Project Description:
Uptown Developments/500 Block, LLC has begun construction on the Rowe Incorporated Headquarters/Mixed-Use project that will change the look of downtown Flint’s main thoroughfare. The Rowe project includes the adaptive re-use of three historic buildings on the west side of the 500 Block of Saginaw Street. Built between 1880 and 1920, the buildings will be renovated into one modern office-loft-retail building with a soaring four story lobby atrium.
The development involves new construction as well as the renovation of three existing buildings (including the former Maas Brothers department store, Carlton’s Stationers, and Jewelry World). The second and third floors will be transformed into offices for Rowe Incorporated’s Corporate Headquarters while themed restaurants will be located on the main level, a nightclub will occupy the basement, and eight loft apartments will fill up the fourth floor.
Rowe Incorporated will be the main tenant in the building consolidating its more than 100 employees from several southeast Michigan offices into the new downtown Flint headquarters.
The focal point of the project will be a new four-story glass atrium. A suspended catwalk bridge will connect the north and south ends of the building, while exposed brick and windows into the atrium will give the development an industrial aesthetic.
The project is especially challenging since all three buildings were constructed at different times and with different construction methods. Carlton’s Stationers, the shortest of the three existing buildings was built using large steel beams and concrete, while the other two buildings were constructed out of steel girders and wood. To make the project more challenging, all three buildings have different floor levels which will be adjusted with ramps and stairs to create one continuous office floor. As part of the construction process, a third and fourth floor will be added to the Carlton’s building, a fourth floor will be added to the former Jewelry World building and the second, third, and fourth floors of the former Maas Building will be totally removed and rebuilt.
The eight loft style apartments will range in size from 1,400 square feet to 2,500 square feet. Each of the apartments feature lofted bedroom levels and game rooms. The apartments have large windows for taking in the city views, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, washing machines and dryers.
The project is being partially funded by a $3.8-million federal loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that is accompanied by a $1 million Brownfield Economic Development Initiative grant. Additional financing is being provided by New Markets tax credits, historic tax credits and SBT/Brownfield tax credits. Citizens Bank is providing the remaining financing for the project.
Background Information:
Currently, Rowe has five offices located in Michigan. The consolidation of their offices into downtown Flint with more than 100 knowledge-based jobs including engineers, surveyors, landscape architects, planners, technicians, and managers is a positive step in diversifying Flint’s economy with non-automotive jobs.
For Additional information Contact:
Scott Whipple
Project Manager, Uptown Developments, LLC
(810) 238-5555 scott@uptowndevelopments.com
