The benevolence of Grand Rapids' movers and shakers has paid off in exquisite fashion with the noteworthy renovation of the old Federal Building, now known as the
Woodbridge N. Ferris Building, 17 Pearl St. NW. On Tuesday, June 18,
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University thanked the donors and partners who made the $31 million renovation project possible.
'Creative red' fashion-wear splashed color amid the cream interior as 150-plus guests roamed the building and enjoyed a cocktail reception and strolling dinner featuring Michigan fare. Those present were treated to an exclusive exhibition preview of "
Contemporaries, Then and Now: The Gordon Collection and West Michigan Painters."
Key project donors recognized at the event included Ferris State University, The Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, Meijer Foundation, The Wege Foundation, Herman Miller, Inc., The Frey Foundation, The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation and The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, George and Barbara Gordon, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, The Steelcase Foundation and Michael and Susan Jandernoa, The Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Nucraft Furniture Company, Haworth, Joseph Jeup, Inc., Dustin and Lisa Hoffman, and Sandi and Ron Steensma.
Among the partners recognized at the event were organizations that contributed to the project, including the City of Grand Rapids, the Michigan State Historic Preservation office, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the National Park Service, project developer and construction manager The Christman Company, architect of record Tower Pinkster, historic preservation consultants Hopkins Burns Design Studio, and interiors and furniture designers Via Design.
The 1909 Beaux Arts-Style building is listed on the National Register of Historic places and has received several industry awards, including the 2012 Adaptive Reuse Award, the
2013 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation, and the
Michigan Historic Preservation Network award, as well as LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Get involved:
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Take a class or attend a workshop at KCAD. Beginners are welcome.
Source: Sandra Davison-Wilson, VP Administration and Finance; KCAD website
Writer: Victoria Mullen, Do Good Editor
Images: Courtesy of KCAD website
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