By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Bill Howard and Jean Treece, partners in Grand Rapids-based Howard P.C., seriously considered moving their law firm to Byron Center to accommodate the company’s growth. But their hearts were in Heartside, the crux of downtown’s emerging entertainment district, and since the firm was already at 64 Ionia SW, they looked for new digs in the same area.
On April 1, the firm moved into a second floor suite in the Lemon Wheeler Building, 25 Ionia SW, boosting their operating space to 2,100 square feet—a 40 percent increase.
“We like the entertainment district because it’s more uplifting, more vibrant than other parts of downtown,” says Bill Howard. “The businesses here seem to be more vibrant and alive.”
The $30,000 buildout includes five private offices, an elevated conference room surrounded by sleek contemporary glass walls, a kitchen/copy area, and a smaller conference room that’s handicap accessible. Rich, dark wood highlights the lighter tones of the exposed brick walls. Full-length windows with cornices and deep sills accentuate the height of the 14-foot ceilings and flood the room with natural light.
“Accessibility to the highway was a key factor in our decision to remain on Ionia,” says Jean Treece. “And many of our clients come to the area for recreation at the (Van Andel) Arena, McFadden’s or HopCat; they’re already familiar with the area and they know where parking is, so the location is convenient for them.”
Mark Schaafsma of Design Build handled the design and construction. Furniture came from Michigan Office Environments, Kalamazoo.
Source: Bill Howard and Jean Treece, Howard PC; Ellie Frey, Second Story Properities
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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