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Origins and Early Days

The Mertens Hotel building, located at 35 Oakes Street SW, was originally built in 1914 as part of the urban expansion of downtown Grand Rapids. At this time, the city was becoming a prominent center for furniture manufacturing, and the demand for accommodations increased as the city attracted business visitors, factory workers, and traveling salesmen.

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The building was initially named Hotel Radisson, designed in the Second Renaissance Revival architectural style, which was popular in the early 1900s. Its brick exterior, arched windows, and corniced roofline were key features typical of this style.

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The Mertens Hotel Era

In the 1920s, the building was renamed the Mertens Hotel after being acquired by George Mertens, a local businessman. The hotel became a central hub for traveling salesmen (often referred to as “drummers”), who were pivotal in promoting Grand Rapids’ furniture and other industries.

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The Mertens Hotel was a modest establishment, known more for its practicality and affordability than for luxury. It catered to travelers looking for a comfortable and convenient place to stay while conducting business in the bustling downtown area. Its proximity to the railroad station made it particularly attractive to visitors.

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Decline and Change of Use

As the economy shifted in the mid-20th century and Grand Rapids underwent industrial changes, the demand for small-scale hotels like Mertens decreased. By the 1960s and 1970s, the building had ceased to operate as a hotel and went through various transformations, serving as a residential space and for commercial use.

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Like many other historic buildings in downtown Grand Rapids, the Mertens Hotel fell into disrepair as the neighborhood and the downtown core experienced economic challenges.

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Revitalization and Modern Era

In the early 21st century, Grand Rapids began to see significant investment and revitalization in its downtown area. As part of this broader resurgence, the Mertens Hotel building was restored to preserve its historical architecture while transforming it for modern use.

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In 2017, the space was reborn as Mertens Prime, previously a French brasserie-style restaurant located on the ground floor of the historic building. The restaurant’s concept has changed but the essence still remains to pays homage to the history of the hotel, with many original architectural details preserved, including the tile floors, high ceilings, and ornate trim that reflect the building’s early 20th-century charm. The build out to include the Rooftop of the building is our way of showing just how far this city has come since the building was first added to downtown Grand Rapids. 

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Today, Mertens Prime & Rooftop in the Mertens Hotel building stands as a symbol of Grand Rapids’ history, blending the past with the present. Our goal is an adaptive reuse of the bones of this beautiful building to further the city’s ongoing efforts to celebrate its heritage while creating new opportunities for businesses and cultural experiences.

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The heartfelt feeling that our company strives for is that we at Mertens Prime & Rooftop just want to do our part to preserve the past while showcasing its standing beauty in the present.

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