Smith Haughey Helps Fill the ‘Hole’ at the Corner of East Front and Park Streets in Traverse City
Law firm set to move in the Fall of 2010
June 10, 2010, Traverse City, Mich. - The law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, along with developers Big Olives2, LLC and Dargaworks, Inc., today announced that the law firm has committed to lease the bulk of the commercial portion of the new 101 North Park Building, located at the intersection of East Front and Park Streets in downtown Traverse City.
Since 1990, Smith Haughey has operated an office in Traverse City. Initially, the office was located at 128 W. State St. where it opened its doors with seven attorneys on the roster. Currently, the firm serves clients from two floors in the City Centre Plaza Building at 202 E. State Street. In the last 20 years, the office has more than quadrupled in size to include 30 lawyers, as well as four paralegals and 15 professional staff.
"Smith Haughey's decision to move was principally based on our need for more space and greater efficiency. Tom McIntyre and his staff at City Centre Plaza have been great landlords for the last 12 years, but we simply needed more room," says real estate attorney and Traverse City office managing partner Robert W. Parker. "We've had steady growth for 20 years in Traverse City. As client demand grew, we added new practice specialties and attorneys to meet those needs. We don't see that trend abating in the future."
The new building is being constructed on property that was previously a vacant, much-maligned hole in the heart of the highly visible business and shopping district. Smith Haughey will occupy about 80% of the commercial space in the building that includes one-half of the first and all of the second floor.
"Our lawyers and staff are committed to this community and in particular to downtown Traverse City. While we looked at other locations, we intentionally selected this convenient, downtown location that has been vacant far too long. We are proud and excited to be part of its redevelopment," says Parker.
Smith Haughey will enjoy an additional 3,100 square feet in its new space at 101 N. Park. The five-story brick building is being designed for energy efficiency by the LEED-accredited Nudell Architects and Michael Fitzhugh, Architect, PLC design team. Additionally, working with developer Thom Darga will allow the firm to design the new space to better facilitate client meetings and meet the need for increased efficiency and collaboration in the practice of law.
Clients who visit the new Smith Haughey location will meet with their attorney in the "conference center" on the first floor that includes nine conference rooms (more than at the previous location) located immediately adjacent to the reception area to maximize confidentiality. Also, clients will have easily accessible and complimentary parking in the parking-deck located across the street.
The new office will be designed with Smith Haughey's core principles of collegiality and teamwork in mind. For instance, 90% of the attorneys and staff will be located together on one floor-making collaboration easier and more efficient. And while one might expect that the second floor, corner space that includes a view of downtown to be bestowed upon a few lucky shareholders, the firm instead opted to create a casual meeting space for all to encourage a collaborative atmosphere.
"We've valued Smith Haughey as a premier tenant for the past 12 years," said City Centre Plaza landlord Tom McIntyre. "We wish them well and know they will continue to be a wonderful part of Traverse City." McIntyre also stated that there are several parties that have expressed interest in the current Smith Haughey space.