WARNER BUILDINGAT 180 E. WATER STREET

    Market Sector-Grayscale
    Market Sector Commercial
    Location-Grayscale
    Location Kalamazoo, MI
    Completion Date-Grayscale
    Completion Date 2021
    Contract Value-Grayscale
    Contract Value $90M
    Architect-Grayscale
    Architect TowerPinkster

    CSM Group managed the construction of Catalyst Development Co.’s new build, the Warner Building at 180 E. Water Street in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. The $90 million, 290-square-foot mixed-use building transformed part of a city-owned parking lot into a seven-story building with two floors of residential housing, four floors of Class A office space and a multi-level 300-plus space parking deck.

    This development brings new life to what was a surface parking lot, significantly improving the overall use through a place-making initiatives; a mixed-use, high-density development that maximizes green space and public areas. The design of the building serves as a stimulant for further development downtown. Combining spaces for living and working, building tenants and surrounding pedestrians will enjoy snowmelt sidewalks and convenient accessibility. Tenants of this property include The Kalamazoo Promise®️ Institute, Communities in Schools, Warner Norcross and Judd LLP, and Southwest Michigan First.
     
    CSM Group worked with WMU’s College of Engineering & Applied Science by hosting The Warner Building as a capstone project for a group of senior engineering students. As part of our integrated learning approach, these students made site visits with the project team during critical milestones to understand the challenges and unique situations that can arise during a project of this magnitude.
     
    In terms of site conditions, the building is located in what used to be a surface parking lot, so there are some environmental soil conditions that affect construction means and methods. The site was managed under a Due Care Plan. Also, since the building is designed to be seven stories when constructed, the foundations include auger cast piles. The structure is cast-in- place and as the building includes an internal parking deck, there are critical isolation/expansion details to separate occupied and non-occupied space.