Contact: Bill Walker
Legacy Trust, 616.454.2852
or
Mary Ann Sabo
Sabo Public Relations, 616.485.1432
Legacy Trust Signs Long-Term Lease for New Office Space
Firm Remains in Downtown Grand Rapids, Doubles Footprint at 99 Monroe
Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 30, 2014 – Fueled by growth demands, Legacy Trust has signed a long-term lease for new office space that will double its footprint in downtown Grand Rapids and provide a more collaborative work environment for its expanding team.
The investment and wealth management provider has begun the initial build out of the 14,000 square feet of space that comprises the sixth floor of 99 Monroe Ave. NW, which is own by Chicago- and Grand Rapids-based Franklin Partners. Legacy Trust expects to move its 17-member team into the new space by Sept. 1 – just in time for ArtPrize 2014.
Franklin Partners purchased 99 Monroe in 2012 and has spent two years – and more than $4.5 million – on a renovation that updates common areas, entrances and connecting skywalks, as well as building mechanicals. William Walker, president and CEO of Legacy Trust, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, said the result is “pure Class A space” that wowed his team.
The building, which houses a popular Panera Bread location on the ground floor and numerous other amenities, has attracted several new tenants over the last year, including Worklab by Custer, the Wege Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Gruel, Mills, Nims & Pylman PLLC.
“We are incredibly pleased to be the newest tenant in 99 Monroe,” Walker said. “We moved into our current space when we launched the business a decade ago and have now outgrown it. We wanted to find an exceptional space that would allow us room to continue growing for the next 10 years – and we did.
“There was a strong consensus among our team that our business belongs in downtown Grand Rapids where we can support the city and its business community. Having the ability to design the space exactly the way we want will accommodate our emerging family office practice as well as offering more innovative workspace that will benefit all our clients and our team. We are looking forward to moving in.”
Walker credited Chip and Bill Bowling of XVentures for identifying the property and successfully negotiating a 10-year lease. Rockford Construction will serve as the general contractor for the project with Concept Design providing architectural and interior design support. Custer Inc. will provide all of the new office furnishings.
But it was the ability to build the space out from its “white box” condition that intrigued Walker most.
“Concept Design is developing a floorplan that will allow us to have a more open and collaborative space,” he explained. “Various team members in fiduciary, investment, administrative and support roles will be able to work together more easily in an environment that will encourage connectivity and creativity.”
The new space will also house Legacy Trust’s family office practice, providing dedicated office space – and enhanced confidentiality and discretion – for clients.
Legacy Trust continues to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a yearlong series of special events, client gatherings and volunteer activities. Launched on Feb. 4, 2004, Legacy Trust is one of West Michigan’s only chartered banks focused on providing investment and wealth management services to individuals, families, foundations and non-profits. The firm offers highly personalized financial solutions tailored to meet the unique family situation of each client and exceptionally responsive client service.
The firm is also celebrating the fifth year of the Legacy Trust Award Collection, a statewide competition open to adult artists with disabilities that enables them to enter ArtPrize. In May, a record 88 artists from across Michigan displayed paintings, sculpture, fiber art, photography, drawings, glass and other types of art during a two-day art show at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The work of the four winning LTAC artists will be displayed at DeVos Place during ArtPrize this fall.
About Legacy Trust
Legacy Trust is an independent, locally owned, Michigan-chartered bank that specializes in providing investment and wealth management services to individuals, families, foundations and non-profits in West Michigan. Legacy Trust delivers highly customized financial and investment solutions tailored to meet the unique situation of each client. For more information, visit us at www.legacygr.com.
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