This local community bank was located in a leased space in a retail center. Over the nine years since its founding, Portage Commerce Bank had steadily grown and expanded within the available lease space.

We were commissioned to design and oversee fast track construction of the bank's new home.

The clients had identified a potential location and we assisted them with evaluation of the site for access and zoning limitations. The building plan is linear and relatively narrow in order to allow parking and vehicular circulation around the entire perimeter.

The 10,000 s.f. bank is housed completely on the main floor, and leaseable space on the upper level will be used for future bank office needs. Until that growth occurs, the more than 11,000 s.f. of space will serve other tenants with lobby and circulation access separate from the bank.

The brick exterior is delineated with traditional elements which have been simplified in a contemporary interpretation. Standing seam metal roof, gutters and downspouts, and doors and windows are all finished to simulate an aged copper.

Entries at each side are two stories high, with arched ceilings continuing exterior arches into the building, and provide access to both the upper level and the bank lobby.

The bank lobby has a barrel vault ceiling configuration giving an open feeling to this interior space. The narrow width of the building, along with door side lights between perimeter offices and the bank lobby, allows light from and views to the outdoors. Lighting is provided by indirect cove and decorative pendant fixtures "washing" the barrel vault with light.

The drive-through lanes are incorporated into the body of the building with large brick columns and arches supporting a portion of the second story lease space.

Size
21,860 square feet

Owner
Portage Commerce Investors

Structural
Nehil Sivak
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Mechanical/Electrical
Engineering Plus, Inc.

Interior Design
Olson Interiors
South Haven, Michigan

Construction Managers
Whitaker Construction
Kalamazoo, Michigan