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Huntington Bank will replace Bank of America as the anchor tenant in the Trust Building, 40 Pearl Street NW.

(File photo | Mlive Media Group)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Huntington Bank announced it will move its regional headquarters from 50 Monroe Ave. NW to the Michigan Trust Building at the southeast corner of Pearl Street and Ottawa Avenue NW in the second half of 2015.

The move into space formerly occupied by the Sundance Grille restaurant on Pearl Street NW, will replace Bank of America as the marquee tenant for the 123-year-old red sandstone office building, the city’s first skyscraper and at one time, the tallest building in the state.

“Huntington’s ongoing investment in downtown Grand Rapids reflects our commitment to the city,” said John Irwin, Huntington’s West Michigan region president in a news release issued Monday, Nov. 3.

“We are looking forward to making the Michigan Trust Building our new home," Irwin said. "We are confident that as the building’s new anchor, we will help assert its reputation as one of the finest business addresses downtown and honor its status as a landmark workplace for more than 120 years.”

Huntington, which is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has been beefing up its presence in Michigan. The company has opened 41 branches in Meijer stores throughout the state in the past two years and recently announced the acquisition of 24 Bank of America branches in Holland, Muskegon, Flint, Monroe and the Saginaw area.

Bank of America, which has occupied the Trust Building space facing Ottawa Avenue since inheriting it as the corporate successor of the former Michigan National Bank, has not announced where it will move.

Completed in 1891 and designed by Solon S. Beman, the architect of many Chicago landmark buildings, the Michigan Trust Building has been a venerable downtown landmark. President Theodore Roosevelt once addressed the city from the building and it was the home of Gerald Ford’s first law office. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Huntington is an important partner that understands how ongoing revitalization downtown is building critical momentum for the street-by-street revitalization of Grand Rapids’ core,” said CWD Real Estate Investment Managing Partner Sam Cummings.

Cummings, whose company also owns the 50 Monroe building, said they hope the redevelopment of the Trust Building will create more storefronts along the Ottawa Avenue corridor currently occupied by Bank of America.

“CWD is very pleased to continue working with Huntington as the company and its people collaborate with us to create a working environment for the future that contributes to downtown’s growth and our city’s recognition as the place in our region to work, live and play,” Cummings said.

“I applaud Huntington and CWD Real Estate for working together on this creative investment in downtown,” said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell in Huntington’s news release.

“Huntington’s relocation enhances its downtown employment base and opens up opportunities for the repurposing of 50 Monroe. It is outstanding to have a local workforce so committed to downtown. I am sure Huntington’s commitment to the Michigan Trust Building will have residents thinking of it as Huntington’s home as soon as the move is complete.”

Jim Harger covers business for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.