Specialty insurance group moving HQ downtown

Specialty insurance group moving HQ downtown
AmWINS Group's 6,954-square-foot space will be on second floor at 37 Ottawa Ave. NW. <strong>Courtesy AmWINS Group</strong>

AmWINS Group will move its West Michigan office from the suburbs to downtown Grand Rapids early next year.

The specialty insurance group plans to move its headquarters from 2851 Charlevoix Drive SE in Cascade Township to the newly renovated building at 37 Ottawa Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids in spring 2021, said building owner CWD Real Estate Investment.

The company’s new, 6,954-square-foot space will be on the building’s second floor, in Suite 202.

“We’ve been a part of West Michigan since 1970 when Charles McAlear founded McAlear Associates,” said Kelly Jones, AmWINS operations manager. “We look forward to continued success bringing AmWINS to the downtown area.”

The building at 37 Ottawa was built in 1887, and CWD acquired the property in 2012 and spend seven years renovating it into Class A office space, including restoring its façade and window arches and completely replacing all of the mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems.

“We are so excited to welcome AmWINS to downtown Grand Rapids, 37 Ottawa and the CWD family,” said Sam Cummings, managing partner of CWD. “(The company’s) choice of this iconic building validates our comprehensive restoration — everything aside from the structure in this building is brand new — including the custom-made insulated windows. This building truly represents the best of the old and the best of the new in an extraordinary location in the center of our city. We are grateful to them for choosing our city — and our team for caring for their new headquarters.”

Jones said AmWINS is excited to tap into the city of Grand Rapids’ “growth and vibrancy.”

“It will be advantageous to become a part of this dynamic growth in 2021,” she said.

The 37 Ottawa building also is home to Trellis, Korte & Kowatch and Townsquare Media.

AmWINS currently has 118 locations across 31 states and 12 countries. The group offers a variety of benefits products, specializing in property, casualty, professional lines and specialty group offerings.