Transforming a Former Bowling Alley into a Social Hub and Duckpin Bowling Venue

Written by SEH | August 23, 2023

Challenge

The owners of Pigeon Hill Brewing Company were ready to create another dynamic addition to downtown Muskegon. Although they originally purchased the historic building to house their expanding brewing operations, they envisioned converting the former Michigan Bowling Center into a space with a more visual connection to the rapidly growing Western Avenue Social District. The original building had drop ceilings hiding the beautifully constructed vaulted roof structure, restrooms along the main Western Avenue wall, and small windows painted over for several years.

Solution

SEH architects worked with Pigeon Hill Brewing to transform the 10,000 sq. ft. 1930s brick building with timber bowstring roof trusses into a trendy new bar and restaurant called Socibowl. To improve visibility with the thriving Western Avenue street front, an eight-foot-tall section of the 100 ft. long masonry wall was removed to add custom-made accordion windows, a large steel canopy for outdoor dining, and new glass entry doors. A single ft. drop in the floor from the street front to the back alley was eliminated on the interior to provide barrier-free access to six new lanes for duckpin bowling and a beer garden. A large commercial kitchen was added along the western party wall, and a new industrial lift was installed to store kegs in a large cooler in the basement. Two street-front suites were added to the east end of the building with access to the main Socibowl suite and restrooms, allowing for future flexibility. One suite currently houses the arcade operated by Socibowl. Dubbed “a big kids’ wonderland,” this new multi-purpose space is now infused with social activities, adding to the bustling downtown atmosphere.

Awards

2023 Best Bar/Lounge in the U.S. Division of the Annual Bowling Center and Architectural Design Awards by Bowling Center Magazine

Project
Socibowl by Pigeon Hill

Location
Muskegon, Michigan

Client
PH Holdings, LLC

Features

Six lanes for duckpin bowling
Custom-crafted bar
Biergarten
Arcade
Darts, pinball, and yard games
Configuration of building layout and systems to highlight historic bowstring trusses
Complete demolition of street-front façade to introduce natural light and connect the dining space to the Western Avenue Social District
Custom-made accordion storefront windows along the street front
Polished concrete floors

Services

Architecture

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