A regional development group has received site plan approval from the Royal Oak Planning Commission for a Class A office building to be constructed at the southwest corner of Main and 6th streets in the city’s downtown district.

The four-story glass and stone structure, which would be built on what is now a surface parking lot, would offer up to 100,000 square feet of office space, as much as 20,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, terrace balconies, high ceilings, energy efficient windows, and an on-site parking deck offering 428 spaces.

“We are now working with the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority to complete the negotiations, and we are planning to meet with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. about available economic incentives to help support the cost of the parking deck,” says Larry Goss, principal of Downtown Royal Oak LLC. The other principals include Peter Burton, Bob Katzman, and John Pavone.

Goss says construction is projected to begin in the spring, and the building and parking structure will take 18 months to complete. Prospective office tenants include companies in the financial, legal, IT, service, and other business sectors.

Located near public transportation, prospective retail tenants include coffee shops, casual and fine dining restaurants with outdoor patios, fitness training, lending institutions, boutique stores and other uses. The architect for what is referred to as 600 S. Main is Lord Aeck Sargent, which has offices in Ann Arbor.

“The building will offer high-end finishes, open floor plans, a large plaza at the entrance way, and the terrace balconies will overlook Main Street,” Goss says. “It will have a contemporary elevation, and the parking will be connected to the office building.”

The city has been working to draw more office buildings to the downtown district over the last two years. Currently, Southfield-based Etkin LLC is building a four-story, 74,000-square-foot office building near Main and 11 Mile Road that will offer space for ground floor retailers and restaurants. Signed tenants include Etkin, Gongos Inc., and Stout Risius Ross. The building is expected to be completed in spring 2018.

In turn, the city is building a large parking structure at 2nd and Centre streets that will offer ground floor retail space.

“There a lot of excitement for office space in downtown Royal Oak,” says Goss. “The city is well run, and the downtown district is near I-75 and I-696. We had planned a hotel originally, but now we’re seeing more demand for office space.”

For more information on 600 S. Main, the broker is Eric D. Banks, executive principal and partner at CORE Partners in Bingham Farms. His contact information is edb@corepartners.net or 248-399-9999, ext. 102.