Muskegon’s historic Hackley Administration Building is undergoing a transformation into the Hackley Castle Inn and Suites boutique hotel. Muskegon-based developer WheelFish Group launched the project after buying the building back in 2021. Built in the 1890s, the 55,000-square-foot sandstone structure had been vacant and falling into disrepair, needing “a couple million dollars” of work to get it to the point of being ready to renovate, says WheelFish Group Vice President of Operations Frank Peterson.
Currently, interior demolition is complete and designs are nearly finished. Peterson estimates the project will cost a little over $15 million and result in a property with 48 rooms, including traditional hotel rooms and multiple-room suites, some with views of Lake Michigan. The building’s iconic clock tower also will be converted to house overnight guests. Other features will include small meeting spaces, a speakeasy, and spa. Located two blocks from the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center, the facility will dovetail nicely with events held there, Peterson says. In addition to offering overflow lodging, it will be suited for adding space for smaller breakouts or retreats.
“We want it to be luxury from day one,” Peterson says. He estimates completion will be no later than May next year. The property will be part of the Trademark Hotel Collection by Wyndham Resorts.
