Restoration Of Historic Building Completed

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Work to renovate a historic building in downtown Lawton is finished, and the new owners plan to rent the place out for events. Rene Rodriguez is a representative for Jessica and Jeff Michael, who bought Red Brick Hall on Main Street and fixed it up. Rodriguez tells WSJM News the building was constructed in 1880 and played a role in local affairs.

“We understand that it was a town hall at one point, and there was even some talk about it possibly being the first courthouse in Van Buren County,” Rodriguez said. “That’s kind of questionable, but it’s been around since 1880, so it’s had quite a bit of history.”

The Michaels, who also own the Copper Grille in Paw Paw, put about $100,000 into renovating Red Brick Hall. They removed some old materials and a catwalk, and increased the available natural light.

“It has beautiful, almost ten-foot windows throughout this space, and everything was sort of boarded up and covered.”

Rodriguez says the Michaels wanted to find a new use for a historic structure that had sat vacant for a few years. You can learn about the building at its Facebook page.