With the demand for downtown housing continually on the rise in Grand Rapids, developer Orion Real Estate Solutions (ORES) selected the Michigan Oaks neighborhood to construct a new townhome community. Based on the success of our previous collaborations, ORES engaged Ghafari to provide architectural and interior design services for the project. Given the site’s location in a zoned low-density and mid-century neighborhood, we worked closely with the city planning department to determine applicable zoning requirements.
The community will encompass 87 two- and three-bedroom units spread throughout 23 buildings. The zoning of the neighborhood only allowed for two-and-a-half story buildings. Based on these parameters, our team worked with the owner’s civil consultant to maximize the number of units on the site and give the owners the best possible return on their investment.
Our design of the buildings stemmed from a desire for housing that more closely resembled single-family homes with a variety of sizes and layouts. Our team spent time meeting with the city planning department, and listening to the concerns of community members in order to refine our architectural design around their feedback. To further respect the neighborhood and lessen the impact on the surrounding area, we kept the buildings centered in the middle of the site, maintaining the clearance outside of the wetland to leave the site’s existing ecosystem unharmed. The site will also contain designated green spaces and provide ample spaces for pets.
When complete, the Michigan Meadows community will offer comfortable townhome units complete with gas fireplaces, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a washer and dryer. In addition, the development will offer close proximity to the downtown area and major highways.
