Real Estate/Development
SPONSORED BY ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Kids’ Food Basket expands in Holland
Written by Sydney SmithHOLLAND — Kids’ Food Basket, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that distributes meals for children, is expanding its efforts in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
BATTLE CREEK — New Holland Brewing Co. LLC will begin construction next month on its third brewery and taproom in West Michigan after securing a final funding source from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
GRAND RAPIDS — Wheeler Development Group has proposed transforming a city-owned parking lot into a $55 million 24-story tower in downtown Grand Rapids.
Backed by new real estate fund, Battle Creek drives downtown development activity
Written by Sydney SmithBATTLE CREEK — A grant for real estate projects is bringing needed development and activity to downtown Battle Creek.
GRAND RAPIDS — After getting the first step in the approval process from the city, nonprofit developer Amplify GR still has more steps to take before beginning a large-scale development proposed in the Boston Square neighborhood.
More than a decade ago, Grand Rapids business leaders lobbied hard to block the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, known locally as the Gun Lake Tribe, from opening a casino near Wayland.
Groups like 23 is Enough and MichGO drove the narrative that any casino development south of Grand Rapids would “siphon off” jobs and investment from the city’s then-rebuilding downtown, limiting growth in entertainment options and economic opportunity alike. They cited a study commissioned by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce in the early 2000s that estimated $880 million of “economic hemorrhaging” in the surrounding counties if Gun Lake Casino were ever allowed to move forward.
Looking around downtown Grand Rapids today, it’s hard to find evidence that their worst fears were in any way realized.
GRAND RAPIDS — A Mid-Michigan property management firm has acquired Hopson Flats, a mixed-use property in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood.
COMSTOCK PARK — John Grace Construction LLC has acquired Muskegon-based Port City Construction & Development Services LLC, the companies announced today.
Tribes partner in $17.5 million purchase of iconic McKay Tower in Grand Rapids
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — Tribally owned Gun Lake Investments and Waséyabek Development Co. have jointly acquired McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids, MiBiz has learned.
Partners plan mixed-use project in GR’s Creston neighborhood, but questions remain
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — Partners including the founder of now-bankrupt 616 Lofts LLC have launched a new venture that is proposing a mixed-use housing development in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood.
Developer proposes expanding Class A office building along Grand Rapids riverfront
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — Compass Insurance Agency is proposing a Class A office expansion along the Grand River north of downtown Grand Rapids.
GRAND RAPIDS — Bazzani Building Co. has started construction on a new housing project in the city’s Belknap Lookout neighborhood that will run entirely on renewable energy.
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Planning Commission today approved a conceptual plan for a large-scale mixed-use district in the city’s Boston Square neighborhood.
WYOMING — Real estate appraisal firm Genzink Appraisal Co. has been acquired by Denver, Colo.-based Integra Realty Resources.
Jay Andrew Development awarded $250K grant for downtown Battle Creek project
Written by Sydney SmithBATTLE CREEK — Battle Creek-based Jay Andrew Development Co. has been awarded a $250,000 grant to support its plans to rehabilitate a downtown Battle Creek building.
The various pockets of development in Allegan County make the area difficult to define in broad strokes.
GRAND RAPIDS — The 308 solar panels installed atop St. James Apartments and Townhomes will help reduce electricity costs included in the rents for residents in the project’s 36 affordable housing units.
Amplify GR proposes 9-acre mixed-use redevelopment in Boston Square neighborhood
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — Amplify GR is proposing a large-scale mixed-use district in the city’s Boston Square neighborhood.
NAI’s Wisinski-Rosely projects strong Grand Rapids real estate market ahead for 2020
Written by Sydney SmithFollowing a busy year for real estate transactions across the region, NAI Wisinski of West Michigan Partner Mary Anne Wisinski-Rosely, who specializes in the office market, expects more of the same in 2020. She projects strength across all commercial real estate segments, especially in the area surrounding downtown Grand Rapids.
Dan Vos Construction banks on strong backlog, even as pace of projects eases
Written by Joe BoomgaardAs the frenetic pace of projects begins to become more manageable next year, Dan Vos Construction Co. Inc. President and CEO Dan Vos hopes his company will be able to say yes to clients more often. The full-service construction firm has a strong pipeline heading into 2020, even if it is expected to slow down somewhat compared to the last couple of years.
‘Business as usual’ for Integrated Architecture, as firm also studies housing solutions
Written by Sydney SmithGrand Rapids-based Integrated Architecture LLC is coming off a year with many transformative development projects, including Studio Park and Bridge Street Market. While being as diversified as possible, the firm also will focus on how it can contribute to solutions to the housing crisis in 2020, said Mike Corby, executive vice president at Integrated Architecture. Overall, he feels optimistic, yet cautious, for 2020.
As consumers’ shopping habits change and the retail sector reacts to new technology-driven disruptions, retail industry watchers in West Michigan remain optimistic about the year to come.
GRAND RAPIDS — An affiliate of Grand Rapids-based RDV Corp. is exploring adding a boutique hotel to a 13-story downtown apartment building.
OSHTEMO TWP. — Ascension Borgess plans to build a $20 million new cancer center on one of Western Michigan University’s campuses near Kalamazoo.
Mixed-use development in downtown Muskegon gets $1.5 million in state funding
Written by Sydney SmithMUSKEGON — The state of Michigan is providing funding assistance for a new mixed-use development in downtown Muskegon.
CASCADE TWP. — Cascade Township officials have voted to purchase a facility to use for its consolidated township offices.
HOLLAND — Suburban Inns, an owner and operator of hotels across Michigan, has acquired CityFlats Hotel in Holland from an affiliate of Zeeland-based Charter House Innovations, MiBiz has learned.
Universities turn to public-private partnerships to fund projects, attract students
Written by Sydney SmithWestern Michigan University plans to revamp the entire southern portion of its Kalamazoo campus in the next five years as part of a public-private partnership.
Contractors are capping off another busy year for developments across West Michigan. From the largest mixed-use project in downtown Grand Rapids history, to new modern buildings in historic areas, these are five notable projects from around the region on the radar for MiBiz this year. Here’s a closer look at them.
Construction and development professionals in West Michigan remain optimistic as they look toward 2020, even though the upcoming presidential election and ongoing talent issues are causing headwinds. While some markets might slightly change next year, industry experts who spoke with MiBiz during a recent executive roundtable said they are interested to see how downtown Grand Rapids developments will spark additional new projects. Many also noted that collaboration and partnerships are becoming key to the industry’s success.
Senior housing development has been booming across West Michigan and nationwide as the population ages and more people need help as they get older.
GRAND RAPIDS — A group of developers are positioning their proposed new Leonard Street office building as a gateway to Grand Rapids’ west side.
Southeast Michigan REIT acquires Walker Home Depot location for $22.5 million
Written by Sydney SmithWALKER — A Southeast Michigan real estate investment trust has acquired a key retail facility along the Alpine Avenue corridor in Walker.
GRAND RAPIDS — Kentwood-based Wise Men Distillery LLC is planning a downtown Grand Rapids tasting room.
As erosion along the Great Lakes coastline puts properties in jeopardy, the future of development along Michigan’s coasts remains uncertain.
GRAND RAPIDS — A pair of pilot programs will target two distinct populations of people to help them gain further access to affordable housing in downtown Grand Rapids.
Developer breaks ground on west side Grand Rapids affordable housing project
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — A Wisconsin developer has started construction on a new affordable housing development on Grand Rapids’ northwest side.
GRAND RAPIDS — A popular Detroit-based distillery will open a Grand Rapids tasting room inside of 7 Monks Taproom on Michigan Street.
GRANDVILLE — The Grand Castle LLC has secured a $48.3 million bridge loan from Maryland-based real estate finance firm Walker & Dunlop Inc.
Developers, officials hope Studio 28 housing project catalyzes more development
Written by Sydney SmithWYOMING — Developers of a $35 million housing project at the former Studio 28 movie theater property hope the development will be a catalyst for more activity in Wyoming.
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health continues to scoop up property along Michigan Street east of downtown and its Butterworth Hospital campus.
Ada gains steam with new businesses
Written by Sydney SmithADA — After observing the revitalization of the Ada Village Business District, outdoor retailer Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus is expanding in the suburban community with a new 3,669-square-foot store.
Contractors wrestle with persistent talent issues, concerns over 2020 election
Written by Sydney SmithIn the last year, Kalamazoo-based construction manager CSM Group Inc. has hired an in-house recruiter as part of its human resources team.
Given the demographics in the workforce and the physical nature of the work, construction companies cannot avoid learning about the opioid crisis.
CWD to add street-level commercial space along Lyon Street in downtown Grand Rapids
Written by Sydney SmithGRAND RAPIDS — CWD Real Estate Investment Inc. want to reshape a key downtown corridor with more retail users, including storefronts and restaurants.
Developer scraps plans for large-scale marijuana growing facility in Muskegon County
Written by Sydney SmithDALTON TOWNSHIP — The would-be creators of a large agricultural and industrial complex for growing cannabis have decided not to purchase long-vacant property at the North Muskegon Business Park.
