The targeted opening window for a major redevelopment project has come and gone in downtown Fennville, but work is expected to ramp up soon at the Wine Trail Inn.
The DePrees of Holland — including Deanna, Hopwood, Dori and Dana — are in the process of restoring the former Stevens Hotel. Upon completion, the building will reportedly include a boutique hotel with suites, single and double rooms, a restaurant and bar, a speakeasy and an event space.
The family initially hoped to open over the summer, but representatives are now looking toward 2027.
In addition to facing extreme winter weather and structural challenges on the building’s porch, the family needed to find a new contractor, according to DePree. They’ve hired EV Construction.
“For us, it’s really important for the renovation team to know what they’re doing, (to) understand that’s it’s an historic building rather than building something from scratch,” DePree told The Sentinel.
“We’re looking forward to starting work this month and working through the winter to get the project up and ready,” said EV Construction’s VP of Project Development John Parker. “When we get to revive something that’s historic … we’re definitely excited about doing that.”
“With an historic building, you never know what you’re going to come across as you go through,” DePree said. “But we’re in good hands with EV.”
