GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A $12.3 million office-to-residential project is getting underway in downtown Grand Rapids.
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CWD Real Estate Investment is transforming the upper floors of the historic Ledyard Block at Ottawa Avenue NW and Pearl Street NW into 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The goal is to wrap up the project in June or July.
The four-story, 62-foot-tall Italianate structure was built in 1874, featuring pale yellow brick and Ionia sandstone. It was designed by William G. Robinson, the prominent architect who was also behind structures like the now-closed St. James Catholic Church and the Ladies’ Literary Club building, according to a National Register of Historic Places nomination from 1983.
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The Ledyard Block was originally a mixed-use building, with commercial, office and hotel space inside. Now, as West Michigan faces a housing shortage, CWD Real Estate’s project will restore that residential function, managing partner Sam Cummings said.
Speaking with media outlets Monday, he cited changing work patterns and the challenges of office space…