A BRIEF HISTORY
In 1929 two young Detroiters, Leonard Simons and Larry Michelson struck out on their own and started an
advertising agency. Simons-Michelson Co. as the agency was known made their home in downtown Detroit, primarily the Lafayette Building in Mad
Men-esque offices for nearly 50 years.
Second generation owners Mort Zieve and Jim Michelson
pioneered the move out to the shiny mirrored glass buildings of Troy, Michigan in the
fall of 1977. For 10 years the agency was in space at Sheffield Plaza on West Big Beaver next to what was then Kmart’s active world headquarters.
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| 900 Wilshire Building exterior |
In 1988, bursting at the seams, the agency relocated down the road in Troy to
a then-new building at 900 Wilshire Drive.
After 27 years at 900
Wilshire, we took a hard look at the way we do
business. Naturally that extends to how our office space
looks, feels and operates. We decided to move for a number of strategic reasons.
Following a thorough process we found new space
that is welcoming and fosters collaboration with multiple group
work spaces, a great deal of windows and natural light and neat gathering
places.
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| Blueprints for our innovative new space |
We believe our new offices are functional today and - in an ever-changing industry - will remain flexible and
functional into the future.
For those who visit, our offices will fairly reflect an
energetic, creative company. We are doing our best to make this a positive change for agency personnel and clients alike.
PLEASE ENJOY THE PHOTOS OF THE NEW OFFICES. Click each to see in full size.
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| Dramatic exterior shot of the new SMZ offices at 1200 Kirts (we have a sign) |
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| Our reception area and a look into the main conference room (those doors are "riveting") |
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| Here's a wide view of our very colorful open space (awaiting colorful characters) |
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| Our break area - the new SMZ Cafe is quite welcoming |
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| Another view of the colorful open space |
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| We have a garage door to open on nice days! |
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| We will make the (short) wait in the lobby comfortable |
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| The view if you drop your pen and look up |
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| Our new main conference room is round-on-round |
Key partners in this
project were CBRE Real Estate Brokers, Davis & Davis Interior Design,
Ari-El Enterprises Real Estate, Airea Furniture and Ashmark Construction. Thanks to all of them for what is truly a "home run."
