Developers to create 90 jobs with construction of downtown Holland office plaza

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Developers broke ground last week on Plaza East, a four-story, 45,000-square-foot office building in downtown Holland. Future business tenants looking to expand their square footage and their workforce will lead the way in creating up to 90 new jobs in the building.

"The jobs will be primarily professional and support jobs that would go into a service business," said Kris DePree, who is developing the property with Jim Stroop of Lakewood Construction.

"For instance," DePree said, "we’re talking to a law firm who’s looking at expanding and bringing in more lawyers, paralegals, etc. The fourth floor tenant, who I can’t name yet, will be expanding and hiring, and a Grand Rapids firm wants to have a Holland presence and will be needing to fill those offices."

Contamination from previous occupants—a gas station and a dry cleaning store—created a Brownfield redevelopment zone on the site. As a result, on May 15 the Michigan Economic Development Corporation awarded the project $702,000 in state and local tax captures.

DePree expects the total investment in the property and construction to be about $9 million. Lakewood Construction will build the facility. GMB Architects &Engineering designed the building and its interiors. Grubb & Ellis Focus Properties is handling the marketing and leasing.

Source: Kris DePree, Grubb & Ellis Focus Properties

Deborah Johnson Wood is Development News Editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at

[email protected].

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