Brix at Midtown project - Grand & Benson - Michigan Street

[GRDadof3 2731]

Appears to be a new apartment project in the works for the area between Grand Ave and Benson Ave, and from the "Michigan Street Alley" North to the railroad tracks. 

 

Some details:

 

) 4 story apartment project, with 3 story sections along Grand Ave to reduce height

) 4 story parking ramp at the North end of the site
) Potential connection to the Women's Health Center parking lot/ramp and through to Grand Ave.

) 290 - 300 units

 

That's all I can find so far online.

 

[tSlater 199]

It seems this neighbourhood could fill in quickly with infill considering the demand for apartments, proximity to downtown, and Heritage Hill blocking development immediate to the east of downtown.  It's certainly got momentum building.

[GR_Urbanist 560]

Looking at the bird's eye view on Bing Maps, we aren't talking about a tiny sliver of land here. If it includes all of that property between the two streets to the RR tracks (Kent Novelty is at the SE corner of the block), then this is going to be a massive building that will potentially put up to a thousand people in this area. A major changing of the game, or some phrase like that.

[MiGuyz 3]

Do we know who bought Kent Novelty yet?  Sale closed last week. 

[GRDadof3 2731]

Looking at the bird's eye view on Bing Maps, we aren't talking about a tiny sliver of land here. If it includes all of that property between the two streets to the RR tracks (Kent Novelty is at the SE corner of the block), then this is going to be a massive building that will potentially put up to a thousand people in this area. A major changing of the game, or some phrase like that.

 

Agreed. To get 290 - 300 units in a four story building complex, it will most likely go all the way out to Michigan. That's a lotta bodies. 

 

For comparison, the LMD & Seward project is 63 apartments, Fulton Place will have 120, and I think even River House only has about 210. Boardwalk has 240 I believe. 

[GRDadof3 2731]

Here ya go. Doesn't go all the way out to Michigan, but it does show a "West" building on Benson.

 

Ambling Management appears to be out of Valdosta, GA. 

 

The architect Lord Aeks Sargent appears to be based in Atlanta but has an office in Ann Arbor.

 

I should add that this plan only shows the project ending at the Michigan Street Alley, but perhaps they have picked up Kent Novelty now to make the project bigger. They have talked about vacating the alley.

 

 

Talk amongst yourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GR8scott 104]

I really wish there would be a MID rise in MID town and that west building would be an ideal spot for an iconic looking 15 story with lots of density surrounding it

[GRDadof3 2731]

I really wish there would be a MID rise in MID town and that west building would be an ideal spot for an iconic looking 15 story with lots of density surrounding it

 

That whole area between the highway and Michigan is going through a rezoning process. I don't know what the height limits will be. But based on the discussion I'm looking at, it sounds like the neighborhood pushed to have the 4 story portion on Grand Ave brought down to the current 3 story version you see now (with roof lines that resemble the nearby housing). I can't imagine them wanting a 15 story building in that area. 

[GVSUChris 290]

Ugh, those peaks...

I know that they want it to resemble nearby housing, but the reality is it just looks like a Grandville apartment complex rather than charming single family homes.

It looks cheap and pedestrian.

[temporary.name 187]

It looks cheap and pedestrian.

I like it. Not like its a high traffic tourist area. Its a functional development intended as such. If the market demands something better, it can always be torn down but this isn't Chicago just yet; gotta build to the market.

[MJLO 542]

With projects like this in the works it's hard not to think Michigan St. in the midtown area will be completely redeveloped in the next 5 years.

[x99 479]

I always liked this little neighborhood.  Sad to see it hit the bulldozer, apparently.   It isn't clear whether this goes to Michigan or not.  If not, I suppose I don't much care about the appearance all that much given that it seems to be tucked away on a dead end street. 

Edited May 12, 2015 by x99

[ctpgr34 226]

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/06/medical_mile_developer_wants_t.html#incart_river

[GRDadof3 2731]

A little more freshened up images of this project. 

Cool view.

 

 

 

 

[MJLO 542]

What is the timeline on this?  I can't find anything in the articles that give an anticipated or desired start date.

[GRDadof3 2731]

41 minutes ago, MJLO said:

What is the timeline on this?  I can't find anything in the articles that give an anticipated or desired start date.

"Total capital investment is estimated at $53 million and the Project will likely commence in early 2016 and be completed within 15 to 18 months." per the Brownfield application. They have 16 homes that they plan to demolish first. 

[walker 271]

Short article about the state granting this project a pretty hefty tax break:

apartment complex gets tax break 

[MJLO 542]

Forgive the quality of the photo.  The unfortunate position of the sun blinds the spot where you can see the Mid-town Village garage.  They are definitely clearing the site for construction.  Due to my lack of paying attention skills I was under the impression this project went all the way to Michigan.  The renderings clearly show it does not.  The buildings fronting Michigan look like crap here.  I hope this developer considers something fronting Michigan there as well.

As far as i'm concerned Michigan St between College and Lafeyette could use a complete gutting, (With a few exceptions.) It's weird to me to see these big brand new projects sitting next to the  mostly run down single family homes, and mostly run down old business buildings, with empty lots, and conspicuously big parking lots mixed in. 

[GRDadof3 2731]

13 hours ago, MJLO said:

Forgive the quality of the photo.  The unfortunate position of the sun blinds the spot where you can see the Mid-town Village garage.  They are definitely clearing the site for construction.  Due to my lack of paying attention skills I was under the impression this project went all the way to Michigan.  The renderings clearly show it does not.  The buildings fronting Michigan look like crap here.  I hope this developer considers something fronting Michigan there as well.

As far as i'm concerned Michigan St between College and Lafeyette could use a complete gutting, (With a few exceptions.) It's weird to me to see these big brand new projects sitting next to the  mostly run down single family homes, and mostly run down old business buildings, with empty lots, and conspicuously big parking lots mixed in. 

What is it we're looking at? Is that building to the right the one that sits right next to the railroad tracks? 

[MJLO 542]

Yes it is,  if you are looking at it from the north you can see the demo work they are doing on it.

[GRDadof3 2731]

Pics from today. 

 

That building's the only thing left on this side, all the houses are gone. The houses on the other street are all boarded or flagged. 

[ant33 18]

An updated pic I took this morning from the women's health ramp..

[ant33 18]

 

[ironyisadeadscene 223]

I noticed this was going vertical this weekend when I passed it.  Impressive already. 

[GRDadof3 2731]

On 9/20/2016 at 11:22 AM, ant33 said:

 

Can see it clearly from 196.