The cost of the project is $21 million, according to DavidGrasso, president and CEO of the company that owns the building."The cost will be shared by HOB and Grasso Holdings," he tellsGlobeSt.com, "and we have also obtained some government funding andhistoric preservation tax credits."

The building dates back to the early 1920s and was originally ashowroom and assembly plant for Packard motorcars. As MetroDevelopment, Grasso's company converted the building into acombination of office and luxury residential rental space in 2004and renamed it the Packard Grande.

The House of Blues music hall will occupy the basement level inwhat was once a bank vault and be framed by the original safetydeposit boxes. The full-service public restaurant will be on theground floor along with a small HOB retail shop. It will host Houseof Blues' Sunday gospel brunches, featuring live gospelperformances.