New Urban Development Firm Opens Doors in Downtown Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI, June 04, 2011 (Press-News.org) Upstart property development firm 616 Lofts has recognized a gap between downtown Grand Rapids' growing economy and available spaces for living and business, and the firm is on a mission to close that gap. With much of the city's prime downtown real estate tied up in run down, unusable building space, 616 Lofts has seized the opportunity to rehabilitate these historic properties into unique mixed-use spaces for residential living, office space and retail. Working strictly with downtown properties, 616 Lofts aims to encourage growth in Grand Rapids' urban living, business development and community.

Derek J. Coppess, founder and managing director of 616 Lofts, has extensive experience developing real estate in the Grand Rapids area. To date, Derek has successfully acquired and rehabilitated over 200 units in the Grand Rapids area. A resident of downtown Grand Rapids himself, Derek's vision for 616 Lofts extends beyond creating cashflow from abandoned real estate.

When Coppess moved Grand Rapids in 2009, he was shocked at the lack of available living space he found downtown. "The city center had so much to offer in regards to nightlife, business and culture, but it had hardly anything to offer in regards to urban living," he observed.

"Our goal is to bring people downtown to work, eat, and just...live!", Coppess commented. "We're not only about filling our vacant listings; we want to foster the kind of tenant community that helps the downtown area continue to grow - a community of people who love to have fun, to innovate, and who love Grand Rapids!"

Aligning its company values with those of the community's, 616 Lofts's upcycled properties are rehabilitated using the latest standards and technologies in environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. The firm is currently looking into acquiring LEED accreditation. 616 Lofts is using First Companies, a local construction company, for all building development.

In addition to development, 616 Lofts offers leasing and property management for spaces developed by the firm. 616 Lofts currently has residential loft apartment spaces available at 206 Grandville Avenue and 139 Pearl Street, with several available office spaces for lease at 190 Monroe. Forty additional residential and office units in prime downtown areas are available for pre-leasing for fall 2011. Property listing details and other company information can be found at www.616lofts.com.

616 Lofts is currently exploring strategic alliances with downtown businesses which share 616 Loft's vision of growing Grand Rapids' downtown community. This partnership, or the "616 Pass", would allow loft residents to receive exclusive perks from downtown establishments.

About 616 Lofts
616 Lofts is a boutique-style real estate development and management firm specializing in rehabilitating properties in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. With an emphasis on sustainability and community, 616 Lofts upcycles unused prime real estate into urban loft apartments, office and retail spaces. To learn more, contact Monica Clark, 616 Lofts Operations Manager, or view property listings or learn more at www.616lofts.com.