Monday, January 27, 2014
Changes coming to the Bennett Block
Construction has started on the Bennett Block in downtown Spokane, another piece in the ongoing transformation of Main Avenue. The renovation building will have retail and offices on the first two floors, with loft-style housing on the top floor, according to a property description from Goodale & Barbieri. Initial renderings show a new public entrance at ground level and a new elevation for the northeast stairway. These are probably not the final plans, but provide a glimpse of what may be coming.
Project architects, Nystrom + Olson, recently posted a few photos of interior work.
Bennett Block businesses are open through the current level of construction, but change is on the way. Spokane Uniform House will be moving within the next few months. Mizuna, located on the Howard Street side of the building, will be doing a remodel at the current location and expanding the kitchen and dining area.
Spokane Exercise Equipment, the corner retail tenant, will be moving a block east to the former Huppin’s space with plans to open by March 1. That section of Main Avenue is also seeing major changes, with renovations following the separate closures of Dutch’s music shop and Huppin’s in 2013. One new business there will be a bar and restaurant from the owners of Madeleine’s and Casper Fry.
Here’s a locator map for some of the projects on Main Avenue right now. Farther east, work continues on the former Merlyn’s space, which will be home to Black Label Brewing Company and other small businesses.
