Waterfront Marriott to Break Ground in Muskegon’s Harbor 31 Development
Muskegon, Michigan — May 12, 2026 — Great Lakes Capital (GLC), in partnership with Schahet Hotel, Wolverine Construction and Henrickson Architecture will hold a groundbreaking ceremony of the Element by Marriott hotel in Muskegon, Michigan—marking a major milestone in the continued transformation of the city’s lakefront.
The five-story, 136-key extended-stay hotel will be located within the Harbor 31 master-planned community, a 31-acre mixed-use development along the shores of Muskegon Lake.
Designed to serve both visitors and the local community, the project introduces a new level of hospitality offering to a market with limited comparable accommodations.
“This project fills a clear gap in the Muskegon market,” said Kristen Sawdon, Managing Director and Principal with Great Lakes Capital. “We’re delivering a best-in-class hospitality asset that not only attracts out-of-town visitors but also creates a destination for the local community.”
The Element by Marriott brand—one of Marriott International’s most successful extended-stay concepts—will anchor the development. The hotel will feature a highly curated indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant concept that goes beyond typical Element offerings, intentionally designed to draw both guests and residents year-round.
Amenities will include:
- 136 guest rooms
- Flexible meeting and event space
- Indoor pool and fitness facilities
- A signature indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant experience
- Walkable access to Muskegon Lake, downtown, and the waterfront
The project is positioned to capitalize on Muskegon’s growing tourism economy, which has seen strong post-pandemic recovery and increasing year-round visitation driven by regional events and lakefront recreation.
The development is being delivered through a strategic public-private partnership, with financial support from both the State of Michigan and the City of Muskegon. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to economic growth, tourism expansion, and long-term community investment.
Notably, key project partners are participating as equity investors, reinforcing confidence in the project’s long-term success.
- Wolverine Construction – General Contractor
- Henrickson Architecture – Architect
- Schahet Hotels – Hotel Operator
Construction began last month with completion anticipated in mid-2027. Once complete, the Element Muskegon is expected to serve as a flagship hospitality asset for the region—supporting tourism, activating the waterfront, and setting the stage for future development within Harbor 31 and beyond.
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About Great Lakes Capital:
Great Lakes Capital is a real estate development and private equity firm uniquely positioned to add value to real estate investments through development and opportunistic investment across the real estate spectrum and throughout the capital structure. Headquartered in Indiana, with over $1 billion in assets under management and development, GLC concentrates on several core asset classes, including mixed-use, multifamily, hospitality, industrial, medical office and other similar product types. As a market leader in new development, GLC actively addresses the needs of tenant partners in addition to speculative development meeting needs the market has not yet reacted to. For more information, please visit: www.greatlakescapital.com.
About Wolverine Construction:
Founded in 1939, Wolverine Construction is one of Michigan’s most trusted and experienced construction companies. The company specializes in industrial, multi-unit residential, healthcare, office, restaurant and recreational construction. Wolverine is a nationally recognized leader in design-build and construction management. For more information, please visit www.wolverineconstruction.com.
About Schahet Hotels:
Founded in 1962 by Sam Schahet, Schahet Hotels, LLC is a driven hotel management company committed to living the hospitality culture that excels in associate development, guest experiences and investor returns. To learn more about Schahet Hotels, LLC. and their other managed properties and/or consulting services, visit www.schahethotels.com.
About Henrickson Architecture:
Henrickson Architecture is an Architecture and Planning Firm that uses a client centered commonsense approach to design. We blend beautiful and functional building solutions while maintaining strict budgets and honoring condensed project schedules. Our work spans multiple industries primarily operating in a cooperative design-build delivery approach. For more information, please visit https://www.henricksonap.com/.