Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance

Frankenmuth Insurance undertook a significant expansion of their corporate headquarters on an eleven acre site. This transformation needed to accomplish several goals. The site had to immediately accommodate 400 cars. The grounds and plantings were to be distinctive in character and be compatible as wildlife habitat to the greatest extent possible. Entries into the building for both employees and visitors had to be clearly legible and fully accessible. The headquarters and grounds were to be an asset to the company and to the surrounding community.

In response to these objectives, we prepared a master plan, followed by detailed site and garden design plans. Key plan components include a courtyard garden and a prairie meadow created out of spoils materials from building excavations which also serves as a storm water retention area. These gardens and grounds quickly became popular for social events, school outings, university research opportunities, national horticultural trials, and tourists The chamber of commerce has estimated that the gardens and grounds are visited annually by 300,000 or more people.

Work for the company was ongoing for 17 years and included their Mutual-On-Main offices, a new fitness facility, an expansion of the main headquarters, the Dehmel Road Botanical Garden, and periodic maintenance and management reviews. The original project was recognized with a NCASLA Award of Excellence. All three major projects have received the highest level of the “Keep Michigan Beautiful” award. These successes far exceeded the client’s expectations by creating a beautiful, positive asset for the company, the community, and the city’s many visitors.