By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Sixteen Heritage Square Townhomes, all live/work units, are on the drawing board for Clay Street between First and Second Streets in downtown Muskegon, with a surprising twist on the “work” side of the equation: retail space.
Most live/work condominiums are designed with office space to accommodate service businesses — offices will also be an option here — but these condos could be stepping out into a world of convenience for retail shop owners.
“I think it's going to be unique for West Michigan,” said owner Gary Post. “The three-story units could be designed with the whole main level having up to 800-square-feet of retail space.”
The City of Muskegon has yet to approve the project. Post has had preliminary meetings with the Downtown Muskegon Development Corporation, and he said the site is zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development), which allows a mix of residential and retail.
The site is 1.5 acres, which will accommodate the urban style townhomes, each with two-stall garages, decks, and porches, plus a small communal green space for outdoor eating or play. The units will be divided between 2- and 3-story homes; how many of each has yet to be decided.
The homes will range from 1,550 square feet to 2,350 square feet, and each will have a full basement. Prices are expected to range from about $250,000 to $300,000.
Muskegon Lake, a shoreline bike trail, art museums, theaters, restaurants, and shopping are all within walking distance of the proposed row houses.
“There’s a movement of young people without children and empty nesters back to downtowns,” Post said. “People will find it's convenient to live and work in a setting where they don't need to commute.”
Heritage Square Development, LLC will be doing the construction, Sidock Group, Inc. is the architect, and Details & Design by Mary Kaye is designing the interiors.
Source: Gary Post, Heritage Square Development, LLC
Deborah Johnson Wood is Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.