By the end of the year, Midland developer Brookstone Capital hopes to have transformed the former Bethel Pentecostal Church building (834 Lake Dr. SE) into 37 affordable apartments in the East Hills Neighborhood.
The church, built in 1923 and expanded to 41,000 square feet in 1967, will soon have another 12,000 square feet of contemporary living space added atop the 1967 addition. Some of the original architectural elements in the sanctuary area will become architectural features in several apartments.
"The vaulted ceilings will stay, and the big sanctuary windows will stay," says Aaron Jonker, senior project lead with
Wolverine Building Group. "The church (Bethel Pentecostal) took the stained glass windows with them to their new location, but the large windows that replaced them will be part of several apartments. Right now, the sanctuary is a three-story space and we'll divide that into two floors."
The layout includes 21-one-bedroom and 16-two-bedroom units. One of each style will be fully handicap accessible, including accessible kitchens and cabinets.
Jonker says the exterior will have the same visual appeal it has now, after undergoing some repair of the decorative columns.
Construction will be completed to
Enterprise Green Communities certification standards with a focus on energy efficient windows, insulation, and a high efficiency HVAC system.
"The building is in great shape yet, and it's great to be able to continue that legacy and preserve it for some time going forward," Jonker says. "This (increased density) will also support the businesses in the area."
Construction begins in February. Projected completion is December 2013.
Construction manager: Wolverine Building Group
Architect:
Progressive AE
Green certification consultant:
Catalyst Partners
Source: Aaron Jonker, Wolverine Building Group
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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