The first thing one should know about the
University Club of MSU’s recent renovation project is that the word “renovation” doesn’t quite cut it.
“It’s a total transformation,” says Karen L. Grannemann, University Club of MSU Chief Operating Officer. “I don’t even like to use the word ‘renovation.’”
The $1 million transformation took the 6,000 square foot area on the club’s upper level that was previously a cocktail area and the vacant Shibui Room and turned it
into an upscale, modern restaurant and bar.
“It looks like a hip restaurant in New York,” Grannemann says. “It has stunning glass features, colored LED lighting, wifi and more.”
The restaurant, called Mingle, and the bar, called Mixx, were updates made in accordance with the University Club’s regular rotation of renovations.
“Every few years we tackle a new section of the club,” say Grannemann. “We like to keep things fresh for our members.”
The project was funded entirely with University Club reserves and voluntary donations made by some of the club’s nearly 1,600 member families. To date, members have donated $100,000 toward the updated spaces. The project was completed with nearly a dozen Michigan-based contractors, from architecture to logo design.
A new look and place to dine aren’t the only benefits of Mingle and Mixx. The upgrades allowed the University Club to expand their programming and add approximately 20 staff members. Between this growth and regular seasonal staff, the club has recently hired 40 new workers.
Source: Karen L. Grannemann, University Club of MSU
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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