Hope College’s Haworth Inn and Conference Center, adjacent to downtown Holland, is undergoing a complete renovation that will debut in just a few months. The transformational project includes all conference and hotel rooms, rebuilding the lobby and creating a full-service coffee shop that will be open to students and the public. This project is made possible through a gift from Haworth and has been led by Patricia Urquiola, an award-winning designer and architect based in Milan, Italy, who has worked with the company for several years.

“We’re grateful for Haworth’s ongoing partnership with Hope, which is a prime example of how the college and area organizations can work together not only to provide an exceptional educational experience for Hope’s students but to enhance the quality of life in Holland and West Michigan,” said the college’s president, Matthew A. Scogin. “The Haworth Inn and Conference Center has been a tremendous resource for both Hope and the community. With this latest support from Haworth, this facility will be an even more inviting destination for guests and events and will also serve as a welcome center and a gathering space for Hope alumni.”

The Haworth Inn and Conference Center work began in November and the facility is currently closed. Guest rooms, located on the building’s second and third floors, and the main-floor lobby will reopen in May. The coffee shop and conference spaces will be phased in during the summer.

  • Rendering of the renovated lobby of Hope College’s Haworth Inn and Conference Center, featuring modern furniture, a reception desk, and a café area. The space is designed with contemporary decor, including a mix of blue and orange seating, wooden tables, and hanging plants.Reception and cafe
  • Reception area of the Haworth Inn and Conference Center at Hope College, featuring a modern design with a terrazzo reception desk, comfortable seating areas with light green and orange chairs, pendant lighting, a spiral staircase, and large windows providing a view of the outdoor greenery.Common Areas
  • A modern, well-lit lobby with high ceilings at the Haworth Inn and Conference Center. The space features contemporary furniture in muted tones, including chairs, sofas, and tables arranged on a patterned rug. Greenery in pots adds a touch of nature, and wall sconces provide additional lighting. The walls are adorned with sleek paneling, and "Haworth Inn" is prominently displayed on the back wall.Common Areas
  • A modern hotel room with two twin beds featuring wooden headboards and individual reading lamps. The room is decorated with minimalist furniture, including a small round table, a chair, a bench with a cushion, and a desk with a lamp. The walls are adorned with abstract artwork and a large wall-mounted TV. The aesthetic is clean and contemporary, with a neutral color palette.Double Queen Guest Room
  • An architectural rendering of the renovated entrance to Hope College’s Haworth Inn and Conference Center. The entrance features a modern design with wooden pillars, a shaded canopy adorned with hanging plants, and outdoor seating with blue cushions. Two people are walking near the entrance. The building exterior is made of light-colored brick with large windows.Entrance
  • A cross-sectional rendering of the newly renovated Haworth Inn and Conference Center at Hope College. The image showcases a modern interior design with open spaces, a spiral staircase, meeting rooms, and various seating areas. The lower level includes a cafe, while the upper level features additional conference and guest rooms.Full plan layout

The Haworth Inn and Conference Center will further evolve as a community resource and create a design destination in Holland. The space features:

  • meeting and banquet facilities totaling more than 10,000 square feet and 13 conference rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 400;
  • 48 guestrooms featuring Haworth products;
  • a fitness facility for hotel guests;
  • touchdown workspaces, as well as social spaces throughout the lobby;
  • a gift shop featuring Hope- and Holland-themed apparel and memorabilia; 

The Haworth Inn and Conference Center, which faces College Avenue between 9th and 10th streets, opened 23 years ago and was crafted to serve as a bridge between the Hope campus and downtown Holland. That role is receiving renewed emphasis, with the coffee shop intended not only for hotel and conference guests but for members of the Hope and Holland communities and other visitors to the area. In addition, the building will serve a new purpose as a welcome center for visitors to the college including alumni, community members and prospective students.

“The Haworth Inn and Conference Center has always been a focal point for mixing students, community residents, local organizations and businesses together. We are tremendously excited about this becoming an even more engaging place to share ideas and collaborate,” said Dick Haworth, Chairman Emeritus. “We are thrilled to have Patricia Urquiola design the space and be able to use the inn for Haworth guests to experience Holland, Michigan. This space will also help with attraction and retention for both Haworth and Hope.”

Patricia Urquiola and her studio led the design efforts and bring extensive experience in retail, product and hospitality spaces. A designer and architect born in Oviedo, Spain, Urquiola now lives and works in Milan. She is internationally known for playful and poetic products and spaces that are still pragmatic and functional. This creative combination is the magic behind her work and unique, European flair. The project at Hope is Urquiola’s first installation in Michigan – some of her recent installations include Vogue headquarters, Italy’s first Starbucks and a BMW showroom. The layered audience that uses the Haworth Inn and Conference Center provided unique opportunities in designing the renovated space. The result is an innovative, warm, playful, smart and sophisticated balance of multiple brand experiences.

“This project really is a win-win-win for the college, community and Haworth,” said Kurt VanderSchuur, Haworth’s global brand director. “We want this facility to serve the community and coordinate beautifully with a visit to our HQ. We are known for offices and this provides an opportunity to engage our product solutions in a living hospitality environment.”

“I want to take a moment to recognize how lucky we are in downtown Holland,” added Butch TerHaar, owner of Butch’s Dry Dock. “Not only do we enjoy visitors from around the world for Tulip Time and our beautiful summers, but we also see a significant number of people that are here for corporate business and Hope College. This renovation brings a new design element to our downtown and we are truly excited to see it.”

Haworth’s support continues a long tradition of engagement with Hope, a connection reflected in the name of the facility, which opened in January 1997. Hope named the building after Haworth in honor of donations to the college’s endowment.

Additional architectural design for the Haworth Inn and Conference Center is provided by GMB Architecture + Engineering of Holland and the general contractor is Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. of Grand Rapids. The total project cost is approximately $7.5 million.

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