The Ballroom at McKay project marks the complete transformation of the historic Grand Rapids National Bank inside the iconic McKay Tower into a high-end rental space for banquets and special events. Features included restoring the original marble walls and gothic columns. This downtown Grand Rapids project presented a unique opportunity for O‑A‑K to continue the story our founders helped write nearly a century ago. O‑A‑K built the first three stories of McKay Tower, then known as Grand Rapids National Bank, in 1916, and we also built the eleven stories that were added in 1925.

The bulk of the renovated space, amid large gothic columns, remains open and airy with lots of natural light. With the capacity to hold 250 guests, new high-end ballroom event space will hold wedding receptions, business meetings, holiday parties and banquets. The project included an addition of a commercial kitchen on the Monroe Avenue side and the transformation of the former bank vault into a wine cooler. O‑A‑K worked closely with the Owner, Steadfast Property Holdings LLC to complete this $750,000 renovation project in a few short months.