With Grand Rapids, Mich., experiencing growth in its population and development, the architects at Lord Aeck Sargent (LAS) responded to the influx with its new Brix at Midtown project.
Located near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile, the 287-unit apartment community was designed for young professionals and students while also reflecting the neighborhood’s history and character. Fully completed in May 2018, The Brix has been transformational for the surrounding community, LAS reports.
Multifamily Executive spoke with Cristy Fletcher, senior associate at LAS, about the community’s details and how the architects integrated the neighborhood’s history into a building geared toward young renters.
How does The Brix integrate with its neighborhood’s history and character while still meeting the needs of young renters?
We designed the Grand Avenue elevations of the project to relate to the existing neighborhood in both form and scale. Along Benson Avenue, the architectural expression is more urban and modern. The two approaches were blended by utilizing similar materials.
Inside, the interior design focuses on a modern approach to help reassert the appeal to younger renters. The abundance of unique amenity spaces also caters to that market. Our team of architects worked closely with neighborhood groups from the beginning design phases to ensure the plans tied into the existing community spaces.
How were you able to offer so many different floor plans?
The 29 floor plans are a result of the complex, unique site. The process of maximizing the area available for leaseable square footage and our response to the neighborhood’s complex architecture resulted in a great opportunity to provide a variety of floor plans not often found in multifamily living.
How are renters responding to these choices?
They’re enjoying the opportunity to choose a plan that fits their lifestyle and creates the feeling of a customized experience unique from that of other residents in the community.
Jason Keen Photography
What types of renters do you have?
The Brix’s residents are typically young professionals and students, often first-time renters, looking for a vibrant, walkable, lifestyle community. The complex is near Grand Rapids Medical Mile and just a 10-minute walk from downtown shops, restaurants, bars, parks, and art venues. It’s been a catalyst for other growth in the area.
What were the top challenges of this infill project and how did you overcome them?
We encountered three main challenges: 1) achieving the necessary density to create the kind of walkable, urban community desired for the project while respecting the neighborhood context; 2) creating ample outdoor amenity spaces; and 3) negotiating significant topography obstacles. The interior courtyard helped to achieve the latter two goals, while the articulation of the east elevation enabled the project to integrate more seamlessly into the neighborhood.
What’s the range of the unit sizes and rental prices?
Square footage ranges from 750 square feet to 1,500 square feet. The latest pricing can be found here: http://thebrixatmidtown.com/floorplans.