The former Charley’s Crab restaurant, a prominent landmark on Grand Rapids’ bustling riverfront, is slated for demolition to make way for potential redevelopment in the area. RDV Corporation, acting on behalf of the DeVos family office, has filed a permit to demolish the vacant structure at 63 Market Ave. SW, situated adjacent to US-131 and a surface parking lot along the Grand River.

The seafood restaurant, operated by Houston-based Landry’s Inc., had been a cornerstone of downtown Grand Rapids’ dining scene for over three decades since its opening in 1982. However, the restaurant succumbed to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and permanently closed in 2020.

Grand Rapids-based Pitsch Companies will undertake the demolition using a hydraulic excavator, with an estimated project cost of $70,000. The demolition aligns with ongoing infrastructure improvements in the area aimed at fostering future development.

The Charley’s Crab property forms part of a 31-acre stretch identified by Grand Action 2.0 and the city of Grand Rapids as a potential site for mixed-use developments surrounding the planned Acrisure Amphitheater. Approximately 11 acres of this private and city-owned land are earmarked for the amphitheater itself, while the remaining riverfront area around 201 Market Ave. is envisioned to accommodate a mix of housing, commercial spaces, and green spaces. Concept drawings released by Grand Action 2.0 depict high-rise buildings on the Charley’s Crab property, hinting at the possibilities for future development.