Revitalizing a Century-Old Venue for Modern Celebrations

Location: Howell, Michigan
Project Duration: 18 months (Design through Construction)
Scope: Phased interior renovation and adaptive reuse

The Challenge

Chemung Hills Golf Course, a nearly century-old establishment in the suburbs of Ann Arbor, Michigan, faced declining wedding bookings as couples increasingly chose competitors and emerging venue types like rustic barn weddings. Client feedback consistently identified the banquet and event spaces as dated and in need of modernization. The facility needed to recapture its position in a competitive market while preserving its historic character and continuing golf course operations.

Our Approach

Our firm developed a strategic, two-phase renovation plan designed to modernize existing spaces while unlocking new revenue opportunities—all without disrupting ongoing business operations.

Phase 1: Core Event Space Modernization

The initial phase focused on the primary revenue-generating spaces:

• Banquet Hall Renovation: Complete interior updates to create a contemporary aesthetic that appeals to modern couples while respecting the venue's heritage

• Bar Upgrades: New equipment installation and layout improvements to enhance service efficiency

• Kitchen Modernization: Updated equipment to support expanded catering capabilities

• ADA Compliance: Comprehensive accessibility improvements throughout public spaces

Phase 2: Adaptive Reuse & Revenue Expansion

Building on Phase 1's success, the second phase transformed underutilized spaces into significant revenue generators:

• Women's Locker Room Conversion: Redesigned as a dedicated bridal suite, providing couples with an exclusive, Instagram-worthy preparation space

• Men's Locker Room Transformation: Converted to house state-of-the-art golf simulators available for rental, creating year-round revenue independent of weather conditions

• Administrative Office Relocation: Complete demolition and reconfiguration of staff offices to optimize workflow and improve daily operations for employees

The Results

The renovation exceeded expectations, delivering both immediate and sustained business impact:

• Recaptured Market Share: Multiple couples who had initially declined to book the venue reversed their decisions after touring the renovated bridal suite and updated spaces

• Full Season Booking: The wedding venue achieved complete booking capacity for the season following project completion

• Enhanced Competitiveness: The facility now competes effectively against both traditional competitors and emerging venue alternatives

• Operational Efficiency: Staff report significantly improved functionality in redesigned work areas

Project Impact

This phased approach allowed Chemung Hills to remain operational throughout construction while systematically addressing market demands. By combining aesthetic modernization with strategic space repurposing, the project transformed a struggling venue into a thriving, fully-booked destination that honors its heritage while meeting contemporary expectations.

This project demonstrates our firm's ability to revitalize historic hospitality venues through strategic planning, thoughtful design, and phased implementation that protects ongoing operations while delivering transformative results.