Chateau Bu-Sche, which was open for 45 years, closed at the end of last year, and Rick Levin and Associates, Inc., a fine-home auctioneer based out of Chicago, is hosting the auction.
Levin, the principal of his company, said the building is “turnkey ready” to be used as a banquet facility, but other uses are possible.
“It’s designed to look like the White House,” Levin said. “Hundreds of thousands of people have attended weddings and other functions there over the years. It really is an idyllic setting.”
According to the listing, the property includes a 26,000-square-foot multi-use facility that sits on an 11.5-acre parcel and includes 325 parking spots.
The venue closed due to the owner retiring, according to the listing; Levin noted that while the pandemic hurt business, the owner just decided it was time to cease operations.
The property was previously valued at $12.5 million, and the suggested opening bid is $2.5 million.
The property was on the market previously, Levin said, and the last asking price was $4.5 million.
According to the listing, potential uses include a car dealership, event space, restaurant, senior housing, various medical uses, office space and educational uses.
Levin said auction bids typically don’t come in until the deadline date; his company has not “had a huge amount of calls, but we have had some interest,” including for banquet and food, retail and auto use.
On-site inspections will take place Aug. 24, Aug. 30 and Sept. 8, all from noon-2 p.m., and inspections are also available by appointment.
The property is located just west of Marist High School and just south of St. Casimir Cemetery.
The terms of sale are available at ricklevin.com.
“It shouldn’t be sitting vacant,” Levin said, “that’s for sure.”