New owners revamp old Whitefish nightclub
A former nightclub with a dominating architectural presence in downtown Whitefish is getting a face lift and a new lease on life from new owners.
The vacant, boarded-up Flanagan's Central Station, which closed in 2007 after numerous liquor-law violations, has been purchased by the Western Montana Real Estate Fund.
Negotiations are under way with prospective ground-floor tenants. Plans for the upper level are still being evaluated, according to the Fund, a group of local investors who purchase properties "for the goal of appreciation."
The first order of business is a facade redesign that will remove the prominent decorative I-beam exterior trim that protrudes from the building's side. Artists or other community residents interested in obtaining one of the I-beams can contact Marshall Friedman, one of the Fund investors, at 862-8212.
In place of the I-beams, large, exposed wooden beams will be used on the front of the faade, stained in historic colors similar to other downtown landmarks. The upper balcony will be removed for a cleaner look, while the facade facing Central Avenue will be set back 16 feet from the sidewalk, creating an outdoor alcove for dining and enjoying Central Avenue.
Jackola Engineering & Architecture headed the redesign, which was approved by the city's Architectural Review Committee. The remodeling began on Monday.
Mark Young, an architect with Jackola, said the primary goal was to clean up the cluttered exterior and make it less imposing to pedestrians.
The towering 9,200-square foot, two-story building anchors the southwest corner of Central Avenue and First Street.
"Our fund is bullish on the future of Whitefish real estate, which is one reason we purchased this prominent commercial property in downtown and have chosen to remodel the exterior more in liking to the aesthetics of our wonderful mountain town," Friedman said in a press release. "We consider this location to be one of the top commercial corners in the state and are really optimistic about the long-term value of Whitefish real estate."
Alan Elm, another investor in the group, said the fund is actively purchasing local properties.
"We are seasoned investors and no-hassle buyers who care about Whitefish and can move quickly if the opportunity is right," Elm said. "We believe the current economic conditions will lead to a return of a strong real estate market and feel that Whitefish is poised as one of the most attractive areas of investment for real estate."
The nightclub opened in December 2000 as Julio's Coaches Corner under the ownership of Julio Delgado, Robert Frank and Bill Leonard. It doubled as a sports bar and restaurant.
When Jim Flanagan bought the business in 2004, it became an entertainment hot spot that attracted big-name acts. But the club also gained notoriety for racking up eight liquor-law violations over three years until the state forced its closure.