Kendall and the Keeler Building

[GRDadof3]

I just mean to bring in a little modern influence to it, like they did with Kendall College across the street. I agree that the exterior is in pretty good shape, but rather unremarkable. You're probably right xopher that the HPC would probably nix that. An interior multi-floor atrium might be nice though.

[Allison Slater]

Actually the details of the exterior aren't what I would call great shape. Parts of the white stone facade part (looks like chiseled cinder block?) is crumbling, and has a layer of paint chipping off, revealing a more aged off-white paint beneath. There's a few windows that need replacing. I also doubt the areas above the street-level windows is original.. it does not fit the building at all. The polished stone sections and brickwork seem to be in excellent shape though.

Good changes to the building should be enhancing of the areas above the street-level windows. Throw in some overhanging canopies, pretty it up a little, change the material up there. Another thing that could be done could be to replace the awkward main building entryway with something a little more symmetrical. Right now its a normal door on left, and rotating door on right, both leading into the same space. Perhaps 2 small rotating doors or one large one would be better. Aside from that, a little bit of night lighting and I'd say the building is good.

[quoteme3]

I just mean to bring in a little modern influence to it, like they did with Kendall College across the street. I agree that the exterior is in pretty good shape, but rather unremarkable. You're probably right xopher that the HPC would probably nix that. An interior multi-floor atrium might be nice though.

[Nitro]

It is on the National Register of Historic Places,

[MAU]

You might score here for dorms for the big plans Ferris and Kendal had a while back (based on proximity), maybe mix in some CC out of towners.... but how alive is the Ferris/Kendal deal?? Wasnt there something about wanting to close some streets so that they could create a campus?

[joeDowntown]

You may be right there, but didn't Ellis try buying the building and tearing it down but the HPC flipped out and Ellis dropped the plan?

I like the building so I hope it is renovated someday. Other than available parking, I think the other problem with the Keeler Building (and the Ma Bell Building) is the tiny sidewalks. I like how the Michigan Bell building put up guard rails.

And speaking of that building, would they clean it up? That building is a gem in need of a lot of TLC.

Joe

If we're still talking about Keeler here, I believe you're mistaken. Keeler is not listed on the National Register. It's not even on the City of Grand Rapids register.

Since it sits north of Fulton it is not in the Heartside Historic district either. Anyone is free to modify that building at will.

[GRDadof3]

Add 200,000 sf of office to downtown? You have to ask yourself what this building has that the former Choice One building does not? Or that a quarter of the newly renovated Mackay Tower does not? A couple guys who keep their fingers on the pulse of tenancy downtown have commented recently to me that if you want to fill office space downtown you have to steal the tenant(s) from other downtown buildings. What would the draw be at this location?

You might score here for dorms for the big plans Ferris and Kendal had a while back (based on proximity), maybe mix in some CC out of towners.... but how alive is the Ferris/Kendal deal?? Wasnt there something about wanting to close some streets so that they could create a campus?

I think office is a long(gut)shot??

[mgreven]

Choice One? Can't place it.

[andrew.w]

Frankly, at about 147x198, the Keeler might be too deep for residential. Even with a hall down the middle, you'd have 70' deep units. That'd be like living in a bowling alley. Unless you somehow created a courtyard on the back side.

[GRDadof3]

Or do what you just said: put an attrium up the middle. However, that atrium space in residential may not be all that useful. But I think the globe building has an atrium kind of like that.

[quoteme3]

Isn't he referring to the building with Bistro Bella Vita? That was USXchange and then become ChoiceOne.

[quoteme3]

Choice One? Can't place it. Is that the old Michigan National Building on Monroe Center (77 Monroe Center)?

If the Keeler had an attached parking garage, with separate access to each floor, I'd say that's a huge advantage over McKay Tower. Plus, the floorplates on the Keeler are almost 30,000 sf each, for someone who wanted more contiguous flexible space, maybe. Even if you blew out an area for a 7 story atrium, you'd still about 25,000 square feet on each floor. That's got to be one of the largest downtown. 77 Monroe Center's floorplates are 5700 sf each, and McKay's are maybe 6000? Frankly, at about 147x198, the Keeler might be too deep for residential. Even with a hall down the middle, you'd have 70' deep units. That'd be like living in a bowling alley. Unless you somehow created a courtyard on the back side.

A lot of reasons why it has sat empty for so long, and not one of them justifies a $10 Million price tag, IMO.

[GRDadof3]

I agree... 10 million says it all. I disagree on the McKay Tower because it is closer to the core. I look at the Keeler Bld and wonder how many students are living in the Morton House (who would rather not) and would jump at being closer to class in nicer digs with ALL student neighbors. I like the atrium idea. I'd talked to Azzars painter a while back and thought he said he'd been doing work in the Keeler bld..... so maybe thats a small ray of hope he's ready to move it.

I feel kinda bad for Steve Dehaan... we'd made an offer on some of Azzars raw land a couple years ago. We didnt exactly lowball him and asked for some additional wasteland for retention. I think Azzar instructed him to grunt at us in reply. It was a muffled grunt.

[Prankster]

Another large roadblock I see in this is getting that parking lot out of Ellis' hands. Except for the Lyon & Ottawa tower, and the midtown ramp, he seems to prefer keeping his parking lots. They are a very low cost investment, with a decent rate of return. Again, this is just my impression.

[GRDadof3]

Another large roadblock I see in this is getting that parking lot out of Ellis' hands. Except for the Lyon & Ottawa tower, and the midtown ramp, he seems to prefer keeping his parking lots. They are a very low cost investment, with a decent rate of return. Again, this is just my impression.

[Veloise]

... I agree that apartments in Keeler would be ideal. I think an atrium or courtyard on the backside would be the best way to go, since the Fountain St Church is going to block most of the views to the East (although, so would my parking ramp to the South). And apartments would create a demand for retail on the ground floor, with amenities much like the Boardwalk has. Even with the courtyard/atrium, you could probably get 150 apartments?

[Veloise]

[joeDowntown]

I'd love to have a view of Fountain St. Church out my window. It's an awesome building.

What crappy heating/cooling ducts out the back of the Keeler Building. That doesn't seem very efficient.

Joe

[GRDadof3]

Somebody's got my idea about creating a "Design Collaboration Center" in Grand Rapids (mine was for the old Keeler bldg).

http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/inde....xml&coll=6

I really hope that if this thing gains traction, that they put it DOWNTOWN!

[twoshort]

SCHS

[Rizzo]

Somebody's got my idea about creating a "Design Collaboration Center" in Grand Rapids (mine was for the old Keeler bldg).

http://www.mlive.com/business/grpress/inde....xml&coll=6

I really hope that if this thing gains traction, that they put it DOWNTOWN!

[joeDowntown]

It is a great idea. It could not only feed the Furniture industry, it could also branch out into many other fields. Some of the designers we have in West Michigan are incredible (and most people don't even think about it). Building a center that utilizes that talent and soldifies this area as the brain trust for ergonomic design would be huge. It sounds great! As GRDad said, please put it downtown.

Joe

[GRDadof3]

It is a great idea. It could not only feed the Furniture industry, it could also branch out into many other fields. Some of the designers we have in West Michigan are incredible (and most people don't even think about it). Building a center that utilizes that talent and soldifies this area as the brain trust for ergonomic design would be huge. It sounds great! As GRDad said, please put it downtown.

Joe