Orion Construction, in partnership with CWD Real Estate, joined city leaders, community partners, and downtown stakeholders on June 1, to celebrate the official grand opening of the Residences at 111 Lyon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
The event marked the completion of Michigan’s first major office-to-residential conversion project, transforming much of the iconic 111 Lyon office tower into 140 modern residential apartments while maintaining commercial office space for longtime tenants, including Fifth Third Bank. Orion Construction served as the general contractor for the redevelopment.
The redevelopment converted seven floors of the 95,025-square-foot building into residential space featuring a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. The project also introduced a wide range of amenities, including the all new “club level” which boast a fitness center, indoor pickleball court, golf simulator room, indoor pool, resident lounge and secure parking and storage.
“This project is a large momentum happening across downtown Grand Rapids and it’s really great to see the way this city is going,” Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf said during the event. “We’re proud to contribute and continue transformation of the city by helping bring new energy, investment and opportunity in the heart of downtown. It’s exciting to see this building begin its next chapter and become part of the downtown continued growth in the future.”
Originally constructed in 1966 as the regional headquarters for Old Kent Bank, the building has long stood as a recognizable fixture of the downtown skyline and a symbol of Grand Rapids’ evolving urban landscape.
“What makes this project so meaningful is that it honors the history of this building while positioning it for the future of downtown Grand Rapids,” said Sam Cummings, managing partner of CWD Real Estate. “111 Lyon has been part of the story of this city for 60 years. This building played a transformational role in 1966 when it was originally dedicated, and it is repeating that role today as we redefine its use and welcome new residents into its reimagined spaces – 60 years to the day after its original dedication. I want to give special thanks to the incredible team of designers, contractors and subcontractors that have poured their ingenuity and hard work into this project over the past two years.”
During the ceremony, Orion Construction Senior Superintendent Dan Melpolder was given the honor of cutting the ribbon with the same scissors used in the ribbon cutting of the original building 60 years ago – on May 31, 1966.
Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand highlighted the importance of adaptive reuse projects in strengthening the city’s urban core and addressing growing housing demand.
“This project represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment we need to continue building a vibrant and thriving downtown,” said LaGrand. “By reimagining an existing landmark into much-needed housing, CWD and its partners have created new opportunities for residents while preserving an important piece of Grand Rapids history.”
The project began construction in March 2025 with a ceremonial “wall breaking” event that symbolized the beginning of the building’s transformation. Just over a year later – almost exactly 60 years after the building’s original ribbon cutting in May 1966 – community leaders once again gathered at 111 Lyon to celebrate the next chapter in the building’s history.
Throughout the redevelopment, project teams worked to preserve many of the building’s distinctive architectural elements, including its signature vertical window fins and brutalist design characteristics. Additional design details throughout the property intentionally pay tribute to the building’s history, including custom fixtures and reused materials incorporated into common spaces.
Project partners participating in the ribbon cutting also included representatives from Fifth Third Bank, Integrated Architecture, MHSDA, the City of Grand Rapids, and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
In addition to expanding housing opportunities downtown, the project is expected to further contribute to the area’s economic growth by increasing residential density and supporting nearby businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Leasing for the Residences at 111 Lyon is currently underway, with residents expected to begin moving into the building this summer.
