Realty offices move to former bank
National Parks Realty in Whitefish is cashing in on a golden opportunity to get their two locations together.
The business, which has grown in two separate locations over the years in downtown Whitefish and the Mountain Mall, has moved into the Mountain West Bank building at 601 Spokane Ave. Mountain West Bank will continue their drive up services until Oct. 17.
As of last week, the realty company began moving into their new residence, which offers more space for their offices.
“In our old buildings, we weren’t able to give our Realtors private offices,” said Paul Johannsen, managing partner at National Parks Realty. “Now, they can all have a private office and we have space for growth.”
With the move, the business will expand into 12,000 square feet total. They have filled the offices on the ground floor, and will eventually remodel the downstairs to house more offices.
Even though National Parks is still settling in, the realty company is already actively open.
“We’re open for service,” Johannsen said, “And we’re pretty darn excited for the new building. It’s great to have everyone under one roof.”
The building became available last year, according to Johannsen. A separate company, Great Northern Ventures, which is owned by Johannsen and several others who own both companies, has been looking into purchasing the property since the beginning of the year.
In April, they began negotiations, and eventually GNV purchased the Mountain West building on Aug. 13. The company currently leases the building to National Parks Realty.
In 2006, GNV bought what is colloquially called ‘Block 46’ — the block between Kalispell and Spokane Avenues and Second and Third Streets. The company originally sought to develop the block as a mixed-use building complex, but due to the real estate market crash, the company has been sitting on the lot since then.
They leased one building out to National Parks Realty, but otherwise, left the lot undeveloped.
This year, developers brought plans forward to construct a boutique hotel on the site, which spurred the relocation of the downtown National Parks office.
Mountain West Bank will be merging with First Interstate Bank, and will move into the First Interstate building on Oct. 17. Mountain West bank has been operating a drive-up only teller service since 2010. Federal law mandates that the bank give 60 days notice before shutting down teller services.
Now, inside the building, the bank has a secure area for their services. After the tellers move out, that area will be removed and turned into two more offices.
“It’s nice to stay close to downtown,” Johannsen said. “It’s nice visibility, and all the agents are very happy.”