Downtown Huntsville continues to evolve and today there is a new addition to the skyline.

Or, rather, in the words of Mayor Tommy Battle, Huntsville’s “living room.”

Bank Independent and Prince Holdings broke ground Thursday for a five-story office building – 225 Holmes Avenue.

The 77,000 square-foot building will include office space and ground-floor retail opportunity. At the corner of Greene Street and Holmes Avenue and across from the new city parking deck, 225 Holmes Avenue is the first speculative office construction in downtown proper in 15 years.

The mayor and Bank Independent Area President Tim Singleton cited a partnership and the city’s investment in enhancing downtown.

“The city has done a tremendous job in making the investments necessary,” Singleton said.

“This is a partnership … part of our commitment” to downtown, Battle said. “Downtown Huntsville is the living room of our community. We have to have an attractive living room.”

Bank Independent’s Madison County headquarters will anchor the building with a sales office on the ground floor and commercial offices on the fifth floor of the building. Additional retail and office space is available for lease and can be customized to meet specific needs.

“Bank Independent is invested in the future of downtown Huntsville and Madison County,” said Macke Mauldin, president and CEO of BancIndependent Inc. “We have been part of the downtown Huntsville community since 2014, and we are excited to demonstrate our commitment to this market with the development of 225 Holmes Avenue.”

“It’s been great to watch downtown Huntsville develop into a lively and distinct community,” said Brendan Prince, manager of Prince Holdings. “It has balanced authenticity with economic growth. Prince Holdings is excited to contribute to such a dynamic area,”

Nola VanPeursem Architects is the architectural firm, Robins & Morton is the lead contractor, and Colliers International | Alabama is the leasing agent.