In This Article
The Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan, is one of the most popular destinations in the Upper Peninsula. To expand its reach, the Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Council approved a major hospitality construction project: a brand-new 12-story tower featuring 138 guest rooms, a rooftop restaurant, meeting spaces, and a full-service pool with water park features.
This kind of new hotel construction requires more than just a strong structure and stylish interiors. It needs expertly designed and installed hospitality plumbing systems to ensure reliable service, guest comfort, and health and safety. From water supply lines to sewer systems and hot and cold water distribution, plumbing plays a critical role in keeping commercial properties running smoothly.
Hurckman Mechanical Industries was chosen to handle the complete plumbing scope. Our team delivered smart solutions, on-time execution, and high-quality systems. Hurckman was awarded the 2022 BUILD Wisconsin Award in the Specialty Contractor – Plumbing category, one of the state’s top AGC awards for excellence in construction.
Image courtesy of Club and Resort Business
The Plumbing Challenges of Tall Hospitality Buildings
The new tower added more than space; it introduced complexity. At 124,000 square feet and 12 stories tall, this was one of the largest hotel construction projects in the region.
Our team had to lift and install 145 toilets, sinks, showers, and over three miles of piping up 12 floors. A large skip hoist was used to safely transport materials while staying on schedule and reducing on-site congestion.
The tower was built with Spancrete, a precast concrete system that includes internal tension cables for support. These cables varied in position throughout the structure, making it impossible to standardize plumbing layouts. Our commercial plumbers developed custom routing plans for each space, ensuring systems met building codes and avoided costly errors.
One of the biggest concerns in hospitality plumbing is maintaining water pressure in taller buildings. Pressure drops as water rises, which can affect everything from guest showers to kitchen sinks. Hurckman installed a booster pump system on the fifth floor to deliver a consistent 45 psi of water pressure to the upper floors, ensuring dependable performance throughout the tower.
Image courtesy of Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan
Smart Planning Prevented Costly Mistakes
To ensure efficient installation and system performance, Hurckman created two full-size hospitality room mockups on the third floor. These included hot and cold water lines, fixtures, stainless steel piping, sewer lines, and backflow prevention components. The mockups allowed every trade to test layouts and identify conflicts before building out the entire tower.
Across the project, our team drilled over 1,500 core holes for pipe routing. We installed pipe clamps and brackets at every floor to evenly distribute the weight and reduce stress on the system. For high-traffic areas like the rooftop restaurant and pool spaces, we used a mix of stainless steel and PVC piping to balance strength and efficiency.
One standout challenge came from the pool locker rooms. The water park design included ceiling-mounted rain cloud showers. As a trusted water park builder, Hurckman found a creative solution using stainless steel brackets to drop water lines safely from the high ceilings and support the specialty plumbing components.
During construction:
After construction:
Image courtesy of Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan
Cost-Effective Plumbing for a Complex Hospitality Project
Hurckman prefabricated many sections of the plumbing system at our Green Bay facility. This cut down on waste, saved time on-site, and helped improve safety and quality control. In addition, all scrap metal was recycled, supporting environmentally responsible hospitality construction practices.
The entire plumbing system—including water lines, sewer lines, grease waste systems, and storm drains—was installed without BIM software. Instead, Hurckman relied on detailed blueprints, daily collaboration, and decades of field experience to deliver results.
Award-Winning Results That Power the Guest Experience
The tower opened in winter 2021, providing modern guest rooms, expanded dining, and new family attractions, all supported by efficient, reliable hospitality plumbing systems.
Our plumbing work ensures:
- Hot and cold water supply for every room
- Booster pump systems for consistent water pressure
- Safe, code-compliant sewer line and grease waste connections
- Backflow prevention to protect the water supply
- Cost-effective materials and systems that reduce maintenance needs
The project was honored with the 2022 BUILD Wisconsin Award in the Specialty Contractor – Plumbing category, highlighting Hurckman’s commitment to quality and innovation in commercial plumbing systems.
Why Hurckman Is the Right Partner for Hospitality Plumbing
Hurckman Mechanical Industries brings deep expertise in plumbing in commercial buildings and hospitality plumbing systems. Whether you’re building a hotel, casino, resort, or mixed-use development, our team has the experience to deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective results.
Our commercial plumbers provide:
- Full plumbing system design and installation
- Water supply and sewer line connections
- Stainless steel and PVC piping options
- Booster pumps and backflow prevention
- Maintenance and repair services for long-term performance
We work closely with general contractors and property owners to meet tight schedules, strict codes, and high guest expectations.
Planning a Hospitality Construction Project? Let’s Talk.
Plumbing is one of the most important systems in any hospitality space. At Hurckman, we help you get it right from the start.
If you’re planning new hotel construction, a renovation, or expanding an existing property, contact Hurckman today. Our award-winning team is ready to deliver expert plumbing solutions for your next project.
Want to See the Finished Project?
The Island Resort & Casino continues to grow as a leading destination in Harris, Michigan. The new hospitality tower is now open to guests and features upgraded rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and expanded amenities.
To explore the property or book a stay, visit the official site: Island Resort and Casino
