McGowan discusses Heer’s delays, hints at other projects

McGowan discussed the Heer’s construction timeline during a live interview with Springfield Business Journal Editor Eric Olson this morning at the Clarion Hotel. The interview was part of SBJ’s 12 People You Need to Know monthly breakfast series at the hotel’s Newsroom Café.

McGowan said his St. Louis-based historic renovation firm, Blue Urban LLC, is interested in acquiring and redeveloping other downtown Springfield properties. Later today, McGowan is scheduled to meet with Brett Loethen, owner of the McDaniel and Woodruff buildings on Park Central East.

Blue Urban was formed last fall after McGowan split with longtime partner Nat Walsh and hired the employees from McGowan|Walsh, the firm they founded together in 2004.

McGowan closed on the $3 million purchase of the former Springfield department store in November, and he announced in December that Blue Urban would renovate the downtown landmark as 38 upscale condos above a Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood Restaurant. The project’s price tag is $26 million to $30 million.

Renovations were scheduled to begin June 1, but McGowan said an ongoing review process of the square’s historical significance by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office has pushed back the start date.

McGowan said Blue Urban has completed construction plans and is ready to go when the review process is done. The top four floors of Heer’s will be converted into a trio of three-bedroom units, 18 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units, one of which is a 3,000-square-foot penthouse in the former department store’s signature tower going for $750,000. A draft-style sales event for prospective buyers will be June 21 at Trolley’s. For more information, visit www.blueurban.com.

The next 12 People You Need to Know event will feature Mark Weisz, owner/broker, Weisz Commercial Realty Inc. The question-and-answer breakfast will be 7:30–9 a.m. July 15 at the Clarion’s Newsroom Café. Tickets are available at sbj.net.