The old Barnes & Noble building, 333 E. Grand River Ave., has a new user, according to East Lansing Planning & Community Development Director Tim Dempsey.
Christman Company, the owner of the space, declined to comment but there are rumors that Jackson National Life Insurance Co. will use the 35,000 square-foot building for office space. City Pulse published a story about the new occupant, citing anonymous sources on Friday.
Dempsey said a media release from the owner is expected sometime this week.
Construction has been in progress for about two weeks on the vacant building, where a look through the front doors reveal that the escalators have been removed.
“The challenge of leasing that space … is because of its sheer size,” Dempsey said. “It’s difficult to find a user to occupy all of that space.”
Barnes & Noble’s last day of business was Dec. 31, 2011.
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