Fifth Quarter, Melange owners considering new use for ex-Leopold Brothers building
A group including an Ann Arbor real estate investor and the owner of the Fifth Quarter bar on Fifth Avenue is looking at potentially reopening the old Leopold Brothers brewery space on South Main Street as a banquet and large meeting facility.
Club Vintage LLC, organized by Jeff Starman of Arch Realty and Andrus McDonald, owner of Fifth Quarter, has applied for a liquor license at the old Leopold Brothers space, according to state records.
Starman said he was under a confidentiality agreement and couldn't talk about the project.
Building owner Jerry Spears, who had been planning a hotel at the site, 529 S. Main St, said the group is interested in providing a space for banquets and larger events of up to 300 people.
At various times, Spears had planned a hotel and a condominium development at the site.
Leopold Brothers, a brewery that grew many of its ingredients in the same Main Street building, closed in May 2008. The building has been empty since.
Comments
frozenhotchocolate
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 2:27 p.m.
They should put a drive through taco bell/kfc/pizza hut there, that would be sweet, and not that much parking needed.
a2grateful
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 1:57 p.m.
There's parking all over the place. U of M has offered conference space for decades. They offer special event reserved parking in their garages. City of a2 can do so, as well.
A Pretty Ann Arbor
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.
And the parking for 300 people would be where?????
a2grateful
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 6:08 a.m.
This is an interesting proposal. There is question as to whether such space is needed in downtown Ann Arbor. This may be the most cost-effective way to determine such need. Well wishes in this endeavor!