Keefer House Hotel Hosts Media and Local Leaders for Walkthrough Update

HILLSDALE: April 5th 2024, CLRED opened the Keefer House Hotel for local leaders and the media to walk through the construction site and see the progress. Structural work was nearing completion, and the masons, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers were working alongside each other on framing the walls and installing the utility rough-ins.

While construction proceeds, CLRED is working with Hotel Investment Services (HIS), the hotel operator, to prepare for opening. Ron Wilson, CEO of HIS said “The Keefer House Hotel will be a special place that will not only serve the Hillsdale community well but will be one of those hotels that will attract visitors looking to step back in time when hotels were a destination to those looking for a welcome stop for fine dining, entertaining, celebrations, and a well-appointed guest room.”

The Keefer House Hotel launched a temporary website to promote the project and keep the public informed. Along with the website, the Keefer House Hotel officially debuted its logo.
Local civic and business leaders were invited to tour the construction progress firsthand. During their construction walk-through, CLRED’s VP of Construction and Development, Nick Fox, pointed out the newly poured basement slab which starkly contrasts with the wet basement conditions which complicated construction a year ago. Mr. Fox also highlighted the new structural steel, which replaced the nearly 140-year-old structural timbers, and reinforces the entire building. Additionally, he pointed out the new sub-flooring being installed throughout the upper guestroom floors. Along their walk-through, visitors got to see the start of the new wall framing intertwined with the original 140-year-old framing that will eventually be covered up with new drywall, instead of plaster, once all the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing are completed.

Over the next several months, crews will continue building out the interior of the hotel, CLRED noted most of the hotel equipment, furniture, and fixtures are already purchased and sitting in storage warehouses waiting to be brought to the hotel site. Wilson said, “We are starting to hire key team members and begin training, developing the website to accept pre-booking, and further developing the on-site restaurant.”

Peter Limberger, Chairman of CL Enterprises, said: “We are happy that all construction problems could be solved, and the project is now on track to open its doors in 2024. We believe it will be a great addition to the city of Hillsdale and will become a destination for leisure and business travelers.”

Drew Gelzer, TIFA Chairman: “After touring the Keefer House Hotel, I am pleased to report that the project is well underway. It was inspiring to view the progress made since my last update thirty days ago. I want to compliment CLRED and Phoenix Builders on their diligence and attention to detail as they bring the Keefer House Hotel back to life, and I cannot wait to see the building finished. Its completion will have a truly transformative effect on the economy of downtown Hillsdale.”

Ron Wilson, CEO of HIS said “The Keefer House Hotel will be a special place that will not only serve the Hillsdale community well but will be one of those hotels that will attract visitors looking to step back in time when hotels were a destination to those looking for a welcome stop for fine dining, entertaining, celebrations, and a well-appointed guest room.

For more information on the hotel development during construction, the public is welcome to check out our temporary website www.thekeeferhousehotel.com.