By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Two established Grand Rapids real estate developers have merged their businesses into a single company focused on redeveloping the urban core. John Green, formerly of Elevation Group, and Andy Winkel, formerly of Kelwin Properties, have joined forces to establish Locus Development, LLC.
“We share the same passion for urban redevelopment, especially in the downtown Grand Rapids area,” Green says. “Look at the projects we’ve done separately in the past and the recent projects we’ve done together. They’re focused on the urban core.”
Recently the duo collaborated on Hopson Flats, an innovative student housing development on Grandville Avenue, Founder’s Brewing, a microbrewery, pub, and restaurant also on Grandville, and 444 Bridge NW, a retail/residential redevelopment of downtown storefronts on the city’s west side.
“We’ve both worked alone for a while,” Winkel says, “and it’s a heck of a lot more fun working with someone and being able to really question each other and ask ‘Does this make sense?’ By joining together we can have that.”
Looking forward, the pair is moving ahead with 38 Commerce, a $26 million public-private project that includes the construction of a new city parking ramp and mixed-use buildings with retail, office and residential spaces.
Green says that because the two have worked on projects in Center City, Heartside and the West Side, that’s where they’ve decided to concentrate future efforts.
“The reality is that we have more ideas than time,” Green adds, “and with limited time you tend to pick those projects that will be the best.”
Source: John Green, Andy Winkel, Locus Development; Craig Clark, Clark Communications
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Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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