Roanoke construction firm to renovate Homestead’s Warm Springs Pools

Roanoke-based Lionberger Construction Co. has been selected as the general contractor to renovate The Omni Homestead Resort’s historic Warm Springs Pools, Omni Hotels & Resorts announced Monday.

The contractor will restore the men’s and ladies’ bath houses at the formerly named Jefferson Pools and the reception house of The Omni Homestead Resort to their 1925 appearance.

According to the hotel’s history, the distinctive white, octagonal Gentleman’s Pool House was erected in 1761 and is the oldest spa structure in the nation. The circular Ladies’ Pool House was constructed in 1836.

The pandemic delayed the Bath County hotel’s planned renovations, which are now expected to be completed in late 2022. The construction company plans to begin work in late September.

Lionberger CEO Sam Lionberger III said in a statement, “We are incredibly honored to be entrusted with the restoration of the Warm Springs Pools, and we recognize their importance, especially to the local community. Our family has been working with The Homestead for more than 40 years, going back to when it was owned by the Ingalls family.”

The Lionberger team is currently in the drawing-review stage with 3North, the architectural firm that developed the plans. Within the next 30 to 60 days, Lionberger’s team will erect scaffolding and begin shoring up the building.

In 2013, Omni Hotels & Resorts bought The Homestead, which opened in 1766 and is located in the Allegheny Mountains in Bath County’s Hot Springs area.