The Village at 48 West

Project Details

Client

Investment Property Associates

Location

Allendale, MI

Scale

56 acres; 1,320 beds

Cost

$34,000,000

Completion

2010

The 41,514 SF mixed-use “Village Center” boasts private second and third story one-bed and two-bed apartments with a shared deck area in addition to private balconies. Street-level amenities include a mail room, leasing office, fitness club, game room, multi-purpose meeting/theater room, a club meeting room, convenience vending and snack area, and outdoor seating with grilling areas. A 4,296 SF “Commons” building anchors the Village Center and includes unique features such as community-wide wireless internet access, a print and copy center, a coffee area, a quiet study area, a cozy fireside gathering area, and the management office. A multi-sports court and outdoor patio area adjoins the Commons building.

Apartment and townhome amenities include spacious bedrooms with closets or built-in organizers, fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, full size washers and dryers in each apartment or town home, cable TV and internet hook-up, and central air conditioning. The main design challenge of this project was to create student housing that had a “village” feel. The local zoning ordinance also required a commercial or retail component to the project. The design solution was to create a variety of building types, both townhomes and traditional apartment buildings, in order to create variety to the Village. In addition to the building variances, the use of several different colors of siding promoted the feel of variety and not “sameness.” The retail component was accomplished by creating a Village Center with retail on the first level and additional student housing above on two floors—more of an urban solution mixed in with Village. The project has been a resounding success with 100% occupancy for the first two years the property has been on the market.

Objective

Create a new style of student housing living that incorporates apartments, townhomes, and "downtown living" experiences.

Outcome

A new model for student living that is consistently near capacity and has set the bar for the competition.