PROJECT DETAILS:
- Project Type: Commercial, 2 Model 5 Outdoor Saunas, 5-person Custom Mobile Sauna
- Location: Hancock, Michigan
- Capacity: Groups of up to 15 people in three saunas
- Finishes & Features:
- Model 5 – Arbor Wood Co. thermally-modified ash exterior cladding, under bench LED lighting, Huum Wi-Fi enabled electric stove, matte black hardware
- Model 5 – Arbor Wood Co. thermally-modified burnt pine exterior cladding, under bench LED lighting, IKI wood-fired sauna stove, matte black hardware
- Mini Mobile Sauna – Huum wood-fired stove, Arbor Wood Co. thermally-modified exterior cladding
- Water wall of four outdoor showers – Custom-built by Cedar & Stone
- Local art mural designed by Rebecca Paavo Art
- Modern and sustainable outdoor all-weather furniture by Duluth-based Loll Designs
Project Story
Lynn and Jason Makela have learned in, lived in, and loved in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.
After chasing careers out west, Jason’s first entrepreneurial quest, Orbion Space Technology, called them back to the UP. Lynn was also inspired by using the medium of business to build their new community in Houghton/Hancock, and soon started up 1Q1 Quincy Coworking.
So what’s all this got to do with sauna you ask?
For those unfamiliar, much like Northern Minnesota, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is filled with a rich Finnish and Scandinavian culture after many immigrated to this area of the country.
Jason grew up in and out of his grandparents sauna in Misery Bay, who brought this cultural gift over with them on their pilgrimage from Finland to the UP.
It didn’t take long back in sauna country to inspire them to start up a new type of business.
They first launched Fresh Coast Cabins, a 27-acre property is home to nine cabins ranging from rustic to renovated, nestled into the Lake Superior shoreline just south of Michigan’s Copper Harbor.
The sauna they added to this property, now known as Takka Superior, was a natural extension of the guest experience they aimed to create, providing rest and respite while offering a panoramic view of the lake and nature that surrounds it. This flagship sanctuary is where their passion was first kindled, marking the beginning of a legacy in authentic sauna experiences.
They knew that to expand and keep up with thier community’s passion for sauna they would need to choose the right partner to bring experience and knowledge to ramp up their next location quicker.
And so Takka Portage was born.
Creating social wellness through Nordic sauna
What started as a dream and an overhead shot from Google maps, quickly became so much more. “Justin’s vision really helped inform what might be possible with Cedar & Stone,” Lynn shared. “The initial seed planting sparked so many great conversations with our city, that they even changed the zoning (and quickly) for our facility to exist. They’re also working with us to add a natural cold plunge to further enhance the experience.”
“Leveraging the knowledge of Cedar & Stone to help share what’s possible with our community really made the logistics so much easier than if we had tried to envision and create this on our own.”
They weren’t just a vendor—they became part of our team, always ready to roll up their sleeves and brainstorm with us.”
Opened in October 2024 and set against the backdrop of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Hancock, Michigan, Takka Portage embodies a haven of warmth and community, carrying forward the tradition of creating authentic sauna experiences to a brand new location.
“Partnering with Cedar & Stone to bring our vision for Takka Saunas to life was an absolute pleasure. They weren’t just a vendor—they became part of our team, always ready to roll up their sleeves and brainstorm with us. When challenges popped up (as they always do in a big project), they were right there, working through solutions to create a mindful experience that we are excited to share with our community.”
“A huge thanks to Justin and Joel, and a shoutout to Micah and the whole Cedar & Stone team for helping us pull off a beautiful grand opening with last-minute requests. The entire team’s commitment really shows the value of having the right partners to make things happen.”
This property features three sauna spaces, two Model 5 saunas (one electric and one wood-fired), a mobile sauna, a custom water wall with bucket and waterfall showers for cold immersion, multiple areas for rest and relaxation around fire pits, and a gorgeous mural painted by local artist Rebecca Paavo.
Follow along with Takka Saunas at: https://www.instagram.com/takkasaunas/
Feeling inspired? Learn more about how we’re building these saunas and reserve yours.
Learn With Us
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur looking for guidance on joining the sauna movement in North America and beyond, we invite you to learn more about the Sauna Business Accelerator program and sign up for a free introductory call with our team: https://cedarandstonesauna.com/sauna-business-accelerator/
