A New Chapter in Duluth Hospitality
Dragëstil Aparthotel represents something never before seen in Duluth. It is the city’s first ground upapartment style aimed AirBNB’s, built on Park Point and inspired by Scandinavian design. The project blends intentional community integration with a philosophy of craft lodging that meets the experience the modern traveling family desires.
From its earliest inspiration, the beloved “little dragon house” on Park Point, to its final construction, Dragëstil has been about creating a project that values story, detail, and scale.
“We wanted to create a hotel that really fit the Park Point community and the local architecture.” .
Inspiration and Vision
The team behind Dragëstil has always sought projects that are out of the ordinary. Real estate comes in many forms, and boutique lodging has been interesting as of late. After years of managing vacation rentals across the northland, Heirloom founder Mike Schraepfer wanted to build something intentional.
The influence came directly from the dragon inspired house on Park Point (Pictured Above). That home, built in the early 1990s, was designed with inspiration from “Dragestil,” a Scandinavian architectural style popular in the late nineteenth century. The style is known for its intricate details, dramatic rooflines, and dragon shaped finials that decorated churches, boathouses, and other community landmarks in Norway & Sweden.
By bringing those elements into the aparthotel design, the project honors Duluth’s Scandinavian roots while offering guests an experience that feels both historic and modern.
Dragëstil also fits into Heirloom’s larger vision for development in the region. The company has a reputation for creating projects that are deeply thoughtful, rooted in place, and focused on long term community impact. This aparthotel represents the latest chapter in that story.
Fitting Into Duluth’s Hospitality Landscape
Duluth has seen rapid growth in tourism. Canal Park, Skyline Parkway, Spirit Mountain, and Lake Superior trails bring visitors from across the country. With that growth has come new hotels and a surge in short term rentals. Yet most of those options exist at two extremes: large chain hotels or scattered houses and apartments listed online.
Dragëstil fills a niche between the two. As a purpose built aparthotel, it combines the flexibility and space of an apartment with the professional management and consistency of a hotel. With twelve curated apartments in total, it is intentionally small in scale.
The design process was guided by one central principle: fit. From the beginning the developers wanted the building to belong on Park Point rather than overwhelm it.
“We could have made the project much larger but we wanted it to feel like it belonged,” Schraepfer explained.
This respect for the surrounding neighborhood shaped every decision. The aparthotel was scaled to match the footprint of nearby homes and designed with a Scandinavian influence that feels appropriate for the area. The goal was not only to add a unique lodging capacity to Duluth but to do so in a way that neighbors and community members could appreciate.
The Guest Experience
Dragëstil is designed to offer more than a place to sleep. It is meant to provide the comforts of home to a family with the character of a boutique stay.
There are nine two bedroom apartments, each around 1,200 square feet, and three one bedroom apartments. Every unit is equipped with a full kitchen, living area, and custom furnishings. The layouts allow for both short term visitors and extended stays, giving flexibility to travelers, families, and small groups who want more space than a standard hotel room.
What sets the aparthotel apart are the details. Each kitchen includes a waterfall island made from massive siberian elm trees dating back to the 1890s. These islands, designed and handcrafted by the carpenters of Heirloom, give guests a direct connection to local history and craftsmanship. Furnishings throughout the building were also custom made, ensuring the space feels curated rather than mass produced.
Even the guest journey before arrival has been considered. Guests are introduced to the location with aerial drone footage that highlights the building’s proximity to Canal Park, Lake Superior, and the iconic lift bridge. This creates anticipation and frames the aparthotel within the broader Duluth experience.
Once on site, guests are greeted with views of the harbor and the chance to watch ships pass by. The apartments are designed to maximize natural light and emphasize the connection to the lake. Every element works together to create a space that feels handcrafted and rooted in the community.
Design and Atmosphere
The name “Dragëstil” was chosen deliberately to connect the project with its architectural roots. Dragestil architecture, developed in Norway in the late 1800s, incorporated Viking motifs, stave church designs, and dragon inspired details.
On Park Point, residents long remembered the dragon house that drew attention for its unusual design that was once scattered throughout Duluth. the Dragon House became a neighborhood landmark and a symbol of Duluth’s creative spirit. Looking further back at Duluth’s history the Park Point boat house and beach house were build in the dragestil at the turn of the century. By reviving the dragestil influence in a new form, the aparthotel connects to that legacy.
Inside, the atmosphere is one of warmth, craftsmanship, and intentional design. Materials were selected for durability and character. The goal was not only to build a modern lodging option but to create a place that felt timeless, as if it had always belonged on Park Point.
Community and Challenges
Building on Park Point is never easy. The harbor side of the point is largely composed of fill rather than natural dune. This created unstable soil conditions that required significant work before construction could begin. Large portions of the ground were removed and replaced with stable material to ensure the building had a secure foundation.
The development also faced concerns from neighbors. Any new construction can be met with hesitation, especially in a community as close knit as Park Point. The developers worked to ease those concerns by carefully studying the scale and footprint of similar buildings throughout Duluth.
“We drove around the city to see how similar scale projects looked and felt,” Schraepfer recalled. “That gave us confidence we were building something that would fit.”
By engaging with the community and designing thoughtfully, Heirloom was able to move forward with a project that residents could support. The end result is a building that not only serves guests but is also admired by countless neighbors along Park Point.
Heirloom’s Approach
For Heirloom Property Management, Dragëstil reflects the company’s philosophy of thoughtful development. The team brings together expertise in construction, design, vacation rental management, and property maintenance. By keeping these functions under one roof, Heirloom ensures consistency and quality throughout the project lifecycle.
The aparthotel is also part of Heirloom’s commitment to craft experiences. Just as craft breweries elevate beer through attention to detail and creativity, Heirloom aims to elevate lodging by curating spaces that feel personal and memorable. Dragëstil is one of the clearest expressions of that idea.
Looking Ahead
Dragëstil demonstrates what can happen when design, history, and community come together.
For Heirloom, the project represents both an accomplishment and a starting point. It shows what is possible when developers take the time to listen, study, and build with intention. The lessons learned on Park Point can shape future projects across Duluth and beyond.
The aparthotel also offers a glimpse of where hospitality is headed. Travelers are increasingly seeking spaces that feel authentic and rooted in local culture. Dragëstil provides that, combining the freedom of an apartment with the professionalism of hotel management.
“This is just the beginning,” Schraepfer said. “Our hope is that Dragëstil inspires more projects that put Duluth on the map for unique and meaningful hospitality.”
