When lighting struck the roof of a beloved Lake Michigan retreat, our design team moved quickly to support our long-standing clients and bring their family’s lakeside property back to life. This 50-room hotel has been a cherished destination for loyal guests across the Midwest for nearly two decades. Though it was stripped down to the studs, the architectural bones of the beloved retreat remain. Our focus was to preserve the location’s charm and emotional connection with the community while re-envisioning the entire hotel in a fresh, modern way.
 Intentionally not thematic, the creative inspiration pulls upon diverse sources, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie and Japanese influences to Scandinavian and Midwestern lake life simplicity. Every moment is infused with a casual luxury and created with the year-round comfort of the hotel team and guests in mind. The design reflects and respects this intimate place and the surrounding nature – a hotel on a bluff, overlooking the harbor. Materials throughout the property were carefully considered for both their fresh take on the region and sustainable origins. Beautifully carved wall hangings were repurposed from salvaged wood and thoughtfully designed by a local artist. Inspired again by Frank Lloyd Wright and his Midwestern roots, the custom built 10’ concrete fireplace was handcrafted by a Michigan-based company with locally and responsibly sourced materials, essentially turning backyard dust into architectural art. Embracing the tenets of Prairie Style architecture, we focused on creating spaces designed for connection, closeness, and community. We elevated the facade with a welcoming, wood clad front porch anchored by flickering gas lanterns. The inviting flicker of fire plays a major role throughout the property. From the first moment of arrival, guests are invited into moments together, whether in the cozy lobby den, during an evening of s’mores on the restaurant’s terrace, or an intimate fireside nightcap in the privacy of your room. In a small, destination community that relies on tourism for its livelihood, we knew that speed, flexibility, and vision would be vital for this project. Over 12-months, through an unprecedented global pandemic and a time of personal crisis for our clients, this hotel was not simply rebuilt, but re-envisioned. When this property welcomed back its team and guests during the winter of 2020, it did so as the lakeside-luxury gem our clients always dreamed of.