Clark Place condominium sales success indicates demand for downtown Grand Rapids living

The quick sale of 19 of Clark Place's 22 condominiums since June is a good indicator of market demand for downtown Grand Rapids residential ownership, says Chris Beckering.

Beckering is director of business development for Pioneer Construction, the builder responsible for transforming a circa 1900 American Seating warehouse into a mixed-use center of residential spaces and commercial enterprises. He says the market was ripe last June when the company launched an initiative to convert 22 luxury apartments into condominiums.

"The success of the condo conversion proves that there is just incredible demand for downtown residential condos, particularly on the west side," Beckering says. "We've seen a strong demand and steady showings and have averaged a closing a week since mid-June. Thirty percent of our sales were to tenants who had been leasing in the building -- three times the average conversion rate."

Of the three condos still available, two are two-bedroom, two-bath units -- one of which is the fully furnished builder's model with an option to purchase the furnishings -- and a three-bedroom, four-bath unit. All 22 condos are on the top (fourth) floor. Prices of the remaining unit range from $189,900 to $329,900. Condo dues are about 18 cents per square foot.

Clark Place is a microcosm of lifestyles with singles, couples, and families, and a wide range of occupations that include sales managers, attorneys, small business owners, and psychologists.

In the early '30s, American Seating filmed an airplane landing on the building's roof to showcase the marvels of living in a modern age. View the video here.

To find out more about Clark Place living, click here.

Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor