The Hayes Hotel, a nearly century-old building in Jackson, MI, will soon undergo a renovation that will restore many of its significant historic features while reimagining the facility to include apartments, events, and retail spaces. Opened in 1926, the Hayes Hotel was once a premier hotel in Michigan and a vibrant hub of social activity in Jackson. For nearly 50 years, its elegance was showcased in the hotel’s restaurant, lounge, and grand ballroom, each adorned with marble finishes, a gold-accented foyer and staircase, and terrazzo floors.

After it was sold to Consumers Energy in 1973 and used as their corporate headquarters until 2003, the building has remained vacant.

In 2023, TowerPinkster and J. Jeffers & Co. began a partnership to restore the historic building to its former grandeur. The first two floors will feature the most prominent restoration elements, preserving the original terrazzo flooring, marble, and ornate details. The first floor will feature a restaurant and retail spaces, a restored historic entrance and grand staircase, and a private back entrance for residents. The original lobby will be restored on the second floor, while the lounge and dining room will be converted into two adjoining ballroom spaces. The upper floors will be dedicated to market-rate apartments, blending modern amenities with historic character, and will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

Reviving a Legacy Through Historic Restoration

The Hayes Hotel renovation is an example of historic restoration, a process focused on returning a building to its original state by using historical research and documentation to guide the work. For the Hayes Hotel, this means revitalizing its iconic spaces, like the ballroom and the terrazzo flooring, and removing elements that do not reflect the original time and character.

Because restoration often means working with incomplete or outdated information, the Hotel requires in-depth fieldwork and investigative techniques to understand the building’s original form and construction methods. This involves historical research, materials analysis, and the use of 3D scanning to create accurate digital models of the structure to ensure the renovation honors the Hotel’s history. Other challenges in restoration include unforeseen structural issues, years of neglect, non-compliant materials used in modifications, and meeting historic guidelines

While financing restoration projects can delay and even hinder construction, historic buildings sometimes qualify for funding through federal, state, and local grants, or tax credits through the National Parks Service. Recently, the Hayes Hotel received $4.5 million in support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The allocation reflects the importance of the renovation as a centerpiece of Jackson’s revitalization efforts

The Hayes Hotel renovation is more than a restoration project, it’s an opportunity to revitalize a long-vacant building in the hub of downtown Jackson and stimulate future business throughout the city. Our approach to the Hayes Hotel combines our expertise in restoring historic elements while adapting spaces for modern use. As we continue to work on this project, we remain dedicated to honoring the Hotel’s legacy while ensuring its future in the heart of downtown Jackson.