Belknap Place is a new 3-story, 50-unit apartment building nestled in the historic Belknap Lookout neighborhood of Grand Rapids that provides an equitable mix of affordable and market-rate residential units. The building is close to Grand Valley State University, the “Medical Mile” healthcare district, and popular restaurants and attractions with easy access to public transportation and the highway—a critical location for urban connectivity. The project is a public-private endeavor between the development team of PK Development Group and Third Coast Development and the property owner, Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

Its efficient design resulted in a unit mix of 35 1-bedroom apartments, 13 2-bedroom apartments, and two 3-bedroom apartments. This broad unit mix complements the diverse neighborhood and GVSU’s desire to replace the affordable family housing in the neighborhood they removed for the development. Of the 50 units, ten are market-rate, and 40 are earmarked for residents making from 30% to 80% of Kent County’s area median income.

The team thoughtfully designed each of the 11 unique unit plans with open concepts, modern finishes, and large windows for ample daylight. First-floor units are walk-up-style units with private porches and individual entries, while the upper floors have flat-style apartments. The development also features a community room, covered and uncovered parking, and high-density bike storage.