The $28.5 million renovation of the former Federal Building in Grand Rapids (17 Pearl St. NW) is close to being ready for students and faculty this fall. The renovation will provide some 91,000 square feet of classroom and gallery space for
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
A soft opening earlier this week showcased the art of Kendall’s Studio Excellence Award winners -- students selected from the graduating class of 2012 -- and allowed visitors to take self-guided tours, the only sneak peek for the public until the facility opens later this fall.
"All the interior renovation is complete," says Dr. Oliver H. Evans, Kendall president. "We have expanded our sculpture program, so there are ceramics and metal facilities. We've established space for our new fashion studies program, and space for our new undergrad in collaborative design, which includes a materials library."
The building's most recent long-term use was as the site of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, which used the third and fourth floors as storage space. Those floors "have been completely redone and will be completely utilized," says Dr. Evans.
The original wide stairwells, the marble throughout the building, and many other historic aspects of the facility have been maintained, says Dr. Evans. The façade has been cleaned and the original windows replaced with historically accurate new windows.
In addition to more gallery and studio space for students, the building will have a small café.
"This building really allows Kendall to expand and to grow how it serves our credit and non-credit students," Evans says. "Kendall now occupies three city blocks -- where we are now (17 Fountain St. NW), the Federal Building and 5 Lyon student housing. We really have been able to create a community of learning in a revitalized downtown area where there's a developing and very rich arts community."
Construction and renovation:
The Christman Company
Source: Dr. Oliver H. Evans, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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