100 Years of History with an Exciting Future.

HISTORY

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FIRST "SKYSCRAPER"

 

Opened in 1918, the 9-story Hackley Union National Bank building stood tall on the corner of Muskegon’s most prominent streets. Residents buzzed about the City’s first “skyscraper”, a high-end bank building that spared no expense, which embodied an era of growth and prosperity. Beginning in 2017, Parkland Properties undertook the restoration and redevelopment of this historic building into Highpoint Flats, an urban community with 47 luxury lakeview residences above 3 levels of office, retail and restaurant space.

CHARLES HACKLEY

 

Arguably no individual has impacted the course of Muskegon more than lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley. Charles came to Muskegon in 1856 to work with his father in the saw mills. After working for a few years as a general labor, then later a scaler and foreman, he became well-known and respected in the logging community.

 

Charles gained specialized knowledge of the interworking of the lumber industry and its incredible potential. With the expansion of the United States westward, Michigan lumber was becoming more critical than ever. Charles became part owner of a saw mail and after years of success, his company was able to purchase more and more mills. Eventually it became one of the largest firms in the country, cutting an average of 30,000,000 feet of lumber each year.

Around the turn of the century, the forest in Michigan were nearly gone and Muskegon was dependent on the fading lumber industry. Charles and other community leaders saw urban revitalization as necessary for the community’s survival and took it upon themselves to create new opportunities. These leaders helped create chambers and other programs that brought new industries to the area, including manufacturing. They also became large scale philanthropists.

 

Over the term of his life, Charles gifted approximately $12,000,000 to the Muskegon area for new infrastructure and community funds (including hospitals, schools, parks, libraries, galleries, athletic fields, and poor and educational fund endowments). Today, these gifts would have a value of over $319,000,000. Charles’ generous gifts and services to his community are considered one of the biggest factors in Muskegon transformation from a small lumber community into a bustling city with diverse industries.

HACKLEY UNION NATIONAL BANK

 

After his death, Charles’ legacy was honored by the opening of the Hackley Union Bank building. Designed by world renown Weary & Alford (who created some of the most iconic bank buildings of their time), this building stood tall on the corner of Muskegon’s most prominent streets – First and Western – and was a beacon of industry. Residents were giddy about the city’s first “skyscraper”. To this day, the building remains the tallest man-made structure in Muskegon County and one of the most noticeable structures in downtown.

 

In the late 1960’s, the building was given a facelift with the white marble and black serpentine that are present today. Beginning in 2017 and into 2018, Parkland Properties undertook the restoration and redevelopment of this building into Highpoint Flats apartments.

 

Filled with original columns, brick walls, a vast curved granite staircase, and two bank vaults from the height of Muskegon industry, this urban community now brings vibrant living to one of Muskegon’s most historic and iconic structures. Residents of Highpoint Flats experience rich history right in their living room.