HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Renovations continue at Hope College’s Haworth Inn and Conference Center, 225 College Ave. in Holland.
Set to reopen in just a few months, the project includes renovating all conference and hotel rooms, rebuilding the lobby, and creating a full-service coffee shop that will be open to students and the public.
Hope officials indicated this project is funded by gift from Haworth, which includes the work of Patricia Urquiola, an award-winning designer and architect based in Milan, Italy.
“We’re grateful for Haworth’s ongoing partnership with Hope, which is a prime example of how the college and area organizations can work together not only to provide an exceptional educational experience for Hope’s students but to enhance the quality of life in Holland and West Michigan,” said the college’s president, Matthew A. Scogin. “The Haworth Inn and Conference Center has been a tremendous resource for both Hope and the community. With this latest support from Haworth, this facility will be an even more inviting destination for guests and events and will also serve as a welcome center and a gathering space for Hope alumni.”
The work started in November and required the entire operation to shut down. Plans are to reopen guest rooms on the building’s second and third floors, and the main-floor lobby in May. The coffee shop and conference spaces will be phased in during the summer.
Some of the space will become a community resource and create a design destination, featuring:
- meeting and banquet facilities totaling more than 10,000 square feet and 13 conference rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 400;
- 48 guestrooms featuring Haworth products;
- a fitness facility for hotel guests;
- touchdown workspaces, as well as social spaces throughout the lobby;
- a gift shop featuring Hope- and Holland-themed apparel and memorabilia;
The Haworth Inn and Conference Center, opened 23 years ago and serves as a bridge between Hope’s campus and downtown Holland. The future coffee shop is one way of enhancing that connection, Hope officials say.
The building will also serve as a welcome center for visitors to the college including alumni, community members and prospective students.
“The Haworth Inn and Conference Center has always been a focal point for mixing students, community residents, local organizations and businesses together. We are tremendously excited about this becoming an even more engaging place to share ideas and collaborate,” said Dick Haworth, Chairman Emeritus. “We are thrilled to have Patricia Urquiola design the space and be able to use the inn for Haworth guests to experience Holland, Michigan. This space will also help with attraction and retention for both Haworth and Hope.”
Urquiola and her studio led design efforts and bring extensive experience in retail, product and hospitality spaces. A designer and architect born in Oviedo, Spain, she now lives and works in Milan. Her work is internationally known for playful and poetic expression that is still pragmatic and functional, with unique, European flair. The Haworth is Urquiola’s first Michigan project. She’s designed Vogue’s Italian headquarters; that country’s first Starbucks; and a BMW showroom.
“This project really is a win-win-win for the college, community and Haworth,” said Kurt VanderSchuur, Haworth’s global brand director. “We want this facility to serve the community and coordinate beautifully with a visit to our HQ. We are known for offices and this provides an opportunity to engage our product solutions in a living hospitality environment.”
“I want to take a moment to recognize how lucky we are in downtown Holland,” added Butch TerHaar, owner of Butch’s Dry Dock. “Not only do we enjoy visitors from around the world for Tulip Time and our beautiful summers, but we also see a significant number of people that are here for corporate business and Hope College. This renovation brings a new design element to our downtown and we are truly excited to see it.”
Haworth’s support continues a long tradition of engagement with Hope, a connection reflected in the name of the facility, which opened in January 1997. Hope named the building after Haworth in honor of donations to the college’s endowment.
Additional architectural design for the Haworth Inn and Conference Center is provided by GMB Architecture + Engineering of Holland and the general contractor is Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. of Grand Rapids. The total project cost is approximately $7.5 million.
