The Ballroom at McKay Opens

McKay Tower turns former 2nd floor bank to be state-of-the-art banquet space

Downtown Grand Rapids’ most historic high rise opens its event space, the Ballroom at McKay, on Friday, May 17.

The 10,900 SF rental space, which includes a commercial kitchen, sits in a former bank lobby on the second floor of McKay Tower.

The Ballroom at McKay, as it is called, will be used for special events such as wedding receptions, business meetings, holiday parties and banquets. The space, which intends to offer alcohol service, will accommodate approximately 200 guests.

The project was renovated by Owen Ames Kimball (O-A-K); architect was Craig Architects of Grand Rapids and the interior design was led by Kathryn Chaplow, LLC.

Founded in Grand Rapids in1891, O-A-K shares more than a zip code with the iconic downtown building.

“Our company built the original two-story building, then known as Grand Rapids National Bank, in 1915, and we also built the twelve stories that were added in 1925,” says President, Frank Stanek. “Our history is really important to us at O-A-K. What a great opportunity this is to continue the story that our founder’s helped write nearly a century ago.”

The 10,900 square foot renovation of McKay Tower’s second floor was approved by the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission in November 2012. The building is located at 146 Monroe Center NW in downtown Grand Rapids

“McKay Tower is a centerpiece of downtown Grand Rapids, so it’s only fitting that there be a public space for everyone to enjoy,” said Chaundra Derks, Director of Operations for Steadfast Property Holdings, the company that owns the building. “We hope that this project is viewed as a welcome addition to the City in that a vacant grand space will be returned to use for the enjoyment of the public.”

The Ballroom at McKay has been renovated in way that showcases the historic charm while providing the amenities required for modern event production, including a state-of-the- art sound and lighting system and commercial kitchen. The original marble walls have been restored back to their original beauty. The original bank deposit table still resides in the space at the front entrance and the original bank vault is used as a wine cellar. The Ballroom at McKay comes fully-furnished with the most impeccable tables, chairs, and glassware available.

This investment by Steadfast is one of several renovations to the historic building. Façade improvements are currently undergoing and new elevators are being installed. Last fall the company made interior renovations to the first floor lobby and renovated the 15th floor to accommodate residential apartments.

Learn more about the Ballroom at McKay at www.mckaytower.com

Apartment rentals are hot property in downtown Grand Rapids

One thing that downtown Grand Rapids has going for it: old buildings, many of them empty. Another thing: Demand from people who want to rent an apartment downtown — young people, in particular — has spilled onto waiting lists.

In response, developers are renovating downtown buildings as quickly as City Hall will allow, putting as few as four rental units in some buildings, 30-40 in others and more than 100 in a few.

Developer Sam Cummings, the principal and managing partner of CWD Real Estate Investment, is a believer in rental development in downtown Grand Rapids.

“There is room to run with apartments,” he said. “Rents are doing quite well and occupancy, for all intents, is 100 percent.”

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Renovations Coming For McKay Tower

The outside of the McKay Tower in Grand Rapids will be getting a facelift this spring. It’s part of Steadfast Properties’ long-term renovation plans.

The building includes tenants such as Subs-N-More, Biggby Coffee, Kilwin’s and Sushi Yama.

The primary work will be cleaning and rust-proofing the steel behind the terra cotta exterior of the fourth floor. Scaffolding will be set up along the building’s foundation, but all retail tenants will continue to operate as normal. They’ll put up protective canopies to cover the public entrances.

Repairs are expected to last through late summer. They’ll happen between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Steadfast plans the early spring start date so the renovations will be completed in time to use outdoor seating areas when the weather gets warmer, and have everything available for ArtPrize in the fall.

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Exterior repair planned for McKay Tower

The exterior of McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids will get an early spring cleaning, as the historic high-rise undergoes some exterior renovations.

The project is part of the building owner’s long-term renovation plans.

The exterior repairs are scheduled to start in March and last through late summer, and be performed between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, according to a news release.

Scaffolding will soon be set up along portions of the building’s foundation at 146 Monroe Center. Protective walk-thru canopies will cover the building’s public entrances through the duration of the project, including entrances to all the building’s retail tenants. All retail tenants will continue to operate as normal during the construction.

“McKay Tower needs some exterior repair, so we’ll be working diligently to bring the building back to historic charm while ensuring the structure itself is completely taken care of,” said Chaundra Derks, operations manager for the building’s owner Steadfast Properties. “We will do all we can to minimize distractions to our retail and commercial tenants, and hope that the public will continue to support them as well.”

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Historic high-rise to get a touchup

McKay Tower to undergo exterior touch up work starting in March

The historic McKay Tower is scheduled to undergo some exterior renovations starting in March and lasting through late summer.

Scaffolding and machinery are currently being set up along the foundation of the building. Protective walk-thru canopies will cover the building’s public entrances through the duration of the project, including entrances to all the building’s retail tenants. Additionally, all retail tenants will continue to operate as normal during the construction.

“McKay Tower needs some exterior repair, so we’ll be working diligently to bring the building back to historic charm while ensuring the structure itself is completely taken care of,” said Chaundra Derks, Operations Manager for the building’s owner Steadfast Properties. “We will do all we can to minimize distractions to our retail and commercial tenants, and hope that the public will continue to support them as well.”

The primary work that will be performed is cleaning and rust-proofing the structural steel behind the terra cotta exterior of the fifth floor. Grand Rapids-based restoration contractor D.C. Byers Company will performing the rust-proofing repairs while Illinois-based structural engineering firm WJE Engineers will oversee the entire project.

The repairs are part of Steadfast’s long-term $4m investment in enhancing the historic high-rise.

“WJE informed us when we were purchasing the building that exterior repairs were necessary, so we decided to pursue this work sooner than later to avoid further damage,” Derks adds. “We hope our retail tenants and building guests understand these repairs are necessary.”

Steadfast intentionally chose March to begin some of the repairs, specifically near Biggby and Kilwins so to be completed before outdoor seating areas are in full swing. “So much of these repairs are weather-dependent, but we’ll do all we can to minimize interfering with any outside seating,” said Derks.

First floor building tenants include Subs-N-More, Biggby Coffee, Kilwins and Tanaz Hair Salon. Lower level tenants include Sushi Yama, Chic’s Frame & Poster and Charlie’s Shoe Repair.

All repairs will be performed between 7:00am and 4:00pm on weekdays.