"Stunning Views of Downtown': Pitch for Former Archdiocese Property in St. Paul

By Frederick Melo
Pioneer Press
March 23, 2017

http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/23/tenants-sought-for-former-archdiocese-property-across-from-history-center/

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is selling several of its properties as part of its bankruptcy reorganization effort, which will likely result in a settlement payout to victims of clergy sexual abuse. A for-sale sign May 27, 2015 in front of the archdiocese’s Msgr. Ambrose Hayden Center, at 328 West Kellogg Boulevard, which has an estimated value of $2.4 million. (Pioneer Press: Elizabeth Mohr)

On St. Paul’s Kellogg Boulevard, a former administrative center of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is looking for tenants with an appreciation of history.

As a result of its bankruptcy, the Archdiocese agreed in 2015 to sell its Monsignor Hayden Center to the Minnesota Historical Society for $4.5 million. The 60,000 square foot building at 328 West Kellogg Blvd. was built in 1914 and served as the Cathedral School until 1979. It more recently housed offices for more than 125 of the Archdiocese’s administrative employees.

The building, now known as the Kellogg Center, sits across the street from the Minnesota History Center, which will share its 129 parking stalls. Julie Bauch of commercial real estate firm Bauch Enterprises will oversee the management and leasing of the space on behalf of the historical society. She’s also the building’s first new office tenant.

The building spans three floors, and includes “stunning views of downtown and the Cathedral,” Bauch said. The Historical Society is putting in an elevator and updating restrooms to make them compliant with the American Disabilities Act.

“We actually have our first leasing proposal for 7,500 square feet,” said Bauch, who declined to name the prospective tenant. “They want to move in in November, so we have to move more quickly than anticipated. The building is set up for smaller tenants, and we anticipate that we will get interest from nonprofits.”

The building doesn’t have all the amenities of a typical downtown office building — “We’re not going to have a coffee shop, we’re not going to have food services,” Bauch said — but it will have conference rooms, training rooms and a common area break room.

Bauch is currently the chair of the St. Paul Building Owners and Managers Association and serves on the city’s Business Review Council. She has also been active with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, and is a founding member of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. She previously served as general manager and leasing agent for 180 East Fifth St. in Lowertown.

Contact: fmelo@pioneerpress.com