Medical Mile/Michigan Street Developments

[whitemice]

6 minutes ago, joeDowntown said:

IIRC, these buildings are just outside the boundaries. 

The look inside to me.  The definition of the Norther border of the preservation district is "Southern property lines of Michigan Street.".
That does suck for the owners, although still makes them perfect rental units given Medical Mile's job density.

Double good for those of us north of MIchigan/I-196 as the museum-zone created by Heritage Hill will push development to the north.

[HavingAhoot]

Windows are going in on the old Eastern school building.

[joeDowntown]

8 minutes ago, HavingAhoot said:

Windows are going in on the old Eastern school building.

Sorry if I'm asking a dumb question. Is this the brick building on Fuller?

Joe

[Raildude's dad]

Eastern School is on Eastern (LOL) north of Michigan north of I-196  in a residential neighborhood. Sold by GRPS  a number of years ago.  

[GR_Urbanist]

Good timing on this. Here is a photo I took on Saturday.

[HavingAhoot]

Taken from Highland Park Facebook 

[joeDowntown]

On 9/8/2020 at 9:04 AM, Raildude's dad said:

Eastern School is on Eastern (LOL) north of Michigan north of I-196  in a residential neighborhood. Sold by GRPS  a number of years ago.  

LOL. I was thinking of the building on Fuller that used to be a school. 

The windows look great!

[Raildude's dad]

Fuller south of Fulton, west side?

[wmrharris]

On 9/10/2020 at 8:06 PM, Raildude's dad said:

Fuller south of Fulton, west side?

That's the old Baldwin Christian School. The school migrated to Mayfield, then to Creston (now Wellspring Academy).

[Raildude's dad]

I went to Creston Christian 1955-1965, my dad went to Creston Christian when it was located on Leonard across the street from St Alphonsis. The 2-story apartment complex

[wmrharris]

On 9/13/2020 at 11:34 AM, Raildude's dad said:

I went to Creston Christian 1955-1965, my dad went to Creston Christian when it was located on Leonard across the street from St Alphonsis. The 2-story apartment complex

Same place my in-laws went. But for HS, they went to Creston; it was in walking distance.

[KCorner]

I've always loved this building, but it's probably not the highest/best use of the property with its location next to VAI and the Medical Mile. There's a rendering of a really cool, quite tall flatiron-style building on this site. Would be cool to see the high rise concept reborn. I believe it was Visbeen who did the rendering I saw. No asking price on the listing? Anyone know if there is a price somewhere in the MLS?   https://www.crexi.com/properties/466357/michigan-cornerstone-apartments

[HomePortSupplyCo]

16 minutes ago, KCorner said:

I've always loved this building, but it's probably not the highest/best use of the property with its location next to VAI and the Medical Mile. There's a rendering of a really cool, quite tall flatiron-style building on this site. Would be cool to see the high rise concept reborn. I believe it was Visbeen who did the rendering I saw. No asking price on the listing? Anyone know if there is a price somewhere in the MLS?   https://www.crexi.com/properties/466357/michigan-cornerstone-apartments

Very cool looking building!  Will be interesting to see what it goes for.  Also fun to spot one of the prints I sell out in the wild in the dining room photo  . 

(a version of https://www.greatlakesprintshop.com/product-page/grand-rapids-1868 if you're curious.  #shoplocal   #theholidaysarecomingup)

 

[joeDowntown]

I’ve always loved this building as well. Interesting that it’s used as an Airbnb right now.  Slightly surprised VAI hasn’t snapped it up. 

Joe

[Cookin_peacocks]

18 hours ago, KCorner said:

I've always loved this building, but it's probably not the highest/best use of the property with its location next to VAI and the Medical Mile. There's a rendering of a really cool, quite tall flatiron-style building on this site. Would be cool to see the high rise concept reborn. I believe it was Visbeen who did the rendering I saw. No asking price on the listing? Anyone know if there is a price somewhere in the MLS?   https://www.crexi.com/properties/466357/michigan-cornerstone-apartments

That rendering has always excited me. Height there would be very good for the skyline and density on the north side of downtown would be a huge plus. Get away from the sterile feeling.

[Cookin_peacocks]

Also, not a great photo, but...

 

They are beginning to close it in.

 

 

[joeDowntown]

A couple of photos from today. Also, they opened the skatepark just north of 96 on Monroe. Probably 100 people skating. A great addition!

[54equalsunity]

This is (eventually) bad news for Allegan County, but if I was a pharmaceutical company in MI I can't think of any other place I'd rather be. It seems like a shame that the government had to hand over $2 million as part of the deal. This isn't Flint, for Christ's sake.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2020/10/perrigo-building-448m-headquarters-in-grand-rapids-plans-for-170-new-jobs.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[mpchicago]

On 10/27/2020 at 1:35 PM, Cookin_peacocks said:

Beautiful! Is that portion under construction? I assumed they were just building the ramp and building on to it later.

This building is not yet under construction.

 

Y'all there appears to be a discrepancy between the two renderings we have here.  The first rendering show's the view point on Monroe looking south which show's the building lining the new garage south to east making it appear to be built on top of the existing research center. 

The second rendering pictured from the point of view of the Morton shows the building lining the ramp going north to east along the freeway side,which is MUCH more logical. 

My assumption is that both of these renderings are just conceptual and we have yet to see what the finished product will look like.  Was any timeline put forth?

 

On 10/27/2020 at 2:54 PM, MJLO said:

Y'all there appears to be a discrepancy between the two renderings we have here.  The first rendering show's the view point on Monroe looking south which show's the building lining the new garage south to east making it appear to be built on top of the existing research center. 

The second rendering pictured from the point of view of the Morton shows the building lining the ramp going north to east along the freeway side,which is MUCH more logical. 

My assumption is that both of these renderings are just conceptual and we have yet to see what the finished product will look like.  Was any timeline put forth?

No, this is how the building is laid out (relatively speaking)

) Yellow is the angle from the first rendering, as if you're driving on 196. 

) Green is the angle from the second rendering, as if you just walked out of Atwater Brewing and looked Northeast

) Red is the Perrigo building built partially on top of the parking ramp in black

) Blue is the innovation center under construction

You can't really see the innovation center in either rendering. The second rendering, MSU med center is at the far right. 

 

 

 

On 10/27/2020 at 1:33 PM, mpchicago said:

More than ever, the city needs to move forward on completing the Calder Plaza plan as a bridge to connect this area with the downtown core.   Furthermore the city should consider opening up the wall at the SE corner of Michigan and Monroe with some stairs to connect directly with Calder Plaza.  

Here is another vantage from NW corner of Monroe and Michigan

I could not agree with you more.  The whole government center ramp/complex and city hall and the county building are pretty outdated.  It seems like it would be easy enough to  sell that SE corner to a developer.  I don't think city hall or the county building will be going anywhere soon, they keep dumping money into them.  City offices are spread all over, it would be nice to have one central location.  That whole stretch of Ottawa b/w Michigan and Lyon is gross.

I am pretty excited for this project though, I think it will help spur future development north of the highway.  Doesn't MSU own that old quality auto parcel?  This and the future Spectrum offices will help eliminate some "dead zones"

 

On 10/27/2020 at 5:29 PM, GRDadof3 said:

No, this is how the building is laid out (relatively speaking)

) Yellow is the angle from the first rendering, as if you're driving on 196. 

) Green is the angle from the second rendering, as if you just walked out of Atwater Brewing and looked Northeast

) Red is the Perrigo building built partially on top of the parking ramp in black

) Blue is the innovation center under construction

You can't really see the innovation center in either rendering. The second rendering, MSU med center is at the far right. 

 

 

 

Ahhhh- Thank you for the correction it makes so much more sense now!

 

On 10/27/2020 at 6:19 PM, Floyd_Z said:

I could not agree with you more.  The whole government center ramp/complex and city hall and the county building are pretty outdated.  It seems like it would be easy enough to  sell that SE corner to a developer.  I don't think city hall or the county building will be going anywhere soon, they keep dumping money into them.  City offices are spread all over, it would be nice to have one central location.  That whole stretch of Ottawa b/w Michigan and Lyon is gross.

I am pretty excited for this project though, I think it will help spur future development north of the highway.  Doesn't MSU own that old quality auto parcel?  This and the future Spectrum offices will help eliminate some "dead zones"

Yes, the own the entire mini-block there up to 600 Monroe and over to Icon. 

Here's a video with some more images and a flyby:

https://s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/perrigo.com/perrigo_com_assets/article-videos/Perrigo_North_American_Corporate_HQ_1.mp4

Sorry, flyby is in this video about 38 seconds into it:

https://wzzm13.com/embeds/video/69-73b6db46-af2c-46a3-b3cf-bfc12892fed4/iframe

 

CWD was talking about attracting a new global headquarters to a renovated Fifth Third Center.   I wonder if they where in the running for the Perrigo headquarters?

 

Wow. I saw the renderings yesterday (I like the building), but I missed the fact that Perrigo is moving their HQ downtown (had moved off the page). This is big news and should be a REALLY solid anchor for medical mile / the research facilities (both MSU and VAI). That's amazing news!

Joe

 

Also, did anyone see a mention of when they expect to break ground?

Joe

 

On 10/28/2020 at 10:22 AM, mpchicago said:

CWD was talking about attracting a new global headquarters to a renovated Fifth Third Center.   I wonder if they where in the running for the Perrigo headquarters?

I was thinking the exact same thing today.

 

So to be clear, the first seven floors aren't just an extension of the parking ramp are they?  I know it looks different from the top three floors.

It would be kind of silly to go in and cut all that precast they just put in.

 

EDIT:  Nevermind looks like it is in fact parking judging by the flyover video.

 

I’m confused by what you’re asking. Are the first 7 floors parking? No, from the articles I’ve read. It sounds like Perrigo is taking the top 3 floors, and they’re looking for other tenants for the rest of the space (it’s a 10 story building):

”Perrigo will occupy the top three-floors of the building, and floors two through seven will be available for other tenants, he said. At this time, no other tenants have been recruited for the space. The building will include shared amenities on the first-floor.”

Joe

 

On 10/28/2020 at 9:37 PM, joeDowntown said:

I’m confused by what you’re asking. Are the first 7 floors parking? No, from the articles I’ve read. It sounds like Perrigo is taking the top 3 floors, and they’re looking for other tenants for the rest of the space (it’s a 10 story building):

”Perrigo will occupy the top three-floors of the building, and floors two through seven will be available for other tenants, he said. At this time, no other tenants have been recruited for the space. The building will include shared amenities on the first-floor.”

Joe

That's good. I too thought the entire lower portion was more parking. 

It's interesting now that I drive by the parking ramp, I can see where they've left the columns a bit unfinished to receive a building on top. 

 

https://grbj.com/news/manufacturing/perrigo-moving-its-north-american-hq-downtown/

I thought there was going to be a "liner" building along Monroe but this looks like additional parking ramp floors. 

 

On 10/27/2020 at 10:22 AM, 54equalsunity said:

This is (eventually) bad news for Allegan County, but if I was a pharmaceutical company in MI I can't think of any other place I'd rather be. It seems like a shame that the government had to hand over $2 million as part of the deal. This isn't Flint, for Christ's sake.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2020/10/perrigo-building-448m-headquarters-in-grand-rapids-plans-for-170-new-jobs.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 

Do you really think it will hurt Allegan County that much? I think most of the white-collar people there don't live in Allegan County, and commute there. I know several who commute from Byron Center area. 

 

On 10/27/2020 at 11:39 AM, GRDadof3 said:

https://grbj.com/news/manufacturing/perrigo-moving-its-north-american-hq-downtown/

I thought there was going to be a "liner" building along Monroe but this looks like additional parking ramp floors. 

So wait, is Perrigo moving into the under construction building along Michigan, or this new building on Monroe?

 

 

On 10/27/2020 at 11:46 AM, GRDadof3 said:

Do you really think it will hurt Allegan County that much? I think most of the white-collar people there don't live in Allegan County, and commute there. I know several who commute from Byron Center area. 

I don't think it will have a significant impact on Allegan County unless Perrigo starts divesting/moving their core operations which accounts for the lions share of their job base there. 

I think this is a significant puzzle piece for downtown and Grand Rapids to continue it's transition/growth toward the future .  I've long thought it was only a matter of time before Perrigo made the decision to exit Allegan.   Big company HQ's are consolidating to more attractive population centers pretty much everywhere right now.   I think it's a huge win that they've decided to stay in the region, and a multi billion $ pharm company planting themselves on the mile can only help to  elevate the regional profile in general.   

I also think it's just  a matter of time before other massive corporate players in the rural/less attractive parts of the state look to move HQ's to more desirable areas as well (ie Kellogg's, Whirlpool, Consumers Energy etc.)  The state would be remiss to not provide them incentive to stay within it's borders. 

 

On 10/27/2020 at 11:57 AM, Cookin_peacocks said:

So wait, is Perrigo moving into the under construction building along Michigan, or this new building on Monroe?

New building along Monroe. Looks like it will go slightly East as well, over top of the parking ramp they just built. 

 

More than ever, the city needs to move forward on completing the Calder Plaza plan as a bridge to connect this area with the downtown core.   Furthermore the city should consider opening up the wall at the SE corner of Michigan and Monroe with some stairs to connect directly with Calder Plaza.  

Here is another vantage from NW corner of Monroe and Michigan

 

On 10/27/2020 at 1:20 PM, GRDadof3 said:

New building along Monroe. Looks like it will go slightly East as well, over top of the parking ramp they just built. 

Beautiful! Is that portion under construction? I assumed they were just building the ramp and building on to it later.

[HavingAhoot]

(Small news) I noticed the old car wash on Michigan and Eastern has be getting work done to it lately. I was wondering when that would be redeveloped. did some digging and unfortunately all the work is to just turn it into a laundry mat. I know there are already plenty f bars and restaurants on this strip but if I'm being honest I was hoping for another.... or at least better than another laundry mat.      

[Cookin_peacocks]

56 minutes ago, HavingAhoot said:

(Small news) I noticed the old car wash on Michigan and Eastern has be getting work done to it lately. I was wondering when that would be redeveloped. did some digging and unfortunately all the work is to just turn it into a laundry mat. I know there are already plenty f bars and restaurants on this strip but if I'm being honest I was hoping for another.... or at least better than another laundry mat.      

The newer one? Thunder mountain?

[GR_Urbanist]

I suppose all of the chemical run-off from the car wash doesnt make it a great redevelopment option for much more.

I will be facinated as to how they turn a car wash into one.

I always had fantasized  about starting  a laundromat that had arcade games, study tables, wi-fi, food vending machines, and TVs with movies or sports, for students that need a place to wash clothes, but not the boredom and otherwise unproductive time waiting. 

Likely this one will just be a more stereotypical one. LOL!

 

[TheLonesomeHobo]

16 hours ago, HavingAhoot said:

(Small news) I noticed the old car wash on Michigan and Eastern has be getting work done to it lately. I was wondering when that would be redeveloped. did some digging and unfortunately all the work is to just turn it into a laundry mat. I know there are already plenty f bars and restaurants on this strip but if I'm being honest I was hoping for another.... or at least better than another laundry mat.      

But will I still be able to wash my dog there???

[whitemice]

12 hours ago, GR_Urbanist said:

I always had fantasized  about starting  a laundromat that had arcade games, study table...

Same.
Think: Tap room in the front, laundry in the back.   Try our Tumble Dry Stout!

It seems like a good location for a laundromat, it is next to a lot of housing.
Laundromats are under appreciated neighborhood assets.

Would not be surprised if this business is temporary.

Edited November 11, 2020 by whitemice

[HavingAhoot]

13 hours ago, GR_Urbanist said:

I suppose all of the chemical run-off from the car wash doesnt make it a great redevelopment option for much more.

I will be facinated as to how they turn a car wash into one.

I always had fantasized  about starting  a laundromat that had arcade games, study tables, wi-fi, food vending machines, and TVs with movies or sports, for students that need a place to wash clothes, but not the boredom and otherwise unproductive time waiting. 

Likely this one will just be a more stereotypical one. LOL!

 

This would be cool. I always have left to run an errand while doing my laundry at College/Michigan. I think this one said it will be an unattended laundry mat