A large array of scaffolding has transformed the site of a former telephone company building in downtown Bridgman into an obvious construction zone and most of the communities movers and shakers are delighted to welcome the slice of urban renewal at the hands of Marty and Chris Mason who foretold in the spring of 2015 of great things to come. While the scaffolding beat them to the symbolism, the father and son team proudly grabbed the gold shovels for a ceremonial groundbreaking on their Monogram Centre last night to say — here we come.
The Monogram Centre complex comprises nearly an acre at the Gateway to Bridgman’s central business district at the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and Lake Street, and is being transformed into the Monogram Inn & Suites extended stay lodging facility and some 7,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, housing opportunities and more.
Marty Mason greeted city officials, CGA Chamber members, merchants, business people and other interested onlookers at the brief ceremony just off of the corner in front of what was once the Monogram Hotel downtown.
Mason told the crowd that renovations have begun with plans to restore about 90-percent of the original building complex in “a very eclectic project.” The former Monogram Hotel building currently has 10 residential units on the upper floor, but those are being converted into seven, larger extended stay-style suites for the new Monogram Inn & Suites. It will mark the first real lodging facility in the downtown sector as the Masons work with the financial team at Honor Credit Union to achieve the makeover.
In the telephone company building at the south end of the project site, Mason pegs some 25,000 square feet of space which will evolved into 19 additional extended-stay executive style suites where people can say for several weeks or months at a time.
The 15-month project is slated for completion in 2017, and has the blessing of the Bridgman City Council, the support of the CGA Chamber crew and others in the community. The city has assisted with rezoning in some portions according to Mason, and his contractor is Kevin Mitchell from Kevin Mitchell Construction.
Mason says there is a group from Chicago currently looking at retail space on the ground floor for a wine bar, bakery and other potential opportunities. John Shail of Coldwell Banker Real Estate facilitated the transaction to get the properties under Mason’s control. Several long time retailers in the Monogram building, Kangaroo Klippers and the Clothes Horse who have conducted business for 33 and 14 years there respectively, are expected to maintain their businesses as the makeover continues.
A vacant office portion of the Monogram building has been pressed into action as the on-site construction office where blueprints, building permits, and architectural renderings are being showcased for potential partners in the retail portion of the project. Housing opportunities within the project range from 600 to nearly 1,800 square feet as they recreate the city center complex.
Mason says researchers helped define the best use for the buildings. Some questioned why the developers didn’t simply demolish the existing structures and start from scratch, but the obvious reason is their grandfathered setback status. If they were to build new rather than renovate the existing buildings, zoning requirements would demand easements ranging from 30 to 50 feet of setback from the roadway.
Mason says that the deeper they get in to the build-out, the higher the interest has been in the project and potential uses. He told last night’s crowd, “We’re real fired up! It’s gonna be a team effort to pull this off, but it’s gonna be neat!” He calls the project a leap of faith, but based on the research conducted and the enthusiasm shared by everyone he’s talked to, he’s hopeful the project will be a catalyst for continued growth of the Bridgman and entire Lake to Grapes region.
When he first introduced the project in April of 2015, Mason said that by reconfiguring the current space to be more functional and unique — one of their major priorities — they are hopeful of attracting increasing interest from travelers seeking some unique rather than standard, cookie-cutter approach, to living space. Parties interested in potentially leasing space in the commercial portion of the project can reach Mason at 269-930-6200.
The Mason’s are no strangers to the world of business. Marty owns and operates Sunset Tool, a couple hundred yards south on Red Arrow Highway, and Chris is a partner in the new Watermark Brewing Company in downtown Stevensville. Stay tuned as the Monogram Centre takes shape in downtown Bridgman.
An architectural rendering of the forthcoming Monogram Centre in Bridgman…
From the Lake Street point of view…
The view from the corner of Red Arrow and Lake Street…
