Sportif will be taking ownership of the historic Grill House property in Allegan, Michigan. The current site includes the Rock Bottom Bar with foundations dating back to the 1830’s, the Grill House Restaurant which has been showcased on the Food Channel, and the impressive Silo Banquet Center. The property extends back 24 acres into the surrounding woods and is poised to receive new life under the Sportif brand.
The upper level features the main restaurant, The Grill House. Since the early 2000’s, this unique steakhouse has offered groups of diners the chance to grill their own steaks under the supervision of an expert Grill Master. This hands-on experience attracted the attention of the Food Network and the Grill Room is still a great opportunity for cooking classes and grilling parties. In addition to the Grill Room, there are many dining rooms, tavern, and outdoor dining for people who’d rather the professionals cook their food. Throughout the summer live music fills the yard and people enjoy the dining swings.
Nevertheless, the whole restaurant is showing its age and could use a fresh redesign to attract the next generation of diners who will come to our Club House.
The original foundations of this old farmhouse can still be seen from the 1830’s. This bar has been cozy den for generations of locals. In addition to a bar, it has its own independent kitchen and fireplace.
In our new concept, we will continue bearing witness to the past while transforming this into a lounge for our members and their guests.
The Silo Banquet Center is currently one of the premier event venues in Allegan and the surrounding area. This event spaces boasts a great room that can hold around 400 people and can be partitioned into two rooms for smaller events. There is a massive kitchen out of which they run their catering business, in addition to feeding events in the hall. Private bridal suites, a lower lounge, offices, and balcony make this facility truly full-service.
Given the rise of event spaces in the area and competition over event rates, we’re planning on redeveloping some of this massive space into a spa for our members. This building can accommodate massage, fitness, sauna, juice bar, all while still having plenty of space left over for larger member gatherings and private events.
The Grill House’s features easily accessible, yet secluded 24 acres. It’s located on the main road M-40, which allows our members to visit downtown Allegan, just minutes away. Meanwhile, the property itself stretches back into the woods, creating a natural sense of peace and reconnection with nature.
Our luxury cabins and tents will be nestled in the woods. Trail hikes, trail rides with our neighboring horse farm, visits to the greenhouse, archery, shooting, as well as hunting and fishing opportunities are all experiences we can offer to our guests staying at the new Sportif location.
Allegan is a historic town that has kept its charm while also modernizing its infrastructure. The charming riverfront architecture now includes a stage for a successful summer music concert series, other community events throughout the year, and one of the biggest New Years Eve ball drops in Michigan. The Griswold Auditorium and Regent Theater offers several indoor stages for plays, concerts, variety shows, and film showings. In terms of food and drink, the entire downtown is a social district which features three breweries, a winery, and new restaurants for guests to enjoy during their stay. While always being a bit of a hidden gem for artists, the community is readying itself to become the greatest arts and wellness resort town in the area.
It is equidistant to many other important cities in Southwest Michigan. In 45 minutes or less you can be in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland, Saugatuck, or South Haven. Guests and members who stay at our Sportif lodgings can enjoy a central location to explore all that Southwest Michigan has to offer.
Members of our Sportif founding team have grown up in Allegan and seen it change over the decades. Clearly, it is about to come into its own. Sportif has already begun conversations with the major players in the city to make sure you’ll be on the cutting edge of what Allegan becomes.
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