Fulton & Gold
One of Construction Simplified’s founding principles of business is to utilize our skillsets and knowledge to create our own developments, owned by the team of partners, to create long term equity. We do so with not only wise and founded developments, but ones that push the norms of our communities have seen and are used to. The Fulton & Gold development is a prime example of just that.
Initially brought to CS as a stalled pre-planned development from years past, it consisted of (3) total lots, (2) of which housed vacant and dismantled structures of a gas station and residence. However, the land is on the doorstep of Grand Valley State University, situated on the newly constructed hi-speed bus line, and is the stone’s through from Downtown Grand Rapids entertainment district. It was an easy decision to purchase the property, remove the vacant structures, and begin reimagining what it could be, thus becoming a highlight of CS’ portfolio.
As the property sits on the highly trafficked West Fulton, which sees plenty activity with the GVSU student body and those heading into the CBD from the west, we knew the architecture had to capture its prominent position. Therefore, we designed clearly within the city’s existing ordinance to ensure a speedy design and city approval all while complying with the approved City initiative of an overlay district called the “U to the Zoo Plan”. CS challenged multiple architectural firms to take our inspiration and construction efficiency ideas and put into plan form, thus picking a partner, and bringing the three-story mixed-use development to life.
The plan is simple… how to efficiently design a 3-story, mixed use, development with all one-bedroom units that would suit the college demographics parallel with the rising apartment costs in the city. The units are spacious 550 SF leaving no room for excess SF for hallways and extra doors but living much grander. We also have created separate residential entries vs. the commercial storefronts that are required on the first floor. To meet ADA, we have designed a private 1st floor unit as well. On the exterior, the two buildings are joined at the 2.5 level for a common area deck as well as providing the code required 2nd means of egress. To maintain building cost efficiency, we were able to eliminate the elevator need as well as provided a single sloped roof, eliminating all internal drains, roof parapets, and maintenance. In total, the development provides (17) units for living and nearly 4,500 SF of street facing retail.
“Currently, other factors including COVID-19 challenges, curiosity on the downtown apartment recovery, and additional surrounding site acquisitions and development expansions, have slowed the instantaneous timing of this development. However, the team at CS is excited to break ground in 2021.”
