Harry Hepler plans to build a 200 unit, four building apartment complex just north of his Motor Wheel Lofts. The apartments are going to be built from prefab boxes, similar to shipping containers, stacked together to form four floor buildings over parking. He says that he hopes to break ground in 2015.
There's really not much to say here. The buildings look nice, the area could use some density and I have faith in Hepler as a developer.
Well, at least if it is built in this design the buildings should go up pretty fast
I've been real happy with Hepler's work so I'm not worried about the execution here. The Prudden Lofts have exterior parking and maybe some carports (I can't remember). As much as a small garage for the complex may bring units closer to the street and reduce sidewalk crossings, it would also be a negative for a lot of people when they are thinking about how terrible this winter has been and having to carry their groceries outside from the garage to their unit.
I don't expect every project in Lansing to be a well layed out mixed used project with underground garages and/or parking ramps and what not. These type of modular apartment are at least interesting, and if you think that they can't be high quality I'd suggest you look at some of the things people have been doing with these in other places. Besides, look at what Gillespie has been building lately, in high profile locations none the less, in fact look no further than his truly suburban project right next door.
But I do think this is positive and appropriate for downtown, there will be ground floor parking in an area that probably can't support retail, with four floors of residential above. It's also an innovative concept in it's construction. I just think that despite there being parking lots and four likely identical buildings, this is not a suburban style of project. I like the way they look too BTW.
Most importantly for me, I do not want to see the building renovated. I feel like if it were renovated it would make the development of anything worthwhile on the site unlikely.
I've always wanted to see a high rise on the corner, at least 20 floors tall, I'd prefer it be a hotel and/or residential but office wouldn't disappoint me. I pretty much figure that there will be a large parking ramp involved in any project here and that would go where the Walter Neller building is, if we're lucky there will be some sort of liner building surrounding the ramp or at minimum ground floor retail.
I think the only existing retail space down there big enough for a decent grocery store would be in Knapp's, and that doesn't seem too likely. I was thinking maybe around St Joe & Washington would be a good spot for new construction. There are a few lots on both streets that would probably be large enough to have some surface parking along with the store, the area sure could use some life.
On your note, that large underused property accross from Riverfront Towers would be a great spot.
If I had control (and the money!) to determine what happened next with the Walter Neller property, I'd probably build something midsize (4-6) stories there. Mixed use with office and residential on the upper floors and retail on the ground floor. Although a 20-story building would be amazing, I don't think there is enough demand in downtown to get enough occupancy for the building. The abundance of surface parking lots is a symptom of this.
Comments
Harry Hepler plans to build a 200 unit, four building apartment complex just north of his Motor Wheel Lofts. The apartments are going to be built from prefab boxes, similar to shipping containers, stacked together to form four floor buildings over parking. He says that he hopes to break ground in 2015.
There's really not much to say here. The buildings look nice, the area could use some density and I have faith in Hepler as a developer.
I've been real happy with Hepler's work so I'm not worried about the execution here. The Prudden Lofts have exterior parking and maybe some carports (I can't remember). As much as a small garage for the complex may bring units closer to the street and reduce sidewalk crossings, it would also be a negative for a lot of people when they are thinking about how terrible this winter has been and having to carry their groceries outside from the garage to their unit.
I've always wanted to see a high rise on the corner, at least 20 floors tall, I'd prefer it be a hotel and/or residential but office wouldn't disappoint me. I pretty much figure that there will be a large parking ramp involved in any project here and that would go where the Walter Neller building is, if we're lucky there will be some sort of liner building surrounding the ramp or at minimum ground floor retail.
On your note, that large underused property accross from Riverfront Towers would be a great spot.