Northpointe Bank Operations Center

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

NORTHPOINTE BANK OPERATIONS CENTER

Ghafari Associates, LLC

ARCHITECTS
Ghafari Associates, LLC

ARCHITECTS
Adam Nelson, Matthew Christie, Meghan Frederick

MANUFACTURERS
Kalwall®, Sherwin-Williams, Wolf Gordon, Milliken, Murals Wallpaper, Rebel Walls

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Gregory Enos

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Scott Bernth

LIGHTING DESIGN
Miory Kightlinger

DESIGN
Michael Lubbers

INTERIOR DESIGN
Deanna Klopcic

CONTRACTORS
Visser Brothers Inc.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Jeff Mitchell

PHOTOGRAPHS
James John Jetel

AREA
91000 ft²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Grand Rapids, United States

CATEGORY
Bank

Northpointe Bank’s continued growth in its residential lending offerings drove the demand for a new space.

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

Northpointe engaged Ghafari to transform the former Cascade Commons, aging, nearly vacant 91,000 SF building into an innovative national operations hub for their residential lending and servicing groups.

Prior to putting pen to paper, we developed a roadmap to deeper understand Northpointe’s key business drivers, which would directly affect the functionality of the workplace.

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

This roadmap offered a holistic understanding of Northpointe’s real estate, people, and technology.

From there, we designed an immersive interior and exterior experience, balancing diverse workstyles and high-tech meeting space, with engaging social spaces that anticipate the needs of a growing company.

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

Vast amounts of natural light and design choices that mimic Michigan nature played a key role in the design’s success.

Ghafari drew upon the renovation of a massive interior skylight that spans the entire depth of the building – a key feature that is a major element of the building’s past, now a renewed driver and symbol of Northpointe’s future.

In addition to early strategic thinking, a key success story of the project was the early introduction of the General Contractor, Visser Brothers Inc.

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

Visser was also the contractor for the original Cascade Commons facility, offering a wealth of history and understanding of the original design and construction methods.

The Northpointe Operations Center is a flexible and creative transformation of a neglected building.

As a dynamic and forward-thinking workplace, this facility elevates Northpointe’s mission to be the best bank in America by bringing value and innovation to the people and communities.

Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel

They serve while delivering real value through a collaborative, high-performance and diverse company culture.Now complete, it boasts human-focused qualities while simultaneously raising the bar and forging a path for authentic workplace offerings in West Michigan.


Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel


Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
© James John Jetel


Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Floor Plan
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Floor Plan


Northpointe Bank Operations Center
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Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Diagram
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Diagram
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Diagram
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Diagram
Northpointe Bank Operations Center


Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Axonometric
Northpointe Bank Operations Center
Axonometric