616 adding more apartments to downtown mix

616 adding more apartments to downtown mix

616 Development said 616 Lofts at Grandville is the most popular living location. Photo courtesy 616 Lofts

After unveiling 21 new apartments last fall at 1 Ionia Ave. SW and then announcing it would build a dozen more through its conversion of the Kendall Building at 16 Monroe Center, 616 Development recently decided to add a few more units to its downtown lofts community.

The company has just started construction on seven new apartments at 616 Lofts at Grandville, located at 206 Grandville Ave. SW. Three of the seven will be two-bedroom apartments, while the rest will be single-bedroom units. All are market rate apartments.

The housing units are going in on the building’s second floor, which 616 Development had originally intended to lease as office space. But when that plan didn’t work out, the firm decided to convert the entire floor to living space.

616 Lofts at Grandville is probably the company’s least-known community with it being situated on the outer edge of downtown. But the company said the structure remains its most popular living location. It offers on-site parking and is close to Founders Brewing Co.

The new apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy in mid-September. Pre-leasing begins in July and more information is available at 616lofts.com/apartments.

As for the Kendall Building, company President Derek Coppess said most of the new windows have been installed and work on the sidewalk and exterior electrical vault are finished. 

616 has now turned its immediate attention to floors three through five, where the apartments will be located. The third-floor apartments have been primed and the trim carpentry has begun on all four. The firm hopes to have the living units ready in the fall.

The Kendall Building offers 15,000 square feet across its five stories. 616 Development is spending about $4 million on the restoration of the building, which opened in 1880, and will move into its second floor when the project is completed.