Royal Oak's 'Purple Building' Sports New Owners
The Royal Music building has new owners with fast plans.
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Pdfs
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.
In This article
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Shrine Catholic High School and Academy
3500 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI -
O'Toole's
205 W 5th Ave, Royal Oak, MI
Tom Wurdock
4:16 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I remember well another use for the purple building back in the late forties and fifties. It was archie's Market. A neighborhood grocery store. I worked in the meat department for Archies brother. It as right across the street form J J Levy gas company. Tom Wurdock
Nancy Barnett
6:02 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I think that this is a wonderful idea.Atleast it's not a new Bar,or resturant. I hope thay sell good quality sneakers that I can purchase.Finally something besides a Bar.=)
The Duke of Royal Oak
3:37 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Nancy, I agree. Finally a non-alcohol business and somewhere to buy quality sports footwear, since I can no longer buy off the rack shoe wear from the big box stores.
l.c.
10:11 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
royal music & myers music near 10 mile & Main served the area well for many band instruments,guitar fans & they will both be missed.is the color of the building really what makes the shop? good luck in the sneaker biz.
The Duke of Royal Oak
3:34 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Congartulations Mr. Wangler, sounds like a great use and much needed business.
Bonnie White
10:26 am on Friday, October 12, 2012
I WILL MISS THE 'PURPLE BUILDING'. MY DAUGHTER TOOK MUSIC LESSONS THERE FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE IT WAS PURPLE. THE BUILDING IS A LANDMARK FOR ME & PURPLE WAS SURE AN ATTENTION GETTER...THAT WAS THE PURPOSE. SORRY THE MUSIC BUSINESS IS GONE. IT WAS AN INSPIRATION FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.
royaloakforum.com
2:45 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The purple is now coming off! See the work in progress here: http://royaloakforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1827.0
The Duke of Royal Oak
12:41 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Does anyone know the original use of the bulding when it was constructed in1919? Would like to know more of the history of the original building in Royal Oak.
Judy Davids
4:36 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Let me see what I can find out Duke!
The Duke of Royal Oak
5:03 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Judy, your efforts are very much appreciated by the Crown!
Judy Davids
9:31 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
Duke-Here is what I found out from 70-year-old Jack Pitt who taught guitar/banjo lessons at Royal Music for 36 years. The building was originally an apartment, according to Pitt.
“There were two very large apartments on the first floor and two large apartments on the second floor,” Pitt said. “And, this is interesting, in the 1930s until the mid-40s it was a house of ill repute.”
In 1957 it became Royal Music when Herbert Couf, according to Pitt, purchased it. Couf added the addition on the north side.
In 1988 Couf sold the business and then it was sold again in 2004 to Scott Hershey. Hershey, who loved the color royal purple, had the building painted. The neighbors hated it, according to Pitt.
“In 2009 the business was closed for non-payment of taxes,” Pitt said.
By the way, Pitt still teaches guitar lesson. About 10 of the Royal Music teachers moved to Berkley Music, he said.
“Royal Music was a wonderful place to work,” Pitt said. “I would still be there if it hadn’t closed.”