Location
Mackinac Island, MI
Original Construction
1780’s
Construction Cost
$2,000,000
Size
3,000 sqft; 5,950 sqft addition
Completion Date
2008

The Mustang Lounge was built in the 1780’s, likely as a fur-trading and retail structure.  Through field investigation it has been determined that the original building was constructed using logs in a French-Canadian construction technique known as “piece on piece joined by mortise and tenon”.  Over the years the building had become a local institution, in effect the community's “meeting place and watering hole”.  It was very important to the new owners to maintain this unique sense of place for Mackinac Island residents and tourists.

HopkinsBurns designed the restoration and reuse of the original building and incorporated a 2,600 square foot addition to continue its use as a bar and restaurant.  On its main floor, the original building houses the bar, restaurant, and outdoor dining space while that of the addition consists of service support for the dining facility (kitchen and toilet rooms), stairs to the second floor and basement, and expanded seating in the area, currently known as Astor Street Café. The second and third floors of the 3,550 square foot addition consist of two two-story apartments for the owners.  The upper level of the original Mustang Lounge building is utilized for staff housing, with access from the second floor of the addition. 

Construction was completed during the 2007 winter construction season, with a grand reopening in May 2008.