Downtown Grandville Gets Its First New Building in Many Years

GRANDVILLE, Mich. — An empty lot in downtown Grandville will soon be home to Timber Flats, a new mixed-use development expected to bring 28 apartments and commercial space to the heart of the city.

The developer behind the project closed on the property last month. City leaders expect them to break ground any day now, with most construction taking place this spring and summer. Leasing is expected to begin by next year.

This is going to be the first new building built in downtown Grandville in many years. We're really excited to start to see some new investment downtown to help hopefully catalyze additional investment moving forward.

— City Manager Griffin Graham

The project marks a significant moment for the city, which has been looking for ways to revitalize its downtown area and attract new residents and businesses.

Why This Matters for Grandville's Downtown

Creating some opportunity for people to live there is expected to increase foot traffic and hopefully participation in some of those other businesses downtown.

The potential increase in foot traffic is something local businesses are looking forward to. Magdelyn Marchinkewicz, Marketing Director at Changing Thyme, has worked at the business since 2019 and has seen downtown Grandville continue to grow.

She said more development like Timber Flats could help keep that momentum going.

I think it'll be so great for all of us just to have a new type of crowd in here, hopefully a younger crowd too. I feel like a lot of younger people are coming out. They like going out to small towns on the weekends or at night, so stopping at the breweries downtown.

— Magdelyn Marchinkewicz, Marketing Director at Changing Thyme

A Catalyst for Future Investment

City Manager Graham says this project is not just about one building, but what it could spark next for the city.

All of this kind of contributes to the broader mission of trying to make downtown Grandville as vibrant of a place as we can. We really view downtown Grandville as a ripe area for investment, and a lot of times, having a project like this be the first one in we hope, will catalyze it more to come.

— City Manager Griffin Graham

The development represents more than just new apartments and retail space. It signals a shift in momentum for downtown Grandville, which has seen periods of slow growth and needs fresh investment to attract new residents and businesses.

What's Next

Construction is expected to begin any day, with the bulk of work happening this spring and summer. The developer has closed on the property and is ready to move forward with the project.

By next year, the apartments and commercial spaces should be available for lease, bringing new residents and businesses to the downtown area.

The project aligns with broader efforts to make downtown Grandville more attractive to younger families and professionals who want to live and work in the city. With nearby breweries, restaurants, and other amenities, downtown Grandville has the infrastructure to support a mixed-use development like Timber Flats.

City leaders hope this will be the first of many new developments in downtown Grandville, creating a more vibrant and economically diverse downtown area that can compete with other towns in Kent County.