Construction Firm Breaks Ground on New Kalamazoo Office
The expansion creates an 8,870-square-foot regional hub to support operations in the Michigan market.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Construction
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Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. has officially broken ground on an 8,870-square-foot office building located at 4755 Campus Drive in Kalamazoo. The facility, situated on a 4.28-acre site, is designed to support the construction firm's regional expansion.
Why it matters
The investment marks a permanent commitment to the local market for the construction contractor, which has maintained operations in Kalamazoo since 2013. The new office provides additional square footage to manage growing regional project demand.
The new 8,870-square-foot office sits on a 4.28-acre parcel in the Western Michigan University Business, Technology and Research Park. The scale of the build addresses company growth in the region since operations began in 2013, though total project costs remain undisclosed.
The players
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
A construction firm founded in 1891 that manages large-scale commercial and industrial builds across multiple industries.
Ghafari Associates, LLC
An architecture and engineering design firm specializing in commercial and industrial facility planning.
Kalamazoo Planning Commission
The municipal body responsible for zoning and development approval for commercial projects within the city.
The details
The project, designed by Ghafari Associates, LLC, received unanimous approval from the Kalamazoo Planning Commission in June 2026. By moving into a purpose-built facility within the local research park, the company aims to centralize its local administrative and project management operations. The construction phase is now underway with the building expected to be ready for occupancy by summer 2027.
Timeline
1891: Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. was founded in Grand Rapids.
2013: Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. established its Kalamazoo office.
June 2026: The Kalamazoo Planning Commission approved the office project.
October 15, 2026: Ground was broken at the 4755 Campus Drive site.
Summer 2027: Construction is scheduled to be completed.
Market Landscape
The project follows the established pattern of professional services firms consolidating administrative operations within the Western Michigan University Business, Technology and Research Park. This move reflects a broader trend of construction firms anchoring themselves in dedicated research and technology hubs.
Local operators should watch for increased utilization of the research park as a hub for regional support services. Review procurement needs for upcoming large-scale projects, as this facility expansion signals a long-term increase in the firm's local capacity.
The takeaway
This development highlights the shift toward permanent regional hubs for construction contractors managing multi-industry project portfolios. Operators should monitor the progress of similar builds in the research park as a signal of local commercial market stability.
What happens next
Construction is expected to conclude in summer 2027, marking the transition from development to full occupancy.
Further reading
For more on industry growth and facility development, see Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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