George W. Romney Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George W. Romney Building |
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The building in September 2015
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| General information | |
| Type | Government Office |
| Location | 111 South Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°44′00″N 84°33′13″W / 42.73325°N 84.55363°W |
| Construction started | 1925 |
| Completed | 1926 |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 50.3 m (165 ft) |
| Roof | 48.2 m (158 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 13 above ground & 1 underground |
| Floor area | 30,658 m2 (330,000 sq ft) |
The George W. Romney Building is a very important building in Lansing, Michigan. It's where the Governor of Michigan has their main office! Many other offices for the State of Michigan are also located here. The building is named after George W. Romney, who was the 43rd Governor of Michigan. He was also the father of Mitt Romney. Inside, the building has a cool ten-story open space called an atrium, which starts on the fourth floor.
Contents
History of the Romney Building
The building first opened in 1926, but it wasn't a government office then. It was a fancy hotel called the Hotel Olds. It was built by a group that included Ransom E. Olds, who was famous for cars!
Changes in Hotel Ownership
In 1960, a hotel chain called Jack Tar Hotels bought the building. They changed its name to "Jack Tar Lansing." Later, in 1970, it was sold again and became the "Olds Plaza."
The hotel changed hands a few more times. In 1974, it was renamed the "Plaza Hotel." Some parts of the hotel were turned into offices. By 1983, it became part of the TravelLodge chain. At its busiest, the hotel had 400 rooms, but by 1983, it only had 100.
Becoming a State Office Building
The hotel ran into financial trouble and closed in 1985. In 1988, the State of Michigan bought the building. It was completely renovated and given a new purpose.
The building was renamed the George W. Romney Building. It now houses the Office of the Governor and other state offices. The renovation was a big project, turning the old hotel into a modern office space. It even won an award in 1992 for its excellent design and construction.
Current Building Projects
There are always projects to keep the Romney Building in great shape. Right now, there are plans to fix up the brick plaza outside. New entry doors and vestibules (small entry rooms) are also being added. The second-floor deck is also being replaced.
