Federal Building to W.N. Ferris Building: Renewal and Reconstruction

by Thomas R. Mathison and Gene Hopkins

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Grand Rapids was in a period of rapid growth. New commercial, manufacturing, and civic buildings helped meet the demands of an expanding community and economy. The existing Federal Courthouse and Post Office was no longer large enough to handle the increasing load.

Federal Courthouse and Post Office, Ottawa Ave and Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids in the 1920s

So in 1909, construction began on a new courthouse and post office building — on the same site as the old building. In 1912, the building that became known as the Old Federal Building was completed and opened for business. For over 100 years, this building has served a range of functions, adaptively modified to retrain its character while serving new audiences. In 2013, it began its service as a place for higher education in art and design for Ferris State University and Kendall College of Art and Design. Come and hear from the design architects of this transformation about the journey to make this a reality.

“Federal Building to W.N. Ferris Building: Renewal and Reconstruction”, Thursday, March 10, 2016, 7:00 p.m.at Kendall College of Art & Design: Woodbridge W.N. Ferris “The Fed” Bldg, presented by Thomas R. Mathison and Gene Hopkins.