Original Construction
1932
Size
60,000 sqft (post office)
Completion Date
2003

In 2000, Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest natural gas and electric utility, initiated plans to consolidate approximately 2,000 employees from three locations in the Jackson area into a new headquarters facility. The resulting 10-acre, campus-like development in downtown Jackson centered on a new 14-story office tower and the restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1932 Old Main Post Office as the headquarters’ primary entrance. The site also incorporated a large plaza, landscaped green space, seating and walkways along the Grand River, multiple drop-off areas, and two parking decks providing a total of 800 spaces.

SmithGroup, the predecessor to HopkinsBurns Design Studio, was engaged to design the new headquarters, with its Historic Preservation Practice leading the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Neo-Classical Old Main Post Office. Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA, served as principal in charge of the restoration. The firm’s work included repairing and restoring the building’s exterior and entrance lobbies, as well as adapting the former sorting room and utility areas to accommodate the new program. All interventions affecting the historic structure were designed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. SmithGroup also coordinated with the U.S. Department of the Interior to obtain certification of the project as an Investment Tax Credit project.