CityFlats ready for opening in 9 to 12 months

A boutique hotel will be ready for business in downtown Port Huron by this time next year.

And that's at the latest, according to Chuck Reid.

Reid, the owner of Charter House Innovations and CityFlats Hotel in western Michigan, said the purchase of the former Michigan National Bank building at the corner of Huron Avenue and Water Street was finalized Wednesday.

"It's taken longer than I anticipated, but we're thrilled it's all coming together," he said.

Design for the 38-room hotel with conference space, a ballroom and lounge is underway. Reid said tax incentives and the like are being worked through.

The project will be a $6 million to $8 million investment, with an estimated renovation period of nine to 12 months.

Reid's company also purchased the office building at 405 Water St. next to the bank building. The current tenants of the bank building are being relocated to that building. Reid expects the bank building to be empty of tenants in the next four to six weeks.

Reid first came into Port Huron in April, announcing plans for a boutique hotel at the Sperry's building in downtown. He said his plan changed about 15 minutes after that public announcement.

A local businessman told him about the bank building along the Black River. Reid's Grand Rapids hotel is also in a former Michigan National Bank building.

"That type of building is what I've been looking for," he said. "They're beautiful, the columns, the ceiling treatment, you can't build that today, you can't find that type of architecture. ... The uniqueness of that building is what really drew me to it."

But Reid said he's not leaving the Sperry's building. He declined to go into detail on that project, as federal and state historical requirements are being finalized.

Previously, officials said a boutique movie theater and a restaurant are planned for the building at the corner of Huron and Grand River avenues.

Scott Beedon, the broker of both properties, spoke with the Port Huron Rotary Club Thursday.

"We wanted to hear about it because we're a club of community leaders so to speak," said Marge Kopp-Ropposch, president of the club.

Kopp-Ropposch said the development would be a boost to the city. She also hopes the move of the hotel location won't leave the Sperry's building vacant.

"We're very happy to see some of the west-side action coming to the east-side (of the state)," she said.

Kathy Swantek, executive director of the Blue Water Developmental Housing, was also on hand for the luncheon.

Swantek stayed at the CityFlats Grand Rapids location in November.

"That would be great to have that here," Swantek said. "I love the location, you can't beat that."

Port Huron City Manager James Freed said not just the developments, but the spinoff of business to other downtown businesses will be a huge boost to the downtown.

"We're pleased to see progress and we have confidence in the developer," he said.

Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.