New lofts and retail space being developed in the old Delta Building.
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ESCANABA -- The turn of the century Delta Building in downtown Escanaba, which has been vacant for many years, is finally going to get a facelift both inside and out. Construction on new lofts and businesses inside the structure will be underway in the near future.
Built in 1900 and vacant since the 1940s, the Delta Building will now include 17 new loft apartments and 3300-square feet of retail space.
Developer Matt Sviland, with the help of other architects, has taken on the $2.1 million project.
"They're fabulous spaces," said Sviland. "It's a beautiful building; when people come inside, the building does the selling. It sells itself; it's a beautiful structure."
Friday, Sviland gave city officials and representatives a tour inside the building.
The apartments will range from 820-square feet to over 1400-square feet, with most having a roof top terrace.
Sviland says he'd like to keep most of the original stairways and structures in the building.
"We're building something with a much more urban, upscale feel," Sviland said. "Huge, lofty space, lots of natural light with the large windows - we'll keep the rough brick exterior walls and interior walls where we can."
After over 60 years of vacancy, State Representative Tom Casperson feels the new lofts will brighten the downtown.
"With what's being proposed and the blue prints, I think it's a great way to bring people down to the downtown area, and this could revitalize the area. So it's the beginning stages, and what a wonderful addition to the downtown in Escanaba," explained Casperson.
Developers hope to begin construction by late this summer and have the entire project complete by 2010.
