A $3 million-$5 million five-star inn is being planned right in the heart of Clarkston.
Investor Robert Roth of Washington Management shared plans including a conservatory made of all glass, a 16-room inn with two cottages, and numerous gardens and walkways.
The development would be west of Clarkston Mills Mall on Washington Street.
Ed Adler of Lake Angelus, investor and Roth’s brother, said he wanted to give Clarkston a development like The Pillars Hotel in Florida, an up-scale destination described as elegant, sophisticated, and warm.
‘When I saw The Pillars, I was inspired,” Adler confessed.
He has had visions of grandeur for the area ever since he purchased Clarkston Mills property, he said.
‘I always knew the property would lend itself to something beautiful,” he said.
Development plans may change based on input by Washington Management contractors and city officials, he said.
Conceptual ideas for the inn are still in the works, and no approvals for the project have been granted by the City of Clarkston.
‘We have to start somewhere,” Adler said.
Roth has met with city officials including the City Manager Carol Eberhardt, Mayor Joe Luginski, city planners and their consultants.
Roth will also attend an April 6 planning commission meeting to share plans and gather feedback.
Adler said Washington Management values city officials and consultant advice.
‘We are going to the April 6 planning commission meeting for informational purposes only and to show them our preliminary plans,? said Roth.
Roth said he and Adler hired Birmingham Architect Victor Saroki, whose building designs include the Townsend Hotel in Royal Oak and Royal Park Hotel in Rochester.
‘Victor is very talented at what he does,? said Adler.
A talented architect will make visions come true, Roth believes.
‘This has been a lifelong dream of Ed Adler,? Roth said of his brother and investment partner.
Adler has been a well known figure in Clarkston for decades and has invested heavily in the area.
‘It will a wedding destination for a Cinderella wedding and other special events,? said Roth.
‘It is a very exciting project and will be great for Clarkston,” added his wife, Peg. ‘It will make Clarkston a top spot to travel to get married.?
Conceptual plans show visitors entering a drive-up area to the lobby and reception area off Washington Street, with a stretch of street continuing its run along a mature-tree filled drive towards a conservatory area.
A conservatory area of the inn will be built in ‘Orangerie? style construction, an open area made almost entirely of glass. In the plan, the ceiling of the conservatory is open and also made of glass.
Orangerie, also called Orangery, is a term originating from the Renaissance Gardens in Italy when glass technology allowed construction of enormous glass rooms to grow citrus trees in bitterly cold temperatures.
‘The view from the conservatory will be beautiful,? Roth assured.
Guests can hold outdoor weddings, get married in the conservatory or in a historic home on the property.
Washington Management already owns the home, which will be structurally kept intact, but remodeled. The home will feature a revamped upper floor and the lower level will lead to a garden-filled walk-out area.
Visitors can marry in Depot Park and then head to the inn for the reception. A large garden area on the property will be located towards in the middle of the inn, and will include water features like a waterfall.
‘We will have beautiful areas with benches and walkways winding through gardens, flowers and tree filled areas,” Roth added. “There will be trees everywhere, and we will also have an area to walk along the river.”
A kitchen with a dining room in the conservatory area of the inn will allow staff to cook for guests.
‘Our guests will be able to stay the night and come down in the morning and have breakfast, or have dinner in the evening,? Roth said.
Guests can have events catered by outside venues, and a banquet hall area of the inn will hold 150-200 people.
Each of the 16 rooms on the property will differ in style. Roth said each room may be named in honor of someone, one room for example could be the ‘Henry Ford? room. Or the rooms may be names in honor of famous locals.
In addition to rooms, two separate cottages will be available to stay in.
‘Cottages would be a place the bride and groom could stay,? Roth said. ‘Cottages will be about 300 square foot rooms with a fireplace and the works.?
‘You will be able to book for a wedding and we will have everything you need.?
Special touches, like heated floors, will be among the special touches added to the inn.
Roth estimates approval and the construction process to build the inn will take about 18 months.