Partners Steve Surbaugh (left) and Mike Larson have been continually busy over the past few years growing their business as they add more workforce housing and office space to the area. Recently they held an open house in Lutsen to commemorate their latest project located next to Clearview.
Mike Larson and Steve Surbaugh continue to grow Cascade Vacation Rentals (CVR), adding new offices and housing for employees. They held an open house for the public recently to showcase their new additions.
“Our office in Lutsen recently completed its second remodel and makeover in just three short years,” said Larson. “I had the earlier office designed to house Moondance Coffee House with the Lutsen Lodging Company and Lutsen Real Estate Group occupying the second level.
“In early 2015, Moondance closed, leaving the lower level of the Lutsen office vacant. During the same year, Lutsen Lodging Company merged with Cascade Vacation Rentals (CVR) and continued to operate from the two office locations, the former Cascade Vacation Rental office in Tofte, and the office in Lutsen. As a result of continued growth in managed properties, real estate sales and with addition of new year-round staff to accompany this growth, combined with the vacant space left by Moondance, CVR decided to close its Tofte office and remodel the Lutsen office. Eight new private office spaces were created combined with a conference room, front desk/lobby area and employee break room.”
But the business quickly outgrew the new space, said Larson.
“CVR continued to grow its business and add year-round staff and shortly, and once again, found itself short on office space. Now enlisting the help of John Abbot, architect, and part-time Lutsen resident with the creative eye of local builder Roger Westerlind and building owner Jeff Latz, this trio added seven new office spaces. Local metal artisan Brad Rude topped off the project with a metal fabrication design showcasing the front desk and CVR image.
“The open house was simply a way of saying thanks to the local contractors showcasing their beautiful work alongside the opportunity for the public and business colleagues to see the transformation of this building from what was once an open area coffee shop into 15 offices. CVR believes the final office design influences our biggest assets – and that is the people we employ. We knew that workspace design is critically important and acknowledge that while we shape buildings, they can shape us too! And when there is this positive work environment, we understand that the impact goes well beyond work.
“Secondly, while we were not able to showcase the transformation of CVR’s new building in Grand Marais, the former Norshor building, the open house did provide the opportunity to share some additional information regarding this new project,” Larson said. “Once again, John Abbot was asked to help take a building built in the late 1930s and transform it to reflect and enhance the culture of the Grand Marais community and the CVR culture.
“The lower level of the building remains the same, housing four community based and widely used public and private sector service providers. The upper level was converted into three two-bedroom apartments with an efficiency apartment on the lower level.
Two years ago, CVR built two two-bedroom and two efficiency apartments within their campus building in Lutsen. All total, CVR has added the ability to house over 20 people all serving different needs – housing CVR’s international students, permanent employees, niche-based housing needs, while reaching out to other area employers needing housing as well.”
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