Colliers International|West Michigan and Rockford Construction signed a long-term lease with Mertens Hospitality, LLC for the construction and operation of a restaurant on the ground floor of Rockford’s building at 35 Oakes St. SW in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mertens Hospitality’s managing member Anthony Tangorra said that the name of the 125-seat restaurant and bar will be New Hotel Mertens, the name of the hotel that opened in the building in 1914.
“We designed the new incarnation of New Hotel Mertens to reflect the building’s contribution to the history of Grand Rapids,” said Tangorra, in a statement. “Our restaurant’s design utilizes many of the building’s original features. The hotel housed a dining room and cocktail bar starting in 1914, so our mission is to adapt and restore many of those features we’ve been fortunate to inherit over 100 years later.”
Rockford rehabilitated the 100-year-old structure, including constructing a small addition, in 2014. Earlier this year, Rockford announced Swedish tech-company Configura has taken occupancy of two of the eight floors of office space; a limited amount of office space is still available in the building.
New Hotel Mertens’ restaurant is modeled after a traditional brasserie, which is a type of casual French restaurant. It will serve a traditional French menu and will feature a vintage-Belgian, French and Michigan-focused beer and spirits list, and is planning to feature an expansive selection of Michigan wines in addition to wines from France and California. Coffee, espresso and pastries will be available through a to-go outlet. New Hotel Mertens plans to eventually be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including weekend brunch.
Mertens Hospitality has also secured rights to develop the building’s rooftop deck as a part of the restaurant’s concept and the company plans to do so as early as Spring 2018.
