Billboard Company Makes Historic Move to Downtown

A billboard advertising company will be the first tenant in the massive Factory Yards development.

Outfront Media, a national out-of-home advertising company, is breaking ground this month on a new 22,200-square-foot office at 565 Godfrey Avenue, marking its first relocation in roughly 60 years in the Michigan city where it has been present since 1885.

The new facility will be located within Factory Yards, a 15-acre mixed-use redevelopment project on Grand Rapids' southwest side that will include residential units, retail space, restaurants, and community gathering areas. The project is being developed with Heritage Development Partners and received transformational brownfield incentives as the first in the city to do so.

Brad Eldridge, Vice President for Grand Rapids at Outfront Media, said the company's current space south of downtown could no longer support its growing team in one location. "Our company and its predecessors have been intertwined with Grand Rapids, its community and businesses, for more than a century," Eldridge said. "When we realized our current space could no longer support our growing team in one place, we knew our next location needed to be downtown."

The new office will consolidate Outfront's front office and operational teams into a single location closer to the city's downtown business district and growing development corridor. Outfront has operated from its current location since the 1960s through predecessor companies that have been part of Grand Rapids since 1885.

Factory Yards Development Brings $147 Million Investment

The Factory Yards redevelopment represents a $147 million investment that is repurposing a vacant industrial site on Grand Rapids' southwest side. The project was the first in the city to receive transformational brownfield incentives, which help clean up and redevelop contaminated industrial properties.

The development will create a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with:

• Residential units
• Retail and dining establishments
• Community gathering spaces
• Commercial office space

The project is being positioned as part of Grand Rapids' downtown expansion corridor, bringing major tenants like Outfront Media to an area that has seen significant growth and development in recent years.

Historical Significance

Outfront Media's move to the Factory Yards represents a historic moment for Grand Rapids, as the company makes its first move in roughly 60 years within the city. The company's predecessor has been part of Grand Rapids' advertising and media landscape since 1885, making it one of the longest-standing advertising companies in the city's history.

The relocation to downtown also reflects broader trends in Grand Rapids, where major businesses and developers are investing in the city's downtown corridor and southwest side neighborhoods. The Factory Yards development sits near the Acrisure Amphitheater and Professional Stadium developments, contributing to a growing cluster of entertainment and commercial spaces in that area.

What's Next

Construction is set to begin on the Outfront Media office this month, with the company expected to move into the new facility once it's complete. The Factory Yards development will continue to expand with additional residential and commercial units being added to the 15-acre site.

The project is part of a broader revitalization effort in Grand Rapids, where the city has seen significant population growth and increased investment in downtown and near-downtown neighborhoods. The Factory Yards development, with its major corporate tenant like Outfront Media, serves as an anchor for continued growth in the area.