Clients
ChoiceOne Bank
Location
Sparta, MI
ChoiceOne Bank hired First Companies to renovate a historic bank, built in 1837, in downtown Sparta. The goal was to restore the building to its former glory, preserving the original brick exterior. In addition to the brick, the team brought in limestone for the entrance to recreate the original façade. The client also wanted fresh, modern finishes to complement the exposed brick and original wooden rafters in the interior. First Companies partnered with Integrated Architecture on the project, which took just under a year to complete.
Using a Design/Build approach, First Companies was brought in early to work through the many anticipated challenges. Given the age of the building, there were numerous areas that were severely compromised over the years which required a fair amount of work and expertise to navigate. The team erected a steel frame inside to carry the load of the building during renovation.
The building is now handicap accessible with a new elevator and stairway to the basement. The project also included an updated lobby, six financial offices, restrooms, and an employee break room on the main level, as well as a beautiful new boardroom on the second floor. In addition to preserving the wood and brick, the team reused the old stamped tin ceilings to create a new cloud ceiling in the lobby. Glass partitions were added to the offices to bring in ample natural light throughout. Leveraging the combined expertise of the team, the renovation was completed on time and on budget.
