“Three Please” for new Hines Building

Monday, September 17, 2007
By Karen Gentry
MiBiz

“Three Please” for new Hines Building Monday, September 17, 2007 - MiBiz

MUSKEGON – An international company plans to open its headquarters office in the Hines Building, currently just beginning construction in downtown Muskegon.

Representatives of an as yet unannounced firm approached the owners of Muskegon Chamber Building LLC, developers of the Hines Building, and asked that a third floor be added to house their company HQ, according to Dave Ten Cate, owner and partner with Capstone Real Estate LLC and one of five investors in the downtown building.

A firm deal was struck in late August, necessitating reworks on engineering and architectural plans, along with requisite city approvals.

Ten Cate said company officials liked the idea of being in the same building as the chamber of commerce and appreciated the fact that the development is already well underway.

"Our building was going to be a go before they came along. Their business will bring 40 or more new jobs to the state of Michigan and that’s really exciting," Ten Cate told MiBiz.

The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce will occupy 7,000 square feet on the second floor of the building.

Besides the chamber and the mystery international company, Northwestern Mutual Life plans to move to the Hines Building next year and occupy 2,300 square feet on the main floor. Northwestern Mutual Life Managing Director Mike Youngdahl said he looks forward to moving back to downtown Muskegon. The company has been in Muskegon for more than 100 years and was previously located downtown at several locations. The company’s six employees will move back from their current Henry Street location.

"We’re excited about being a part of the rebirth of downtown Muskegon," Youngdahl told MiBiz.

Ten Cate said there is currently 7,000 square feet still available on the main floor suitable for retail or food servers. About 1,900 square feet, best suited for office users, is available on the second floor.

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This article appeared in the September 17, 2007 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz, visit www.mibiz.com.