Walk through the front doors of the building at 52 Stafford in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and you’re basically stepping into a time machine that can’t quite decide which decade it likes best. For years, this was the legendary 52 Stafford Irish Inn. It was the kind of place where you’d grab a Guinness, listen to a fiddle player, and feel like you were in a Dublin pub despite being in the heart of "The Cheese Capital of the World." But things are changing fast. If you’ve driven through downtown Plymouth lately, you’ve probably seen the scaffolding.
The spot at 52 Stafford Street isn't just a hotel anymore; it’s the centerpiece of the most massive private investment in the history of the Plymouth Historic District. We're talking about a $16 million transformation. The Gentine family—the folks behind the Sargento cheese empire—bought the place and they aren't just slapping on a new coat of paint. They are gutting, restoring, and rebranding the whole block into what will soon be known as the Henry Christopher Hotel.
Why This Particular Corner Matters
Honestly, if these walls could talk, they’d probably start by correcting the local history books. The building was originally known as the Hotel Laack, built in 1892 by Henry Christopher Laack. He was a German immigrant’s son who clearly had an eye for real estate. He picked a site right across from the Plymouth Cheese Exchange. Back then, that exchange set the cheese prices for the entire country. Imagine a bunch of 19th-century businessmen arguing over the price of cheddar while salesmen set up shop in "sample rooms" on the hotel's ground floor.
It eventually became 52 Stafford in the 1980s, leaning heavily into an Irish theme that defined the town’s social scene for decades. It was widely regarded as the longest-continuously operated hotel in Wisconsin. That's a huge title to hold. But when the doors closed recently, people were genuinely worried. You don't just let a Queen Anne-style landmark with that much "Cream City" brick heritage just crumble into the Mullet River.
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The $16 Million Face-Lift (And What’s Actually Happening)
So, what is the "Laack Block" actually going to look like when the dust settles in 2026? It’s going to be a 35-room boutique hotel. That’s a significant jump from the 19 rooms the old Irish Inn used to house. The Gentines are working with the Wisconsin Historical Society to make sure they don't accidentally "renovate away" the soul of the building.
- The Vibe: They’re calling it "Nostalgia and Comfort." Expect less "kitsch" and more high-end restoration.
- The Food: There will be a full-scale restaurant and bar.
- The Extras: There are talks of a rooftop bar—which would be a game-changer for downtown Plymouth—and potentially a spa.
- The Entrance: The main lobby is moving to the Stafford Street side to better anchor the building's flow.
The construction crew actually found old hand-painted advertisements on what used to be exterior walls during the demolition phase. Sadly, those won't stay visible in the final build because of modern insulation and structural needs, but it’s a cool reminder of how many layers of history are packed into that 0.1-acre lot.
The Fig, The Pheasant, and the Transition
If you’ve searched for "52 Stafford Plymouth WI" recently, you might have seen names like "The Fig & The Pheasant" pop up. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. After the original Irish Inn era, the property briefly operated under that name with owners Patrick and Ronna. They kept the charm alive for a while, maintaining that classic B&B feel where breakfast was served at your table rather than a sad buffet line.
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But now, the Henry Christopher Hotel era is the focus. The Gentine family isn't just doing this for the ROI. Louie Gentine mentioned that his mother and his wife both worked at 52 Stafford back in the day. It’s a legacy project. When local billionaires start restoring the pub where their wives used to wait tables, you know the attention to detail is going to be bordering on obsessive.
Is Plymouth Still the "Cheese Capital"?
You can't talk about 52 Stafford without talking about the town itself. Plymouth is a weirdly charming place. It’s got that small-town Americana energy but with a very specific, dairy-scented backbone. Staying at 52 Stafford puts you within walking distance of the "Antoinette" cow statue (it’s a local mascot, you can't miss it) and just a ten-minute drive from Road America in Elkhart Lake.
Most people think of the American Club in Kohler when they think of "fancy Wisconsin stays." And yeah, that place is a five-diamond beast. But 52 Stafford—as the Henry Christopher Hotel—is aiming for something different. It’s trying to be the "local" version of luxury.
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What to Expect if You Visit Soon
Currently, the site is a construction zone. If you’re planning a trip for late 2025 or early 2026, you’re hitting the sweet spot. The project is aiming for a Spring 2026 completion. Until then, you can still explore the downtown historic district, but you won't be able to book a room at 52 Stafford quite yet.
When it does open, expect the prices to be a bit higher than your standard roadside motel. Restoration of this scale is expensive. However, they’ve stated they want the food and beverage options to stay competitive and accessible for locals. Nobody wants a "locals-only" pub to turn into a place where a burger costs thirty bucks.
Practical Steps for Travelers
If you are tracking the progress of 52 Stafford or planning a visit to Plymouth, here is how you should play it. First, don't try to book through the old Irish Inn or Fig & Pheasant websites; those are essentially ghost sites now.
Keep an eye on the official "Laack Block" announcements. The Gentine family typically releases updates through local Sheboygan County news outlets like the Plymouth Review or WHBL. If you need a place to stay right now, look at the AmericInn or the 52 Stafford Guest House listings that might still be active for nearby properties, but be aware that the main historic building is strictly off-limits to guests during the rebuild.
Plan your visit around the 2026 season. With the completion slated for that spring, you’ll be the first to experience the rooftop bar (if it makes the final cut) and the brand-new 35-room layout. In the meantime, visit the Plymouth Historical Society just down the road. They have a mural of the old "Plank Road" that shows what this area looked like in the 1850s, which gives you a great perspective on why saving 52 Stafford was so important to the community in the first place.