LOWELL, Mich. (WOOD) — Construction has officially kicked off on a 72-unit apartment community in Lowell.
Known as Lowell Flats, the development at 1131 Bowes Road near S. West Avenue SE will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom units across three different buildings. It's a new prototype for Wheeler Development Group, which broke ground on the project Wednesday.
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Each three-story building will contain eight units per floor. In total, there will be 54 one-bedrooms, with rents starting at $1,525, and 18 two-bedrooms, with rents starting at $1,695. Thirty-six of the units are considered rent-reduced, which means they're locked into those rates; for the other 36 units, rates can be adjusted over time based on market conditions.
Lowell Flats will also include parking and a new pedestrian walkway.
"This is more than a new apartment community — it's an investment in Lowell's future," said Ryan Wheeler, president of WDG, in a statement. "We believe Lowell Flats will serve as a catalyst for continued growth, new investment and expanded housing opportunities in the area."
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Lowell's connections to smaller towns like Alaska and Alto — towns that have "very few" rental options — make it a desirable location for rental housing, explained Jason Wheeler, a partner at WDG Construction. He also noted that it's about 5 miles from Ada, where the demand for rentals is very high.
The project is supported by brownfield tax increment financing.
Construction is expected to take about a year, with the first residents moving in next June. All three buildings should be finished by September 2027, the developer said.
Last week, WDG broke ground on Knapp Hills Townhomes, a 38-unit townhome development in northeast Grand Rapids.
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