Otis Harbor Springs has opened its doors in Northern Michigan, showcasing meticulously restored Mid-Century designs stretching back nearly a century.
The historic property, originally transformed into an executive retreat in 1958, has received a top-to-bottom renovation led by Israel Hernandez and Ty Humpert, honoring its rustic charm.
“The original Birchwood Inn once served as the location of my family’s annual Fall road trip up the Tunnel of Trees some 25 years ago,” says Humpert. “We wanted to restore this legacy property and offer future generations of travelers the opportunity to explore this beautiful region, while creating their own lifelong memories.”
Drawing inspiration from the existing Mid-Century building and the surrounding natural beauty, the design was led by Humpert and Daniel Caudill, while Kenneth Blasingame contributed to the design of the lobby and the lounge. Caudill adds: “We wanted to create a space that honors the past and future of this historic land. The spirit and visual identity of Otis is grounded in a collection of experiences beginning in the 1950s and spanning to those of our present team, who are all local to the region.”
The building’s facade showcases its original stonework outside, while calming gray-blue hues inside are reminiscent of the waters of Lake Michigan, paired with vintage objects from years past. The property comprises 31 guestrooms, each marked with a hand painted gold leaf room number. Guestrooms feature a colour palette of pinks, yellows and blues, offset with creamy off-whites and an earthy ochre. Mid-Century inspiration remains at the forefront of the design, with custom beds designed by Caudill and Humpert, luxurious Frette linens and Italian Artemide Tolomeo bedside lamps, as well as a selection of original art from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Glass waterfall desks paired with a vintage Knoll leather desk chair bring an added layer of sophistication to the space, and vintage butterfly chairs retain a playfulness.
At the center of the main lodge is the Fireplace Lounge, a cocktail lounge designed to bring guests and locals together around its namesake hearth. Transporting guests back to the living rooms of the ‘60s, the space features a collection of custom designs and vintage furniture, primarily sourced in-state by Humpert. Varied seating vignettes center around oversized Parsons tables, including a restored tuxedo sofa original to the Birchwood Inn. At the heart of the space is the marble-topped bar, treated to feel like leather and look like petrified wood, with a hand-painted mural by Detroit artist Jennifer Haver.
The on-site shop, Birchwood General, offers a selection of locally made goods, including ceramics, art, curated books and vintage-ware sourced by Humpert. La Colombe coffee meanwhile is served from the café or a service window overlooking the newly installed deck.
“We’ve created this experience just as much for locals as for our out-of-town guests,” concludes Hernandez. “This is a very special place that has been part of the community for many decades, and we are honored to bring back this Northern Michigan mainstay for future generations.”
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