Royal Oak's 'Purple Building' Sports New Owners

When addressing the Royal Oak Planning Commission on Tuesday, architect Brian Howard, of HF Architecture, made one thing clear about new plans for the Royal Music building at 512 N. Main Street.

"FYI, the purple is going," Howard said. 

The new owner of the 7,897-square-foot building is John Wangler, a former Shrine High School and University of Michigan football star. He plans to convert the music store into retail sales, offices and multiple-family dwelling units.

Planning commissioners gave their approval to the site plan at their Tuesday meeting. Wangler will use part of the of the building to sell Reebok and Addias apparel and footwear. He'll also run Top Cat Sales, a separate division that provides products such as custom team uniforms, training apparel, footwear and accessories, at the same location. 

Howard said plans for the building include knocking down the single-story addition, which consisted of music lesson rooms, to squeeze in more parking. The second story will be converted into two lofts - each 1,200 square feet, Howard said. A third unit will serve as a studio for the owners.

"The original building was built in 1919 and has very high ceilings," Howard said. "It's very loft-like."

Also approved 

Planning commissioners also gave their blessings to the following plans:

• Convert existing building into medical offices at 3425 Starr Rd.
• Ground floor addition to O'Toole's at 205 W. Fifth St.
• New 3-story Neauroscience Center at Beaumont Hospital
• Convert existing building into a retail store/hair salon at 27844 Woodward Ave.