Signage near the top of Kalamazoo's oldest skyscraper will soon be obscured as a taller structure continues to rise downtown. The eight-story building, originally called the Kalamazoo Bank Building, was completed in 1907. It has long stood in prominence among the other buildings in downtown Kalamazoo with its black and yellow sign bearing the name "The Kalamazoo Building" greeting those coming into downtown from the west. The landmark signage was painted at the top of the building sometime in the 1940s.

The Kalamazoo Building (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
The Kalamazoo Building (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
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Construction on the new fifteen story Kalamazoo Exchange Building began in May of 2017 at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Rose Street. The area was previously used for public parking for several decades.

Kalamazoo Exchange Building construction (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
Kalamazoo Exchange Building construction - May 5, 2018 (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
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The Kalamazoo Exchange Building will cover 340,000-square-feet and include retail, office and residential living space. Indoor parking with nearly 300 parking spaces will also be available. The project is expected to be completed by June of 2019.

Kalamazoo Exchange Building construction (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
Kalamazoo Exchange Building construction - May 5, 2018 (Brandon James - Townsquare Media)
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When completed, the structure will be tied with the Fifth Third Bank Building as the second tallest skyscraper in Kalamazoo by floors at fifteen stories, behind the Skyrise Luxury Apartment building which is 23 stories tall. By height, it will be the third tallest building in downtown Kalamazoo at 182 feet, behind the Fifth Third Bank building at 190 feet and the Skyrise Luxury Apartment building at 230 feet.

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