Vacant since the 1920s, this second-floor space in Kalamazoo presented a unique opportunity to create four modern one-bedroom apartments that also preserve the historic character of the building.

Project work included:

• Converting the vacant second floor into four modern one-bedroom apartments
• Preserving select existing wood-framed walls and restoring original architectural details where feasible
• Leveling existing floors and installing new hardwood and tile flooring
• Restoring the original half-round windows along Michigan Avenue and preserving original window trim
• Installing new windows and adding balconies for the south-facing apartments along Bates Alley
• Preserving tall ceiling heights while integrating new HVAC equipment and a fire sprinkler system
• Repairing and re-plastering existing masonry walls and restoring both exterior façades
• Recreating the original base trim profile throughout the second floor
• Installing all new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems
• Replacing the building’s roof

The completed renovation balances modern residential amenities with historic preservation, breathing new life into a space that had remained vacant for over a century while creating new housing opportunities in Kalamazoo.