Imagine a once-vibrant art space, silenced and empty for five long years. That's the story of the former UICA building in downtown Grand Rapids. But what if I told you it's about to be reborn as a hub for innovation and connection? Bamboo Cowork, a Detroit-based company, is breathing new life into this iconic structure, and it's poised to shake up the Grand Rapids entrepreneurial scene.
This Thursday marks the grand reopening of the renovated space at 2 Fulton St., near Division Avenue, as Bamboo Cowork. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the public is invited to an open house to explore the transformation. According to Bamboo CEO Amanda Lewan, attendees can expect a fully immersive experience. "You'll get to explore the newly renovated art gallery space," she says, "We'll have the theater reopen, showcasing some documentaries on entrepreneurs. We'll have tastings, we'll have some creative activations and local vendors from Grand Rapids. You’ll get to meet this mix of the tech and creative ecosystem here."
But here's where it gets controversial... The journey to this reopening wasn't a smooth one. Built in 2010 specifically as an art gallery for the UICA, the building faced a challenging fate. The UICA, after a period of struggle, ultimately closed its doors in 2023, leaving behind a void in the city's cultural landscape. Ferris State University put the 40,000-square-foot building on the market, where it lingered for five years before Bamboo stepped in with a $4.5 million offer.
“This building was very challenging,” Lewan admits. “It’s an art gallery space, so it’s designed for very distinct, purposeful use. Our architect likes to remind us that it was designed for wall space, not floor space. So we had to connect different floor plates that were disconnected, fill in a little bit of space, so we could have more efficient use for commercial use.” The core challenge was adapting a space designed for displaying art into a functional and collaborative workspace. Think about it: art galleries prioritize open walls and visual flow, while coworking spaces need offices, meeting rooms, and areas for focused work. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole!
And this is the part most people miss... Despite the architectural hurdles, the team managed to honor the building's artistic heritage while creating a modern coworking environment. Office spaces, comfortable lounge areas, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms now fill the building, all while preserving the original architectural character. The gallery and theater spaces are also set to return to their former glory, hosting community events that will bring people together.
Adding another layer of excitement, Start Garden, a prominent player in the Grand Rapids startup scene, is making the renovated UICA building its new home. With offices and an event space within the building, Start Garden will continue to host pitch competitions and other entrepreneurial gatherings, further solidifying the location as a hub for innovation.
Bamboo Cowork caters to the growing demographic of startups, freelancers, and remote workers who need a flexible and collaborative workspace. But it's more than just a place to work; it's about building a community. Bamboo aims to transform the Grand Rapids location into a thriving entrepreneurial center, offering community programming and even office hours with investors. Members also gain access to Bamboo's network of four other locations in Ann Arbor, downtown Detroit, midtown Detroit, and Royal Oak, expanding their reach and connections across the state.
“You get access to that network of people, so if you’re a tech company that’s growing really fast, you can tap into students at U of M who want to come work at your startup, or customers in the east side of the state,” Lewan explains. “It’s a very vibrant, connected community across the whole state. … It seems like the Grand Rapids community wants to be connected to the east side and the east side wants to learn more about Grand Rapids and support and be one collaborative business community.” This interconnectedness is a key differentiator for Bamboo, providing its members with valuable resources and opportunities beyond the local Grand Rapids market.
Lewan extends a warm invitation to the community to experience the revitalized space during the open house this Thursday. "We’re looking forward to welcoming the community in December and really ramping up our community events next year,” she says.
What do you think? Can a coworking space truly revitalize a building with a rich artistic history? Will Bamboo Cowork become the entrepreneurial hub that Grand Rapids needs? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
