Today we’d like to introduce you to Ambrea Mikolajczyk. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Ambrea Mikolajczyk and her husband Kevin have been investing in and renovating forgotten-about structures throughout the Toledo, OH area for 15 years. The Duo purchased a house and a duplex at auction in 2006, both fixer-uppers in which they managed the complete development of the properties. It was after the completion of these they soon discovered their passion for revitalizing structures in primary communities of color that traditionally lack investment. In 2017, Ambrea took a leap of faith and resigned from her Pharmaceutical Sales Manager role to launch ARK Restoration & Construction, the company is dedicated to restoring old architecture throughout OH. To date, the pair has renovated and re-developed numerous single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family dwellings. Since ARK’s inception, the company has worked tirelessly to strengthen neighborhoods by placing quality dwelling units in the market, beautifying communities, eliminating blight, and improving property values.
Their most recent project an 80,000-square-foot former Wonder Bread Factory was awarded both state and federal historic tax credits, only the 10th building to receive the honor in the City of Toledo. The historic building was converted into 33 loft apartments and one commercial space into which they moved ARK headquarters. The total budget for the adaptive reuse project was $7,500,000 and construction concluded in December 2021.
As a fully integrated real estate firm, Kevin and Ambrea employ 20 skilled professionals across their companies, Torrey Hill Apartments, ARK Development, ARK Restoration & Construction, and ARK Real Estate Services.
Together with their team they own, develop, construct and manage a portfolio consisting of nearly 250 units. The property holdings are a 50/50 split of market rate and affordable units. The company is a Certified Minority Owned and Woman Owned Businesses through the state of Ohio and the City of Toledo. Using skill sets acquired throughout the years, ARK assists their many clients with the renovation and restoration of their homes, offices, and commercial and residential buildings.
The company’s mission is to restore communities, deliver innovative ideas, and build toward the future. The next project is a 60,000 sq ft former Masonic Temple which they have plans to build senior-affordable housing. The pair live in Downtown Toledo in a former tobacco factory with their 4 children.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Restoration work is incredibly challenging. You never know what new unforeseen problem will jump out and make your project difficult. It is very different from new construction where you are starting from scratch building from the ground up. Not trying to build a new purpose for an existing 100-plus-year-old building that has many skeletons hiding in the walls or beneath the floor that you may not have anticipated.
However, it is definitely the most rewarding work I have ever done. I get to build my community for the better, I can see the results of my work and I know it has lasting positive benefits. The buildings or homes that we are fortunate to save will stand for another 100-plus years and for that I am grateful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ARK Restoration & Construction?
We specialize in the restoration of historic homes and buildings concentrating on construction management services, general contracting, masonry, painting, and carpentry.
Our competitive advantage is we deliver quality services and we take a customized approach to our client’s needs, we understand what they are going through because we are owners too. It takes a specialized, all hands on deck and being willing to go above and beyond in order to restore architecture. We also have a great team of professionals internally and as a part of our development team that has a wealth of knowledge as it related to adaptive-reuse projects.
I am most proud that our brand is recognized, I feel the love from our entire city and region everywhere we go.
People know who we are and the work that we do, they are very complimentary and it makes the hard work worth it.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
We are very blessed to have great organizations that believe in us and offer support. My architect and fellow woman business owner, Julie Apt at Thomas Porter Architects. The city of Toledo government helps us in many ways, whether it is planning, zoning, or support letters they have been a huge supporter of ARK. We have fantastic sub-contractor relationships, we would not be successful if it was not for their partnership and agreeance to take on our projects. I have a great accountant team at Gilmore, Jaison, Mahler, and Bob Bobek who meets with us once a month to discuss our business and gives great advice. We have a great historic consultant, Erin Claussen, without her assistance our projects would not come to pass.
Being a first generation Entrepreneur it is hard to know if you are making the right choices, or looking in the right places for opportunities. I take advantage of all local and state business resources from the Small Business Development Center, The State of Ohio Development office, Jumpstart, Minority Business Assistance Center, our lenders Premier Bank, LISC, and Huntington-SBA have been instrumental in providing guidance, mentorship, and capital when we need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: arktoledo.com
- Instagram: @ark_restoration
- Facebook: @arkrestore
