The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a plan for a nearly $800 million, three-building project in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The project will add over one million square feet of new office, hotel, and retail space to a now-vacant property.
The development will occupy over 6 acres along the Grand River at Fulton Street and Market Avenue, including the former Charley’s Crab restaurant site. An incentive package totaling approximately $565.5 million was approved last week, Crains Grand Rapids reported.
A 21-story office tower with around 916,000 square feet is planned. It will be built atop a parking podium with eight floors of vehicle spaces and 13 floors of office space. Construction is expected to start in fall 2025 and be completed in fall 2027.
Plans for a 43-story residential tower include nearly 600 apartments aimed at individuals earning around 150% of the area median income, with monthly expected rental rates between $2,643 and $3,928. The residential tower will become the loftiest building in downtown Grand Rapids, surpassing the current tallest, which belongs to the 34-story luxury condos River House at Bridgewater Place.
Affordable housing is expected to benefit from around $8.5 million in contributions to the Grand Rapids’ affordable housing fund over 20 years, supporting approximately 85 affordable units.
A 27-story hotel and condo tower will feature 76 condos and 130 hotel rooms. It will also be built on a parking structure. The development will include over 2,500 parking spaces and 37,800 square feet of retail space integrated with the parking podiums. These structures are expected to start construction in the summer of 2026 and be completed in the summer of 2029.
Developers plan to improve access to the riverfront, the ability to walk the area, and quality of life by adding public greenspace and walking trails to link neighborhoods and local attractions.
Ron Van Singel, a 44-year resident of Grand Rapids who now lives in Georgia, said the project “could help revitalize the downtown area.” He warmly recalled time spent downtown during Christmas and school field trips. Van Singel recognized the draw of downtown to locals and tourists, including places like the DeVos Place Convention Center and Van Andel Arena.
Van Singel added that he looks forward to seeing rapids back on the Grand River. Grand Rapids WhiteWater is organizing efforts to return the namesake to the river. Rapids disappeared following the building of dams in the 1800s and 1900s. Efforts are underway by the organization to revitalize 2.5 miles of the Grand River with dam removal and river restoration to enhance the sustainability of fish, wildlife, and natural resources. The Lower Reach section of the revitalization water project, which covers Bridge Street to Fulton Street, is expected to begin in July 2025.
The next steps for the 6 acres along the Grand River at Fulton Street and Market Avenue include a public hearing scheduled for November 12 to consider the Transformational Brownfield Plan and an affordable housing agreement. Plans also include seeking state incentives from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board in February 2025.
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