Grand Rapids' Owens-Ames-Kimball invests $1.2M to continue 120-year tradition downtown

Owen-Ames-Kimball has been a fixture in downtown Grand Rapids since the company launched in 1891, and now the 120-year-old construction and design firm is investing some $1.2M to revamp its company HQ and stay in the urban core.

The company, known for projects like Van Andel Institute's Phase II, Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and the restoration of Wealthy Theatre, has 85 West Michigan employees, including 27 headquartered at 300 Ionia Ave. NW. OAK renovated the two-level building back in 1980 and now its maroon interior is in need of an aesthetics overhaul.

"The old space had enclosed offices for everybody, with executive offices around the perimeter," says Bill Ogden, director of operations. "We've gutted it to create an open office space, added conference rooms and built a new glass entryway with an elevator on the southwest corner of the building."

One feature is a large community space outfitted with technology for training and company events. A sliding glass wall opens to a conference room. Both spaces look southward over downtown.

"We had just one relatively small conference room and never had a space to spend time to discuss trends," says President Bill Schoonveld. "Now everyone gets some daylight where they work and we have lots of room for collaboration."

OAK built the 14,000-square-foot structure in 1969. The renovation is part of the company's 120-year anniversary celebration.

"We've been talking the last six years, how do we fit everybody, do we sell and move, what would it take to stay here and allow for future growth?" Schoonveld says. "We're staying downtown because since 1891, we've seen the ups and the downs and the constant goings on down here, and we want to be a part of it."

OAK handled the design and construction. Construction will wrap up in December. Schoonveld expects the project will receive LEED certification.

Source: Bill Schoonveld, Bill Ogden, Rachael Ritzema, Owen-Ames-Kimball
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor