Electrical Contractor Moves Headquarters into Old School

Feyen Zylstra, an electrical contractor, has moved its headquarters into and old abandoned elementary school in the Grand Rapids, Mich., area. The headquarters consists of 80 employees, and the move "unifies" its executive offices, warehouse and design staff in a common space that reflects its mission, according to an Associated Press report.

The school, which was closed by Kenowa Hills in 2010, was purchased by Feyen Zylstra along with 10 acres for $475,000. The company spent more than $3 million to convert the building into a modern work space. Before the move, Feyen Zylstra had been spread across three locations in the greater Grand Rapids area. Founded by Marlin Feyen and Robert Zylstra in 1980, the company has grown to have annual sales of more than $55 million, with satellite offices in Traverse City and Nashville, Tenn.

The new offices were designed to take advantage of the old school building's space while adapting the classrooms, office and gym to Feyen Zylstra's high-tech work environment, the AP report said. While the 44,000-square-foot building was not remodeled to meet LEED certification, the remodeling project still focused on the LEED objectives of reusing materials and improved energy efficiency.