Orion Construction, in partnership with CWD Real Estate Investment, has begun transforming one of downtown Grand Rapids’ most recognizable historic buildings, The Ledyard Block, at the corner of Ottawa Avenue and Pearl Street.
The $12.3 million project, located at 125 Ottawa Ave. NW, will convert the building’s upper floors into 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments while preserving the historic character that has defined the landmark for 152 years.
“The Ledyard Block is another opportunity to honor Grand Rapids’ past while building for its future,” said Orion Construction’s CEO Roger Rehkopf. “Our team takes tremendous pride in restoring historic buildings that have helped define this city for generations. Partnering with CWD once again allows us to preserve an important piece of downtown’s history while creating much-needed housing that will keep more people living, working and investing in our urban core.”
Orion Construction and CWD Real Estate Investment had previously partnered together for the recently completed The Residences at 111 Lyon project.
“Stewardship of downtown Grand Rapids is in our blood,” said Sam Cummings, managing partner of CWD Real Estate Investment. “The Ledyard Block is one of the city’s great historic buildings, and we’re honored to restore residential living to a place that was originally designed to be part of a vibrant mixed-use downtown.”
The four-story Ledyard Block is the second-oldest commercial building still in operation in downtown Grand Rapids. Constructed of yellow brick and Ionia sandstone, the building has stood at the heart of the city since 1874, serving generations of businesses, residents and visitors. In 1983, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Designed by architect William G. Robinson for banker William B. Ledyard, the building functioned as a true mixed-use destination similar to what is seen today in downtown Grand Rapids. It combined retail, office and residential space under one roof. Through this redevelopment, CWD and Orion Construction are restoring one of the building’s original purposes by once again making it a place people can call home.
The redevelopment is supported by the City of Grand Rapids and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, whose participation helped make the complex historic conversion possible. MSHDA supported the project through grant funding and tax increment financing, while the City supported the redevelopment through tax increment financing and a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone designation.
The project brings together a team of West Michigan and national partners, with Orion Construction serving as construction manager, Ghafari Associates leading architecture and design, and E3M Solutions providing project management throughout the project.
Orion began demolition on the Ledyard building about two weeks ago. Crews are now performing interior demolition, including removing nearly all the walls and flooring, most ceilings and lighting, and the existing HVAC system. The building’s windows and historic exterior are being preserved, he said.
“Demolition is always exploration,” Rehkopf told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “You get see something different all the time. Nothing’s probably square, nothing’s probably dimensioned the way it probably should have been. And so, you kind of work your way through it and make it all work.”
“We think this is going to be a lot more prevalent downtown,” Rehkopf told Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. “We are looking at a couple other projects where they are going to get to residential or some type of different use other than office, but we see downtown kind of changing.”
In the Media:
• Crain’s Grand Rapids Business: CWD moves ahead with second downtown office-to-apartment conversion
• MLive/Grand Rapids Press: Construction begins on 40-unit office-to-apartment conversion at historic building
• FOX 17: Historic Grand Rapids office building to be converted into 40 downtown apartments
• WGVU: Construction begins on $12.3 million Ledyard Block housing redevelopment in downtown Grand Rapids
• WOOD TV8: $12.3M project to add 40 apartments in 152-year-old Grand Rapids building
• WZZM 13: Office-to-residential project begins at historic Ledyard Building
