by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
At first glance, the Blackstone Building seems like most other downtown office buildings.
But there is one major difference: the Blackstone Building is a condominium. And like residential condos, the tenants own their offices rather than lease.
“All owners are members of the association and governed by a elected board of directors,” said Michael Vessels, property manager for the building.
Mike McCullough of Tropic Enterprises is the president of the association.
Albert and Harriet Crabtree first opened the building in 1973 and the property is still owned by the Crabtree family.
“From what I understand, it was a family-owned venture and it was just a common agreement when it was built that it was going to be an office condominium,” said Vessels, adding that many downtown buildings are owned by large corporations who chose to lease rather than sell their space.
The building, located at 233 E. Bay St. across from the City Hall Annex, stands 11 stories, including seven occupied floors and a four-level parking garage.
There are 84,912 square feet of occupied office/commercial space in the building and 134 parking spaces.
“All parking spaces are deeded private property as well,” said Vessels. “Parking is on a case-by-case basis by rent, lease, or purchase agreement.”
The Blackstone is occupied by numerous law offices, including John Bryant; C. Fred Moberg and Associates; Mahon, Mahon and Healy; Epstein and Robbins; Michael Dave; Michael Mattson; Garrett Barket; David Bartholf; Gerald Bettman; Kosto & Rotella ; Elrod and Elrod; Hugh Cotney; Clyde Collins; C. Holt Smith III; Brown, Terrell, Hogan, Ellis, McClamma and Yegelwel ; Rolfe and Lobello; Bullock, Childs, Pendley and Reed; Roberts and Reiter; Seelie and Doolittle; Tom Fallis P.A.; S. Perry Penland Jr. ; Shawn Pope and Marshall D. Davis.
Other tenants are court reporting offices including Executive Reporters, Associated Stenotype Reporters, Odom, Moore, & Miller and Anderson Reporting Services, AAA Reporters and Statewide Reporting Service.
Other businesses located in the building include Executive Video and Photographic Services, Tropic Enterprises, Saunders & Company and the office of District 16 State Rep. Mark Mahon.
The ground floor includes the Soud Law Firm, Ed’s Spanish American Cookery, A-Freedom Bail Bonds and Bay Street Cafe.
There are several other individual attorneys who lease space in the building, but do not own offices.
Recent renovations on the building include a complete fire/sprinkler system installation, complete elevator overhaul and upgrade, exterior stucco and painting and an automatic door system for the lobby.
Some of the first tenants from the legal community included Henry “Hank” Searcy, Bill Howell, Perry Penland Sr. and Albert Crabtree.Other notable tenants from the legal community through the years have included Mack Crenshaw, Tim Harris, Brian Davis, Ted Grissett, Homer Humphries, Fred Tygart and Harry Shorstein.
Also, several banks have been tenants in the past.
Vessels said that vacancies do occur in the building but because all spaces are owned, the individual owners lease the space as opposed to the property manager.
Vessels said that location is one reason so many law firms call the Blackstone Building home.
“For the current businesses, it is ideal,” said Vessels. “The county courthouse is across the street, the jail is two blocks away and many of the banks are within five minutes of the building.”
Also, there are two restaurants in the building and the Adam’s Mark Hotel and Landing are within walking distance.
With the future move of the courthouse, Vessels said he thinks the dynamics of the building will also change.
“My vision is that the building will gradually become more corporate oriented once the courthouse is moved,” said Vessels.