Huntington Bank Invests in Grand Rapids Downtown Redevelopment with New Regional Headquarters

Huntington makes long-term commitment to the city with office relocation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Huntington Bank (www.huntington.com) announced today a regional headquarters move to a recently renovated historic downtown landmark that will contribute to the ongoing redevelopment renaissance in the heart of the city. Huntington is moving its regional headquarters to the Michigan Trust Building on the southeast corner of Pearl and Ottawa streets. The bank will make the move in the second half of 2015 and will serve as the anchor tenant. Plans also call for a branch to be opened, adding to the vitality of the area.

Huntington’s name will continue to emblazon the Grand Rapids skyline on the cornice of the Michigan Trust Building for many years, as the bank has made a long-term commitment to the building and the urban core.

“Huntington’s ongoing investment in downtown Grand Rapids reflects our commitment to the city,” said John Irwin, Huntington’s West Michigan region president. “We are looking forward to making the Michigan Trust Building our new home. We are confident that as the building’s new anchor, we will help assert its reputation as one of the finest business addresses downtown and honor its status as a landmark workplace for more than 120 years.”

Completed in 1891 and designed by Solon S. Beman, the architect of many Chicago landmark buildings, the Michigan Trust Building was at one time the tallest building in the state. President Theodore Roosevelt once addressed the city from the building and it was the home of Gerald Ford’s first law office. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“I applaud Huntington and CWD Real Estate for working together on this creative investment in downtown,” said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. “Huntington’s relocation enhances its downtown employment base and opens up opportunities for the repurposing of 50 Monroe. It is outstanding to have a local workforce so committed to downtown. I am sure Huntington’s commitment to the Michigan Trust Building will have residents thinking of it as Huntington’s home as soon as the move is complete.”

“Huntington is an important partner that understands how ongoing revitalization downtown is building critical momentum for the street-by-street revitalization of Grand Rapids’ core,” said CWD Real Estate Investment Managing Partner Sam Cummings. “CWD is very pleased to continue working with Huntington as the company and its people collaborate with us to create a working environment for the future that contributes to downtown’s growth and our City’s recognition as the place in our region to work, live and play.”

Huntington’s new offices make room for 20 regional employees to be relocated to its downtown workforce, for an increased total of more than 120. Steelcase is working with Custer to design an innovative work environment for the more than 30,000 square feet of space.

Huntington’s Grand Rapids announcement comes at a time of ongoing growth in Michigan for the company, notably with Meijer in-store branch expansion launched in 2012 that has resulted in approximately 40 new Michigan branch locations across the state. Furthermore, Huntington announced in late 2013 partnership in the Pure Michigan Micro Lending Initiative that will create Huntington-backed community microlending partnerships throughout the state with future plans for a Grand Rapids-based initiative.

Huntington has continued to emphasize branch and deposit growth in Michigan, including the recent acquisition of 24 Bank of America branches in Holland, Muskegon, Flint, Monroe and the Saginaw area. Huntington has also exceeded a $2 billion commercial and small business lending goal established for the state in 2011 ahead of its scheduled commitment, among other supportive growth commitments within Michigan.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $64 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, and its affiliates provide full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state retail banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,500 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state retail banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and Northeast states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

Huntington
Brent Wilder, 614-480-5875
brent.wilder@huntington.com

Source: Huntington

Released November 3, 2014