*The Kalamazoo Event Center reached a major construction milestone on April 27 with its official topping out ceremony, as project partners and ironworkers gathered to celebrate the placement of the final 33-foot steel beam.*
The beam completes the building's structural framework and marks a visible turning point as the venue takes shape in downtown Kalamazoo. Topping out is a construction tradition dating back more than 1,000 years that symbolizes both the peak of the build and a moment to recognize skilled workers bringing the project to life.
William D. Johnston, Chairman of Greenleaf Companies, called the ceremony important to all involved, saying it is a celebration of the ironworkers and the great work they have done.
Slated to open in Fall 2027, the Kalamazoo Event Center will serve as a year-round destination for sports, entertainment, and community events. The facility is expected to host more than 230 events annually, attract over 700,000 visitors, and generate an estimated $50 million in annual economic impact for the region.
Zac Sliger, Ironworker Superintendent at Barton Malow, noted that while his team steps on hundreds of projects throughout their careers, they always look back on a select few, and believe this will be one of those projects.
The venue will be the future home of the Kalamazoo Wings Professional Hockey Team and Western Michigan University's men's and women's basketball and men's hockey programs, while also bringing concerts, touring shows, and major events to downtown Kalamazoo.
The milestone reflects more than construction progress, representing continued investment in the future of downtown and reinforcing Kalamazoo's position as a regional hub for entertainment and community connection.
With the structural framework now complete, construction will move into interior buildout and exterior finishing in the months ahead.
The Kalamazoo Event Center is operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, a locally owned company that has welcomed more than 33 million guests over 25 years and grown to include 12 unique brands including the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Burdick's, Brick + Brine, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo Country Club, and the upcoming Kalamazoo Event Center.
With a team of over 850, Greenleaf Hospitality Group continues to foster community connections through innovative guest-obsessed hospitality in Kalamazoo, Michigan.