Once headed for demolition, historical Southern Flats ready to rent

Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter
·3 min read

COLDWATER — Once set for demolition, Southern Michigan Bank and Trust announced the former Gillespie Funeral Home renovations are complete as Southern Flats, a seven-unit apartment house.

“We are proud to unveil this beautifully renovated building to the public,” said John Castle, chairman and CEO of SMBT. “In addition to contributing toward much-needed affordable housing in the area, we were also able to preserve a historic landmark.”

Southern Flats is ready for tenants at 27 Marshall St.
Southern Flats is ready for tenants at 27 Marshall St.

The bank scheduled an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at 27 Marshall St. Opening remarks at 4 p.m. will follow with a public tour.

In 2016, Castle told the Coldwater Historic District Commission the bank bought the property at auction for $70,000 after no one paid the $225,000 asking price for over a year.

Castle said the bank bought it to turn it into green space. There were plans to create a pavilion for a permanent farmers market and close off two driveways.

The HDC rejected the plan and refused a demolition permit. Historian and city councilman Randall Hazelbaker pointed out the original building was constructed as Michigan’s first purpose-built funeral home in 1920.

Designed by Robert C. Spencer Jr., a colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright, he was a prominent figure in the Prairie School design movement.

The structure is believed to be one of only two remaining buildings in Michigan designed by Spencer.

The bank shifted plans and worked to save the building.

Prior story Southern Michigan Bank announces plans to turn former funeral home into housing

The cost of renovating the historical building was immense. The project became economically viable in May last year when the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a performance-based $750,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant for construction.

Southern Michigan anticipated total capital investment of more than $1.8 million. The Downtown Development Authority approved a $10,000 façade grant, and the city granted a 12-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act tax abatement with an estimated value of $149,195.

City commissioner Randall Hazelbaker pushed to save the former Gillespie Funeral home for its historic architechture.
City commissioner Randall Hazelbaker pushed to save the former Gillespie Funeral home for its historic architechture.

Hazelbaker said, “It would have just been awful to lose that building. There was no reason. And now that it’s restored, it’s going to last many, many hundreds of years.”

Highlights of the newly renovated building include:

• Modern interior design while preserving many original features, including crown molding, stained glass doors, built-in cabinets, and more.

• Outside gas grill and firepit common area.

• Private parking lot.

• Convenient location in downtown Coldwater, next to numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

Castle said, “There were many Southern Michigan employees and partners who were involved along the way, and their combined efforts brought this project to fruition, creating something we can be proud of for years to come.”

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For more information or to inquire about leasing opportunities, contact Luke Bovee at (517) 279-5500 ext: 5580 or via email at lbovee@smb-t.com.

Additional details can be found at www.smb-t.com/SouthernFlats

---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Southern Flats opens as apartments