(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (O-A-K), local professional construction firm, announces the completion of phase one renovations at 25 Ottawa in downtown Grand Rapids.
Owned and operated by Franklin Partners, LLC, the six-story office and retail building underwent a $3.5 million Class-A transformation to the exterior façade, lobby and shared tenant areas. The building is located next door to Van Andel Arena. All high-end finishes and upgrades were designed to heighten the original architectural style, showcasing the timber-frame construction and exposed interior structure.
“This project is another great example of the transformation of downtown Grand Rapids. Franklin Partners continues to reinvent and recreate spaces the way we typically only see in much larger cities. It’s exciting to be part of the process; taking their innovative visions and helping to make them realities.” commented Frank Stanek, O-A-K President & CEO.
Phase one scope included:
Exterior • New glass panel storefront with metal framing and honed-marble along first floor • Up-lit façade cornice display • 50-foot-tall glass and steel marquee surrounding the new Ottawa Avenue entrance, installed on a canted angle, extending outward and upward • New outdoor floor deck over the skywalk, as part of a newly improved tenant space • Restoration of fifth-floor windows to original size
Entryway and lobby • Demolition of existing lobby ceiling and stairwell (adjacent to former bar / restaurant space) to create a welcoming two-story atrium • Installation of a chandelier sculpture by electrical contractor, Feyen Zylstra. The fixture consists of 180 individual steel cables, each housing four LED down lights that illuminate suspended glass beads. • Radius back-painted glass wall separating the new lobby from future tenant space • LED back-lit aluminum feature walls on the first and third floors, showcasing the new “25 Ottawa” branding
Tenant improvements • Conversion of former storage space into state-of-the-art fitness center • Lower-level business and technology center that can accommodate up to 30 people for flexible meetings • Revamped skywalk connecting the building to Van Andel Arena with large format (50”x30”) porcelain floor tiles, lighting and reconfigured walls • Several repurposed spaces and re-used materials (former bank vault was converted to a towel room, many original Chicago common bricks were removed from interior walls and re-installed into new walls) • White box finishes in the potential restaurant area, with more intimate layout
Upcoming work • Streetscape improvements are set to begin in July, including brick pavers, planters, benches and bike racks • Brick restoration on the north and west sides of the building • Office and retail build-outs will be announced as tenants are secured
Construction began in August 2014. Wright Heerema Architects (Chicago, IL) and Concept Design Group (Grand Rapids, MI) provided design services. For more information about 25 Ottawa and Franklin Partners, LLC, visit http://franklinpartners.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Partners-LLC/425844014139881
