High-rise development to open East Liberty Street leasing center after candy store closes

This & That announced Sept. 29 that it would close the store at 611 E. Liberty Street by November, opening up a 1,260-square-foot space in downtown Ann Arbor.

Zaragon West, the student high-rise development being constructed on the corner of East William and Thompson, will now use the space as a leasing office for 10 months, said Brendan Cavender of Colliers International, who represented Zaragon in the deal.

The East Liberty Street building is owned by a trust, which is managed by Ann Arbor real estate company Oxford Cos. In early October, the space was listed for an annual $38 per square foot with Bluestone Realty Advisors.

Deb Pearson of Bluestone said that although she is sad to see This & That close, the space is great for a Zaragon West leasing office.

“It is the perfect use for the space and the timing couldn’t be better for everyone involved,” she said in an email. “We are excited about this new development.”

Landmark, a student high-rise formerly called 601 Forest, has its leasing center just down the street from Zaragon’s new office at 527 E. Liberty St. Landmark construction is under way at the corner of South University and South Forest.

There will be about 250 beds at Zaragon West, and more than 600 at Landmark. Both high-rises are projected to open by fall 2012.