The urban-industrial architecture of her downtown apartment was a big selling point for Andrea Ragan, who both lives and works at The Arbaugh. One of downtown Lansing’s residential rehabilitation projects, the building is named for the downtown Lansing department store that was reportedly the tallest building in the city when it was built in 1905.
“When I first saw it, there was an absolute ‘wow,’” explains Ragan, who has been living in the building since graduating from Michigan State University in 2005. “I was looking at all the most affordable urban places and seeing your typical tiny studio apartments in buildings from the 50s. This place blew them out of the water, in both price and in style.”
Having grown up in Gaylord, this city-girl-at-heart started her own urban trend while living at the busy corner of Albert Avenue and Abbot Road in East Lansing during college. “I loved the action, knowing that I could walk outside at 2 a.m. and there was stuff going on. I could order a pizza at 4 a.m. That’s when I fell in love with the urban lifestyle.”
That feeling has transferred to her new location on the corner of Washington and Kalamazoo in Downtown Lansing. “I like that everything is close, that I don’t have to drive everywhere, that I can walk it, bike it, or bus it,” she says. She cites the Tavern on the Square, Kelly’s Downtown, and Brannigan Brothers as frequent hangouts, as well as The Firm for live bands.
“The building is beautiful inside and outside,” she says, “with big, open floor plans and big windows. And half the time I can open my windows and hear live music from the street.”
The New Old Town
One of the first waves of residential development in the city took place in the Old Town area, just north of downtown. Now the area is attracting not only urban dwellers, but new businesses as well.
“It's a hot neighborhood right now,” says John Pategne, a 25-year resident of Old Town. “There's always something going on.” Residents of the On the Grand Condominiums on Turner Street, which this spring added eight new units to the original 20, benefit from the revitalization of their neighborhood.
Old Town boasts a large number of locally owned shops and restaurants. Most of those business owners also live in Old Town, some in lofts right over their stores. Events such as the popular Blues Festival and Jazz Festival take place steps from their front door.
Even when start-ups don't pan out, says Pategne, they still result in renovated buildings, making the area more attractive for others looking for storefronts, offices, and living space. Specialty shops, entertainment venues and restaurants line Turner Street, while one block over on Center Street, non-profit agencies, an environmental consulting firm and other businesses are settling into new accommodations.
Location and convenience play a big role in the decisions of lots of urban dwellers.
Elizabeth Kerr rents a 1,300 square foot, two-bedroom apartment at Prudden Place and works downtown. She credits the convenience and the amenities for the decision to move to the new development, which she characterizes as a “standard apartment complex in a non-standard place.”
“I like that I can walk a lot of places,” says Kerr. “Old Town is very close, and I really enjoy the shops and restaurants there. I run on the River Trail, which is right nearby, and restaurants like 621 and Bonnie's and Roma Bakery are very close. I often stop at the City Market on my way home if I walk to work.”
“I looked in downtown, Old Town, at other properties owned by the same management, and in South Lansing,” she says. "I chose Prudden Place because of the location and the price for the amenities. It's an easy place to live.”
The Green Dimension
Developers are also working to remake urban living spaces with new buildings that reflect the values of a traditional urban community and add new, environmentally green features.
Printer's Row was designed to promote and support a lifestyle based on social interaction and community, and incorporates common areas to encourage people to spend time together and socialize. Developer Gene Townsend also used green design elements including environmentally friendly products, such as cellulose insulation and low odor, no-VOC paints to improve the environment for residents.
The Motor Wheel Lofts preserved the unique qualities of the original building while creating an energy efficient living space—not an easy challenge in an old building with 13-foot ceilings, massive windows and concrete floors, says owner and developer Harry Hepler, of H. Inc. But one that was well worth the effort.
“I like living in a green building and in a place that I feel good about,” says resident Steve Purchase, who hopes to buy his one bedroom Motor Wheel apartment when the opportunity arises. “I can walk or ride my bike to work, campus, the market, and everywhere between. The fact that the project reclaimed an idled building that might otherwise have been torn down, and was designed to be ‘green’ is really icing on the cake.”
According to Hepler, the project’s low-flow toilets, energy efficient appliances, and argon-gas filled windows all aid in offering what Purchase describes as “very low” utility bills. Other green touches include sliding doorways with frosted panes made from recycled coke bottles and inlaid with Michigan reed grass.
Such green features were among the most exciting for Motor Wheel resident and building manager, Lauren McLennan, who also points out the on-site recycling facilities and recycled-fiber carpeting.
“My sister in Seattle is jealous of me living here,” McLennan says, who lived in Atlanta while attending art school before returning to Michigan. “She told me that if this building were here four years ago, she would have stayed in Lansing. She’s paying so much more for a bland apartment. And she loves my appliances. My whole family is jealous of my appliances.”
Brad Garmon is the managing editor of Capital Gains. Ericka Kahler is a freelance writer based in Lansing.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Andrea Ragan at Arbaugh in downtown Lansing
Motor Wheel lofts resident Steve Purchase rides to downtown locations
On the Grand Condominiums
Elizabeth Kerr in front of Prudden Place
Motor Wheel loft
Motor Wheel resident and building manager, Lauren McLennan
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie