residents, visitors, and local businesses.
A History of Stops and Starts
Originally housing the Athens Knitting Mill—one of the area’s largest employers—the factory later became home to the Kadin Brothers Pocketbook Company until it closed in the 1970s. Vacant for decades, plans to restore it have prompted both enthusiasm and caution. In 2021, the Hudson Community Benefits Alliance asked the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to foster local hiring, workforce housing, and meaningful community engagement before approving tax breaks for the current project. While those specific requirements were not formally mandated for Pocketbook Hudson, the city government did impose a moratorium on new hotel tax concessions while updating its incentive framework after Pocketbook Hudson’s benefits were approved.
In December 2021, the IDA unanimously approved the redevelopment—providing approximately $1.4 million in tax benefits, contingent on agreements to hire local residents and support workforce development.
“I like to think that we made collaborative agreements, rather than simply agreeing to stipulations,” Roland Says. “We worked with the local Hudson Industrial Development Agency to enter into a PILOT agreement which is not a tax break, rather an agreement to structure our tax payments in a predictable escalation schedule over the course of a decade. This enabled us to feel confident in making such a large investment and we are grateful to the IDA and to the City for their support in our vision.
The project also secured $7 million in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy funding to support energy efficiency and environmental impact mitigation systems, and state historic rehabilitation tax credits.
Kitchen and Bath
Of the amenities to come, Roland is excited but tight-lipped. What he will say about the future restaurant is that it will be “Breezy, beautiful, and delightful with generous, unpretentious, and friendly service.” adding that the intention is to be open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “We’re not revealing too much just yet, but I’ll just say that we have a very talented chef on board and the menu focuses on the bounty and seasonality of ingredients in the Northeast, but with a bit more fire and flare than the typical New American bistro might have.”
As for the bath, Roland says it’s his favorite part of the project, even if it may be a while before the taps start flowing. “We were inspired by many global bathing traditions,” he says. “for example the Sento, the Thermae, and the Hammam, just to name a few. As a bunch of bathing and spa enthusiasts, we felt that Hudson really needs this type of offering! And we all know that winter up here is long and a good soak or steam can do wonders.”
When open, Pocketbook Hudson will account for a 10 percent increase in the city’s lodging capacity. The project’s development partners assert that the property will enhance downtown foot traffic without displacing existing neighborhoods, aligning with community-centered goals.
“We set out to create a place led by curiosity,” says Roland. “We can’t wait to share it.”
