A historic property in the Shawano County town of Herman could become an event venue and hotel, according to NEW Media Inc.
The mansion, originally built as a residence, became the Alexian Brothers Novitiate and eventually moved through a series of owners after the monastery was closed in 1968. It has been vacant for decades, but the current owners now have plans to turn it into a hotel and event center.
David Gilman, representing owner Ethan Fernhaber and his company, Renewing Management, detailed the renovation plans Feb. 4 in front of the Shawano County Planning, Development and Zoning Committee.
The zoning change request covers the mansion and the immediate area around it, for about three-quarters of an acre, for use as a hotel.
“In our interpretation, it’s going to be an event center where you would have various events like weddings, receptions, retirements, retreats, and then there are 13 individual suites that could be leased or rented,” Gilman said.
A conditional use permit was also requested to allow for outdoor activities in conjunction with indoor events. This could include tents, tables, seating, deck platforms and food and beverage carts.
The mansion, with its four floors, would be remodeled extensively.
“The basement will be remodeled to have a lounge, rec room, home theater, obviously a mechanical room, laundry rooms, a couple multipurpose rooms and then bathrooms,” Gilman said. “The first level would have a great room where the fireplace is, a dining area, a kitchen, a foyer and bathrooms.”
The kitchen would be a staging kitchen, not a prep kitchen, as food would be catered in for events.
“On the second level, we’ll have seven suites, and then on the third level, we’ll have six suites,” Gilman said.
Plans also include guest parking, including a paved parking area compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act by the buildings. Cul-de-sacs branch out from the main area and could be the site of a future development for tiny homes. Fernhaber has a tiny-home manufacturing plant in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Gilman said that in addition to county approval, owners need to obtain permits and authorizations for septic work, a well, state building codes for commercial structures, drainage, civil engineering work and more.
“It’s going to take most of 2026 to get through all the permits and approvals that are going to be required,” he said. “The construction itself will probably take another year, maybe a year and half, so we’re looking at about a two-year process to get this ready.”
The full Shawano County Board will vote on the change at an upcoming meeting.
