Read more about the decision of Providence Hospital to move about 100 professionals to the Southfield Centre Building in both Crain’s Detroit Business and the South Oakland Eccentric.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 21, 2013 — The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Metropolitan Detroit has awarded Farbman Group/NAI Farbman’s Southfield Centre the title of 2012–2013 “The Office Building of the Year” (TOBY) in the categories of 100,000-249,999 Square Feet property and Suburban Office Park Low-Rise respectively.

The TOBY Awards is the most prestigious and comprehensive program of its kind in the commercial real estate industry, recognizing quality in office buildings and awarding excellence in office building management. Buildings were recognized in various categories, including Industrial Office Buildings, Historical Building, Over 1 Million Square Feet, Medical Office Building and property Under 100,000 Square Feet.

“Farbman Group strives for excellence in all facets of real estate services and our team strives to transform forward thinking ideas into cutting edge applications, to achieve maximum results for our clients, company and communities,” said Andy Farbman, CEO, Farbman Group/NAI Farbman. “We are very proud to receive this recognition from BOMA for these two outstanding properties. It validates the success of our teams.”

Southfield Centre, also known as the “IBM Building,” is located on 9 Mile Road in Southfield. This 14-story building includes commercial office space and a restaurant. The building’s award winning design has been recognized for its energy efficiency, featuring north and east facades that absorb heat and south and west walls that reflect heat. The building features a full service cafeteria and 24 hour security.

To be considered for a TOBY, all facets of a building’s operations are thoroughly evaluated during a rigorous judging process, including tenant relations programs, community involvement, emergency preparedness, and security standards and continuing education for building personnel. Floor plans, site plans, and photographs round out the portfolio, providing an extensive examination of the building by the judges.

Winners of the BOMA Detroit TOBY awards will move on to a regional competition, then to a BOMA International competition at the BOMA International Annual Convention.

The former Ramada Inn’s demolition was covered in early September by Fox 2. Various people who lived and/or worked in Southfield shared their stories and memories of the former hotel.

The video by Fox 2 also includes a great look at the demo itself. Hear more about Executive Director Al Aceves’ comments on the property as well.

In late September, Oakland Community College agreed to purchase the 5.4 acres on which the Ramada Inn was located from the City of Southfield. As part of the purchase OCC agreed to cover the costs incurred in acquiring the property from the county for back taxes and costs in getting the dilapidated structure demolished. OCC paid the $2.2 million needed to for the project, which freed the City of Southfield and the Southfield DDA from those costs.

More information about this purchase was covered in an article that ran in the South Oakland Eccentric on September 29.

As you know, the Southfield DDA and its board is continuing to research the best options for how to develop existing properties within the District. We thank OCC for its continued commitment to the Southfield DDA and the community in general.