Telecommunications company
GTS Direct has moved from St. Clair Shores to Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. The company bought the former Archdiocese of Detroit print shop at 1501 Sixth Street. Friday Jan. 10 was their first day of business in the city.
The move is an expansion for the company as it goes from a 1,500 to 10,000 square foot facility. CEO Mark Stackpoole identifies a number of factors that went into the re-location, from distinct competitive advantages to a desire to be a part of the new downtown business community.
The company started its re-location search in the downtown rental market. Stymied after encountering what he calls a rigidly-priced rental scene, Mark turned his attention from renting to buying.
"For what we saw in rental prices at 3,000 square feet, we could purchase this building with minor repairs and come out at an advantage from a budget standpoint," Stackpoole says. GTS Direct bought the building at Sixth and Labrosse from the Archdiocese of Detroit for $210,000.
Stackpoole is looking to quickly become a part of Corktown and invites neighbors to stop by and see what's happening inside. The company is already philanthropically involved with a number of organizations -- including
YouthVille Detroit,
City Year, and
Racquet Up Detroit -- and is hoping to do more within the neighborhood.
One reason for neighbors to stop by 1501 Sixth Street is the still-in-progress interior décor. Stackpoole enlisted the help of Derek Weaver, Managing Director of
4731 Gallery in Woodbridge, to organize a graffiti competition. Eleven artists from around Detroit, including Sintex, FEL3000ft, and TEAD, came in and painted murals in the GTS Direct offices.
Source: Mark Stackpoole, CEO of GTS Direct
Writer: MJ Galbraith
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