Northern Michigan boat company buys Grand Traverse Bay property with plans for new marina, condos
Posted By: mlive on August 14, 2025. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
For nearly 80 years Walstrom Marine has had a presence on the Great Lakes. With its new acquisition on Grand Traverse Bay, the boat company is looking to expand its footprint once again.
Walstrom Marine, in partnership with Far Side Properties, acquired the Viridian commercial office building on the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. Founded in Harbor Springs, Walstrom locations now span Northern Michigan and stretch down the Lakeshore. Locations offer dealership options, maintenance, parts, storage and docking.
Walstrom Marine has properties in Harbor Springs, Traverse City, Bay Harbor, Charlevoix, Holland, Cheboygan and Algonac.
The new property plans for Grand Traverse Bay aren’t set in stone but ideas include a full-scale marina with facilities or a mixed-use development with condominiums and a private marina.
The company will be looking for community feedback before moving forward said Kyle Oleson, General Manager of Walstrom Marine in Traverse City.
“Living and working in the Grand Traverse area, we know that lake access for boaters has reached a critical status,” Oleson said. “Folks are waiting upwards of a decade to get a slip. We want to be part of the solution.”
Tom Ervin, President of Walstrom Marine, added that this project has been 18 months in the making. As the decision process continues, Viridian remains open and will continue to operate as a commercial office building.
“Admittedly, it is a complex, challenging project, but seeing the positive impact it could have by meeting community needs and supporting the transformation of this immediate area, it’s definitely worth the effort. We are excited to see this project come to life,” Ervin said.
Walstrom owns and operates marinas in Harbor Springs and Algonac, totaling 526 boat slips. The remainder of its properties operate as dealerships.
Walstrom Marine represents iconic brands on the water like Chris Craft, Pursuit, Regal, Sea Ray, and Tiara.
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