Client Challenge

Dating back to the 1860’s, “Corporation Hall” went though several renovations and no longer fit into the context of the surrounding urban neighborhood in downtown Kalamazoo. Originally constructed as a fire station, the building was converted into the first City Hall, then into library, a government building, and a department store which closed in 1956. The building was then leased for several years and sat vacant in the middle of the Kalamazoo Mall; a street filled with vibrant shops, restaurants and condos.  

Reaching the end of its useful life, the building was in need of a complete transformation. That’s when Catalyst Development turned to TowerPinkster to fulfill its vision of  creating a mixed-use development that would serve as a model for sustainable design in a vibrant, urban setting.

TowerPinkster Solution

The revitalized building features two floors of retail and five single-stall garages to accompany one and two-story residential lofts. Each unit also has access to a private rooftop terrace with a cedar pergola and a modular roof paver system.  

The building also features a green roof, a geothermal system, high-efficiency mechanical units, low consumption light fixtures and skylights. Materials from the existing structure were repurposed, and several resources were locally sourced. The building’s energy model shows that it will save more than 60% on energy costs as compared to a minimally compliant building.