“I say ‘wow’ every time I come in here,” says Mark Schaafsma as he admires the soaring 45-foot sanctuary where Bethlehem Lutheran Church members used to spend Sundays in worship.
Schaafsma, and his partners at the development firm Renatus are undertaking a unique venture: transform this Heritage Hill landmark into 14 condominiums all while respecting the integrity and history of the building. From the Latin meaning ‘rebirth,’ a ‘renatus’ is something the developers hope to accomplish while converting the Gothic stone church into its new life.
“It’s a venerable, beautiful building,” says Kevin Moore, a partner in the redevelopment project. “We’re trying to help the building through transition into a rebirth.”
The massive structure, on the corner of Prospect Avenue and Crescent Street, rests among the most historic and notable homes in the city. With its breathtaking original stained glass, dark woodwork, old world masonry, and bell tower rising over 70 feet above the grounds, it’s perhaps difficult to conceive a congregation willing to vacate such a glorious space.
But Moore found divine opportunity after Bethlehem moved their devout members to a new home in downtown Grand Rapids. A frequent traveler, he was familiar with the notion of converting churches into housing. His research, in fact, uncovered extraordinary examples of such projects in Ireland, London, Toronto, and New York City. The cases fueled ideas and inspiration. So when Moore happened upon the former Bethlehem building for sale, he instantly knew he struck gold.
He immediately contacted his wife Michelle, Mark Schaafsma, as well as Duke and Jenny DeLeeuw. Before long, the group formed Renatus, LLC and began drawing up plans to transform the building all the while bearing in mind its original purpose and place in the neighborhood.
“It’s not our neighborhood to change; it’s our neighborhood to enhance,” Moore says. “We’re doing what the building gives us.”
Chopping Up the Church
City leaders approved up to 16 individual condominium units throughout the entire church complex. But the developers strive to preserve as much of the existing building as they can. They’re especially hopeful about keeping the sanctuary itself intact as much as reasonably possible.
The current plan calls for three condominiums in that specific space. Although the developers admit they’d prefer no more than two units occupy the grand and soaring room where congregants have gathered since 1934.
More broadly, the new floor plan is expected to include a mix of one-, two-, three-, and even a potential four-story condo. The educational wing of the building lends itself to a clean split and will house the majority of the Manhattan-inspired units. All original windows will remain and, since the mammoth walls through the entire structure are solid, the units already are already soundproof in their construction.
“It’s a very, very expensive building to rehab,” Moore says. “We’ll save any woodwork, doors and salvage things if the owners want. We’ll try to weave in whatever historical elements make the building special.”
Green and sustainable building is the construction standard in Grand Rapids today. And although this old structure doesn’t necessarily lend itself to an easy LEED certification, Renatus intends to choose renewable and environmentally sensitive products when the option is available. From lighting and power use to paint and flooring, the developers say they that “being green” appeals to many of today’s buyers.
“Our interior design people are instructed to look for all things renewable, everything green,” Moore says.
A Vital Reuse
Some might question the sense of adding more housing to a shaky market. Not to mention one in a central city bursting with more and more flashy downtown condominiums. But the renovation project includes a modest 14 residential units. Not the dozens or even hundreds of lofts and apartments brought to market by several major developments currently underway or recently completed.
Moore is confident that their unique project will have no trouble attracting interest. They’re offering charming high end units, he says, in a beautiful building, within a celebrated neighborhood, on the edge of the booming Michigan Street medical corridor.
“We feel Grand Rapids will be a national healthcare destination,” Moore says. “And how often do you get a chance to buy a place in the Hill?”
Heritage Hill is Grand Rapids oldest historic district. So Renatus is working closely with the Heritage Hill Association and the city’s Historic Preservation Commission to ensure their redevelopment plans honor the original character of the building and the neighborhood as a whole. Securing the necessary construction approvals likely will extend the project timeline. But the developers acknowledge that gaining the neighborhood’s acceptance is the first real test on the path to success.
“There’s been a real positive reaction,” Moore says. “We’ve been well received by everybody.”
With such a locally unique “adaptive-reuse concept,” Moore hopes the project will catalyze new reinvestment on the north end of Heritage Hill. He also hopes to attract new residents back to the central city back and continue to fuel Grand Rapids’ renaissance.
“We’re trying to add to the vitality of the city by bringing people in who really want to live here,” Moore says. “It is the
Renatus on the Hill.”
Sarah Kommer, a graduate from Aquinas College, lives and works in Grand Rapids. She last wrote for Rapid Growth about
the Kids Food Basket.
Photos:
Kevin Moore in the balcony of the main sanctuary
Soaring stained glass meets dramatic trusses
Main sanctuary
Detail of gothic lamps
Exterior of historic Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchPhotographs by Brian Kelly - All Rights Reserved