When Flint Ink moved to Plymouth Township several years ago, as it transitioned into new corporate ownership, it left its former headquarters behind in Ann Arbor Township.

The showcase building went onto the market just as the economy started its tailspin.

The property, visible from Dixboro Road, is a 150,000 square feet building on 27 acres. The building had been highly customized over the years, with high-level offices, high-tech lab space and room to expand.

It was listed for $12 million, creating many rumors in real estate circles over the years about potential sales, but no deal emerged. And many in Ann Arbor wondered how long it could take to sell that kind of property, given the lack of potential corporate headquarters coming into Ann Arbor.

That changed this spring, when a new division of the $5.4 billion Masco Corp. chose the property for a new division headquarters. With the $3 million sale, according to township records, the building was restored to an active and significant use for Ann Arbor area, earning it a Deal of the Year award for commercial real estate.

Now the nation’s leading cabinet brands - including Merillat and KraftMaid, - will be based in the Ann Arbor region. Masco Cabinetry, after months of customizing the building and the property, is moving existing employees from Ohio and Adrian.

Masco Cabinetry also plans new hires, with the goal of having 450 people working there within five years.

Ann Arbor business leaders welcomed the news that the area could soon be home to a new headquarters. The number of employees, the expected pay scale and the R&D functions all are cited as positive aspects.

EMU President Susan Martin (right) presents the Commercial Real Estate award to Macso Cabinetry’s Mark Perry (left) and Lawrence Leaman.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

"The economic impact will create an upward spiral of positive influence from a company like that," said Diane Keller, president of the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce, after the March announcement.

By early summer, the company prepared to move in. Part of the preparations: Adding parking spaces by reconfiguring the existing parking lot to make room for 177 extra vehicles.

The move-in started in October.

“Certainly by the end of the year everyone would be moved in,” said Mark Perry, Masco’s director of real estate services. “Then we can ramp up for the new hires.”

The move to the Ann Arbor area has been met with a lot of support, Perry added. Corporate officials have been meeting with officials and neighbors to build a relationship.

By the time the company is fully moved into the building, Perry said, “I think everyone will be very proud to have the business as a new member of the Ann Arbor business family.”