Sneak a peek inside the historic McKay Tower bank lobby that is being converted into a ballroom

Chaundra Derks has had the keys to McKay Tower for several months, but she’s still discovering hidden nooks and crannies.

The building, which has more than a dozen bank vaults stashed here and there, is in the midst of an upgrade project being undertaken by it’s new owners, Steadfast Property Holdings Inc., of which Derks is director of operations.

“I love the history behind this building,” she said. “I love walking through here and finding things like safes and boarded-up elevator shafts in the closet.”

Steadfast, owned by Jonathan Borisch, founder of Borisch Manufacturing of Kentwood (now Amphenol Borisch Technologies), has been busy resealing windows, fixing the façade and making other internal upgrades to the grand dame of Grand Rapids skyscrapers since purchasing the building for $10.5 million in May.

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