The Holladay Properties-owned Inn at Saint Mary’s Hotel & Suites in South Bend, Indiana, is now undergoing an extensive interior renovation project.
The inn has been welcoming visitors to South Bend and the campuses of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College for nearly 20 years. Located at the Toll Road entrance to the community, while straddling the campuses of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, the inn will soon offer a new Starbucks and updated interiors.
But before the renovations could even begin, the old furniture had to be removed. Associates of the hotel were given the first chance to take some of the items. Then, the Humanity for Humanity of St. Joseph County ReStore was given the remaining items, including sofa beds, chairs, lamps, office chairs and miscellaneous bathroom amenities and fixtures.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price with all proceeds used by the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate of St. Joseph County to build homes. Habitat for Humanity was able to raise over $20,000 by selling the items the Inn donated at the Restore site.
“Donations from within our community (residential and commercial), are the key to our success at the ReStore which allows us to generate funds to help families within the St. Joe County community,” said Brian Oletti, director of ReStore Operation for Habitat for Humanity. “In 2015, we were able to generate over $250,000 which will be used towards the family we plan to serve in 2016. Our goal for 2016 at the ReStore is to generate over $350,000 for the families we will serve in 2017.”
After the old furniture was removed, the renovation was able to begin. In December of 2015, the general contractor, Holladay Construction Group, LLC began the $3.2 million renovation of 65 guest rooms. The room remodels include new bathrooms, an honor tray featuring local food and beverage favorites, as well as a refrigerator/mini bar stocked with craft beers and other favorites.
A café serving Starbucks is scheduled to open in the lobby by the end of February, mirroring a full bar that opened just a year ago. The renovation project will also include upgrades in the largest hotel fitness center in St. Joseph County and the LeMans meeting room.
