MORTON HOUSE

[joeDowntown]

To be redeveloped as another hotel, or office space for their company?

Joe

I heard a rumor yesterday it might be the City Flats owners.

[GRDadof3]

To be redeveloped as another hotel, or office space for their company?

Joe

The City Flats owners are just a handful of people. I can't see them needing 11 or 12 stories of office space.

They were probably just at the place at the right time, and also probably wanted that corner cleaned up to make their Fox Hotel more desirable.

Hard to go wrong with a meal at Jake's, huh?

What I though was brilliant about this project was the tie-in with the concert hall. Granted, their both under the same corporate umbrella, but that's one thing I guess I don't see a lot around here are tie-in's and synergies baked in the cake of doing a project. Everyone's acting as a freelancer, if there's any complimentary development, it seems to occur by happenstance.

Case in point, while there's been parallel development up where all the hospitals are, I'm really surprised restaurants, lodging and all the other things that go along with having hundreds of workers and thousands of visitors gravitate to a particular district not being brought into the fold early on and integral to the whole. Seems odd.

There's actually a big "mall-style" food court going in on medical mile.

[jas49503]

There's actually a big "mall-style" food court going in on medical mile.

where? i've been all over there and havent' seen it. unless it's in the cancer center or the two new office buildings next to it. it isn't at butterworth, or HDVCH.

HDVCH does have really good pizza and ice cream though.

and blodgetts food is

[GRDadof3]

where? i've been all over there and havent' seen it. unless it's in the cancer center or the two new office buildings next to it. it isn't at butterworth, or HDVCH.

HDVCH does have really good pizza and ice cream though.

and blodgetts food is

It's in the process of being built.

[jas49503]

It's in the process of being built.

where?

[GRDadof3]

where?

I don't know if it's under wraps or public knowledge yet. Let's just say it's connected to everything on the "Mile" via skywalks.

[amylynne]

I don't know if it's under wraps or public knowledge yet. Let's just say it's connected to everything on the "Mile" via skywalks.

According to this article and something else I saw on a different site it's between Tower 25 and Tower 35: http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/devnews/35Michigan0203.aspx

[jas49503]

that would make sense as it's the only place I haven't been and they are still doing a lot of construction on the interior.

[Gorath]

Rockford Construction and RDV to buy the Morton House. Possibility of a Blue Cross/Blue Shield subsidiary as a new tenant.

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/rockford_construction_devos_fa.html

[joeDowntown]

Anyone know what the BCBS subsidiary is? Are these new jobs being brought to GR, or offices being moved from the suburbs. It'll be great to see more activity on that corner and the building renovated.

I know that at one time, Diversions was looking to move into that space. I thought they were buying the first floor space. Is this still in the works?

Joe

[GRDadof3]

Anyone know what the BCBS subsidiary is? Are these new jobs being brought to GR, or offices being moved from the suburbs. It'll be great to see more activity on that corner and the building renovated.

I know that at one time, Diversions was looking to move into that space. I thought they were buying the first floor space. Is this still in the works?

Joe

Blue Care Network has offices in Cascade.

[joeDowntown]

I hope the liquor store (and the barred windows) are a part of the deal as well.

Is the eponymous party store included in the package? (please please please...)

[fotoman311]

I hope the liquor store (and the barred windows) are a part of the deal as well.

I would guess the liquor store would be going away anyhow, now that a large chunk of its customers have moved away. Would be nice to see something done with that space, though.

[wingbert]

RDV is involved in this? Are they going to squat on it like they have with Olds Manor to avoid any downtown competition for their existing properties?

[MJLO]

has it been clarified that this will be used for offices? Or I assume that there has been no more news since sept?

[GRDadof3]

I don't think anything's been confirmed yet.

[Gorath]

Morton Party Store will close at the end of this year.

http://www.mlive.com...apids_conv.html

I've never been inside the place as it looked uninviting but I did not know that Morton Party Store has never sold alcohol. I always thought Party Store means a place that sells beer.

Edit: The place is called Morton Party Shop, not Party Store. Maybe "Shop" makes the difference from "Party Store".

Edited December 19, 2011 by Gorath

[SupercityGR]

Hopefully when they redo Morton house, they get rid of the bars on the windows.

Edited December 19, 2011 by SupercityGR

[GR_Urbanist]

Even though I despised the ghetto look of that place, the owners seem like really nice people with a good heart.

The space seems too small for much. Wonder what it was before the party store.

[gvsusean]

Even though I despised the ghetto look of that place, the owners seem like really nice people with a good heart.

The space seems too small for much. Wonder what it was before the party store.

I currently live on Jeju Island in South Korea. Its a small island with a population of 600,000. You would be amazed at how they utilize every square inch of a space. In the entertainment districts, where space is especially limited, there are on-street "shops" that are literally a closet that vendors shop out of... its pretty amazing.. maybe if I get a litle less lazy ill take some pics and post'em

[Allison Slater]

Morton Party Shop was one of the very few almost-grocery stores we had in the city. Hopefully we get a proper one asap.

[SupercityGR]

It would be awesome to have a mini Meijer move downtown.

[walker]

The space seems too small for much. Wonder what it was before the party store.

For years it was a clothing store, the Morton Mens Shop. The space seems too small for a clothing store too. Maybe we've become too used to big box stores as the norm.

Edited December 20, 2011 by walker

[Allison Slater]

Going completely off memory here, but I'd say it's still bigger than the retail incubator spaces at MoDiv. (Because of those glass walls, those will feel bigger, though.)

[egrguy]

I gotta say that DT can definitely support a smaller sized grocery type store. I think a smaller Meijer/D&W is outside the scope of the next 5 years. I still think that the 2 East Fulton site is ideal for a Trader Joe's. Its a good location, adds some brand cache to GR. While I'd love to see a smaller sized D&W or Meijer there - I think its a great spot for someone.