Southgate, MI – July, 2023 – Dawda Mann, a leading law firm specializing in real estate and land use law located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, announces the rebranding and redevelopment of the Southgate Tower into The Bank Tower Apartments. Dawda Mann attorneys represented Alexander Begin and Southgate Tower, LLC on all aspects of this intricate project providing an investment into the Southgate community. This exciting project, in collaboration with Beztak Property Management, will transform the iconic building into a stunning multifamily apartment community.
Originally built as the headquarters of Security Bank and Trust, the Southgate Tower on Trenton Road will undergo a remarkable transformation, preserving its rich history while offering exceptional living spaces for residents. Southgate Tower, LLC, owned by members of the Begin family, acquired the building in 2021, with Beztak Property Management taking on the management responsibilities.
The Bank Tower Apartments will comprise 215 exquisite rental units, featuring a range of floor plans from studios to two-story penthouses. The development team recognizes the building’s unique features and has ambitious plans to repurpose original spaces creatively. For instance, the truck-well will be converted into a parking garage, the safety deposit box vault will be restored and transformed into a social area, and the drive-through teller building will be repurposed as an electric vehicle charging station. Additionally, one of the drive-through pneumatic tubes will serve as a distinctive method for residents to pay rent.
Alexander Begin, a seasoned developer who successfully converted the Madison Office Center into The Tremont Apartments in Madison Heights in 2016, expressed his enthusiasm for the project.
“Dawda Mann has been an essential partner in every aspect of this project. Being able to restore this building as well as create a new park and greenspace for the community was important to us, and Dawda Mann’s expertise guided us both in the acquisition of the real estate and development of the building and its surrounding acreage.
In collaboration with Wayne County and the City of Southgate, Alexander Begin is also spearheading the creation of a new park surrounding The Bank Tower. Wayne County will finance the construction of the park and a pedestrian bridge over Trenton Road, linking Kiwanis Park to the property. The new park will feature recreational amenities such as pickleball courts, exercise stations, and putting greens, all open for public use. This addition will complement nearby Kiwanis Park and its miniature railroad. Begin stated: “We’re immensely grateful for the cooperation and assistance that Wayne County and the City of Southgate have provided to make this project possible.”
“It’s quite exciting that Southgate will have this iconic building restored and also be able to create funding for a park that will join the city park and enhance the value of Southgate. The interesting thing about this project is that the future possibilities are endless,” said Richard Schloss, Member at Dawda Mann and lead attorney on the project. “Our team worked closely with Alexander Begin, the city of Southgate and Wayne County to make the Bank Tower and park project a reality.”
City of Southgate Mayor Joseph G. Kuspa expressed his excitement about the redevelopment, stating, “The redevelopment of this iconic Downriver structure is both historic and transformational. It represents the single largest investment project in the 65-year history of our City. We are both enthusiastic and appreciative of all those who are a part of this amazing development.”
Construction management for The Bank Tower Apartments will be overseen by the Alan Group, with Studio g+G Architecture and Constantine George Pappas Architecture serving as the lead architects. The project is expected to be completed and open to the public in early to mid-2025.
For further information about The Bank Tower Apartments and this exciting redevelopment project, please visit www.thebanktowerapts.com.
About Dawda Mann:
Dawda Mann is a full-service business law firm headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional legal services and a client-centric approach, the firm has built a solid reputation as a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals across various industries. Dawda Mann’s team of highly skilled attorneys provides comprehensive legal solutions in real estate, corporate law, litigation, employment law, estate planning, and more. For more information, visit dawdamann.com.
