Piano Factory Renovation Plans Stay in Tune

GRAND HAVEN, MI-Plans to transform a former piano factory into an apartment and office complex on Elliott Street are still in tune.

David and Brian Zeemering of Grand Rapids, owners of First & Ten LLC, want to transform the 81-year-old Laughead Piano Factory building into an apartment complex that will include retail or office space. They told the planning commission earlier this year they want to maintain the “historic elements” of the building’s exterior by using similar brick and concrete, while retaining the numerous windows.

As proposed, the building will have 10-12 two-bedroom apartments, each about 800 sf. The developers have not set rents for the apartments.

In the center of the building, crews will construct a 2,378-sf extension for at least one office or retail operation. Meanwhile, a 2,000-sf section of the building’s north side will be demolished to make room for more parking.

The Laughead Piano Factory moved into the building in the late 1950s. Prior to that, it was home to the Peerless Glove Co., where heavy-duty work gloves were made. Most recently, the building was used as a dance studio.