With Grand Rapids’ rapid growth, market-rate housing in the downtown core is in high demand. This trend extends to the vibrant, entertainment-focused Arena District. The client sought to capitalize on an underutilized site in this neighborhood, replacing an old parking lot with a mixed-use structure. Our team worked closely with the owner and tenants to manage the complexities of multiple uses within a single high-rise structure and overcome the challenges presented by a long, narrow site surrounded by neighboring buildings.
The mixed-use facility houses retail space, restaurant space, 100 apartment units, 100,000 SF of Class A office space, and a 286-space parking structure. Since the building is comprised of diverse uses, multiple structural systems – including post-tension concrete, structural steel framing with composite concrete slabs, and load bearing metal stud framing – were required, and the team worked collaboratively to solve vertical circulation issues for both tenants and services.
We worked closely with the client throughout the design project to ensure that the building design achieved their budget and proforma goals. Realizing their vision, we helped them succeed by delivering a design that met program requirements, fit within the fabric of the city, and attracted valuable tenants that would occupy the building immediately upon completion. This ground-up development received unanimous approval from the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority.
Now complete, Arena Place is helping to drive economic growth while also opening the doorway to future development in the area. The final product provides parking, new office tenants, and retail options in an evolving part of the downtown core, while also meeting the new building requests of a major local tenant.
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