FOXBURG, Pa. (EYT) – Recent news of the planned development of Six Senses Riverstone Estate in Foxburg was greeted with immediate recognition of the significant investment and economic impact the four-year project will have on the area’s cultural and architectural treasures.
“Saji Daniel, one of the owners of Riverstone Estates, was gracious enough to invite commissioners out to his property in Foxburg last week,” Clarion County Commissioner Wayne Brosius told exploreClarion.com.
“This project will create 240 direct full-time jobs, followed by hundreds of construction-related jobs. It will also significantly increase the tax base for Clarion County, the AC Valley School District and Richland County, benefiting all residents.”
Brosius explained that the plan will have impacts beyond Clarion County.
“Six Senses has a significant footprint not only in the U.S. but across the globe, making this a cultural, tourist and architectural hotspot not just for Clarion County and the state, but for the world,” Brosius continued.
“Saj and the other partners have a great vision and are looking to continue many of the dreams that Art Steffey had for the area. They will be great stewards of the Riverstone property.”
Once in a Lifetime
County Commissioner Ted Tarran said this is the biggest thing that’s happened to Clarion County in his lifetime.
“I’ve been here for 70 years,” Taran added.
“Look at it this way: 313 miles of Interstate 80 were built in Pennsylvania in 1966 at $1 million per mile. With the amount of money that’s going to be invested in Foxburg, we could have built the entire Interstate 80 in 1966. It’s close to half a billion dollars, so it should have some kind of economic impact on Clarion County. It’s unbelievable. I’ve known about this for a month and a half now, but I’ve had to keep my mouth shut. It’s been really tough.”
The height of excitement
Commissioner Braxton White said he is excited about how an investment of this magnitude will impact Foxburg and Clarion County.
“It says a lot about what our community is like that a small group of people love their home so much that they’re willing to invest in it and share it with others. I look forward to working with Saj and his team over the next few years to make their dreams a reality,” White said.
Impact on Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District
AC Valley School District Superintendent David McDevitt explained that the project will benefit the district.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with Saj Daniel and his team to support the development as it develops. Of course, it will help the school district. The tax base will be broader and we will all benefit from the partnership and collaboration.”
McDevitt explained that because so much money is spent on cyber school tuition, the expansion of the local tax base is very welcome.
He added, “We are looking at several renovation projects, and with additional tax revenue, ACV will be a hot property in the near future. From my perspective as the superintendent and district leader, we are excited to work with our neighbors. We see a bright future for our students, our district and our community.”
Great investment
The investment by the Daniel family and Six Senses was praised by Jared Heuer, executive director of the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation.
“Riverstone Estate is a treasured part of our community and we thank Six Senses for their responsible, stewardship practices,” Heuer said.
“CCEDC recognizes that tourism is a key driver of local economic development, and we are excited about the opportunities this historic partnership will bring to the local community, particularly the job creation and improved quality of life.”
Guest Room and Home
The resort’s 77 new rooms are contoured around the 1,200-acre property, which features more than 50 miles of trails and seven miles of riverfront, blending rich history with a visionary master plan, while 40 branded residences offer a bespoke lifestyle of a private country home with the benefits of a world-class service team and year-round adventures.
“Guests want more purpose and something greater from their stays, not just memories,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, part of the luxury and lifestyle portfolio of IHG Hotels & Resorts. “We think deeply about the art, and often the science, of extraordinary experiences grounded in emotional hospitality. Six Senses Riverstone Estate offers an enchanting canvas for new layers of wellness programming, creative cuisine, meaningful connections and a leap of discovery.”
A country home with a focus on health
As the seasons change, so do Six Senses Riverstone Estate’s customized wellness and food and beverage offerings.
The 16,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa will take a high-tech, high-touch approach to wellness. The spa will be set within the restored stone walls of the centuries-old Fox family English garden. Facilities for indoor and outdoor classes, including meditation, stretching, yoga and pilates, will be set amid beautiful scenery. At night, the resort takes on a different energy, with the option to make resolutions under a full moon or follow the stars with an astronomer over a curated cocktail.
In the world of sports, performance depends on preparation and recovery. Our 4,500-square-foot fitness center offers everything from injury prevention and muscle recovery to mental focus and motivation for beginners and seasoned pros. Located about 280 feet above the Allegheny River and adjacent to old-growth forest, our 80-foot active pool welcomes swimmers of all ages with a variety of leisure programs and relaxed energy.
Cuisine will focus on locally grown, organic produce and wild game, with on-site farm-to-table dining options including a specialty restaurant, a courtyard with a small tasting bar, and an Orchard Alley pop-up experience. Whether you’re indulging in homemade ice cream or tasting a jar of maple syrup from the property’s more than 5,000 maple trees at Eat with Six Senses, meals are always nutritious and delicious.
Guests and owners will also have access to the facility’s services.
Horses have played a central role throughout the estate’s history, and the equestrian center will feature a 22,000-square-foot indoor riding arena, 36 stalls with heated floors and a quiet corner for equine therapy programs. Residents will be able to board their horses year-round.
As well as the horses, the farm also has a variety of other animals including cows, sheep, goats and donkeys, as well as a chicken coop which produces fresh eggs every day.
