Friends of the Sip & Ski Lodge - Harbor Springs

The Sip & Ski Lodge is now declared "complete."

An extremely rewarding whole-family process, led by Ella Wynsma for whom this was effectively a 'college senior thesis project', designed and built largely during the early COVID era.

Beginning in fall of 2019, the interior demo was done first to confirm what we needed to see inside the structure. From there she was lifted up 11' in the air while a new basment was built before setting her back down and dismantling the entire structure down to the frame, all done by TWB Troy Bosker team, architectural design by Rob Sears / Sears Architects and interior design and finishes by Ella Wynsma, for whom this project helped shape / affirm career decisions and her dream landing spot at Jean Stoffer Design right here in Grand Rapids; a best case scenario for a young and aspiring, trendy designer.

I've recently received all the pro photos taken by Ashley Avila by appointment to Rob Sears, see below.!

College projects can be expensive and I got stuck with the bill but.... I wouldn't change a thing.

Our endless gratitude to the past owners Jack Blanchard Della Blanchard for their encouragement and support while we transitioned the legacy of '"the 'sip" from their story to ours.

Hope to see many of you there when you're in Harbor Springs !

Friends of the Sip & Ski Lodge - Harbor Springs updated their business hours.

interior update pics from Ella Wynsma as furniture and fixtures trickle in

Restoring history today!

next up: final paint, install of electrical fixtures and plumbing. heat is on ! Furniture starting to arrive- some covid delays- so Thanksgiving may be a bit 'campy' but we'll be in ! TWB Contractors / Troy Bosker moving pretty fast on all the above-- driveway and garage next week?

Deck going on, exterior finishes near completion and the old barn / garage simply too far gone to be saved-- we did salvage the original sip & ski logo sign from the 60's and will incorporate that into our plans somehow. go Troy go !

a couple new pics from the morning's efforts on the facade, courtesy of Troy Bosker and TWB Contractors and Sears Architects

Progress pics from last week-- getting into finishes now!

TWB Contractors and Troy Bosker clicking along just fine on Bay Street. Upper and lower level deck framing, tile in all bathrooms, and exterior siding and soffit work are the priority. Roof, gutters, other exterior stuff coming shortly ! Still planning on October 1 keep it going Troy !

insulation complete— tile work is underway, siding and porch progress too. roof and copper gutters up next as the interior trim guys get setup for a long session...
we missed summer 2020 due to the virus but should be in October!

Windows are in and heat is on- next up is rough-ins for mechanical, plumbing and electrical. Garage demo this week, new garage and house ext siding coming soon! Structural and framing finally behind us, so we can see some light at the end here. NINE layers of roof shingles were removed; she is breathing much better now!

upper and lower porches will make the exterior look much more complete, it’s hard to be patient but Troy Bosker / TWB construction doing a fantastic job for us. On schedule, under budget..... coming from a customer who’s not easily impressed that says a lot!

It's gotta get worse before it gets better! Structural framing is nearing completion, the front of the house begins to take shape, window and door openings are roughed-in and the new basement will serve many purposes in the future. We hope to begin window install early January, with mechanical and plumbing rough-ins simultaneously. TWB / Troy Bosker Construction is on schedule and under budget at this stage--- lets keep that up Troy !

Ella Katherine Wynsma is doing a bit of design work these days. With our project currently quite torn up, it is inspiring to have some nice kitchen mock-ups to look at.

Friends of the Sip & Ski Lodge - Harbor Springs updated their phone number.

Friends of the Sip & Ski Lodge - Harbor Springs updated their website address.

From the way-back machine; this photo is from approx. 1900

New-school foundation; hollow-center lightweight styrofoam ICF blocks that get assembled like Lego's, then poured full of concrete from the top. 10 days to cure, then we set the building back down. Target date Nov. 5

What's this ? A log cabin hiding inside the building. Previous owner claims this was the "last fur trading post" in the area--- mid 1800's ? Wish the local History Museum had more info !

We have lift-off ! Kathy's dad--- not a short man --- stands below the newly lifted building in late September 2019

random assortment of "during" renovation process-- the early stages and demolition