It took four years, and it almost fell apart several times, but Lakewood Place Apartment Village will be one of the region’s largest mixed-income housing developments when it is complete in 2026.
The 190-unit mixed-income development broke ground last month along Holland Township’s Lakewood Boulevard.
Led by Geerlings Development Company and KJK Real Estate Management, the $40 million project is supported with private capital matching public investment at a ratio of 2:1.
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Courtesy Geerlings Development Co.Led by Geerlings Development Company and KJK Real Estate Management, the $40 million project is supported with private capital matching public investment at a ratio of 2:1.
Mixed income
The development will feature a blend of affordable and market-rate apartments with 20% (44) of the units market rate, and the rest set aside for those making 50% to 70% of area median income (146), alongside 10,000 square feet of commercial space.
“Everyone lives together. No one is going to know who is what income,” says Scott Geerlings, president of Geerlings Development Company. “If I’m the 50% and you’re the 100% (of median income), no one is going to know who’s what, and that’s the beauty of the model.”
For a single-person household in Ottawa County, 50-70% AMI equals $34,900-$48,860 per year.
The project embodies the long-term vision of its developers, who have successfully navigated its challenges with strategic guidance from Housing Next, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring communities have sufficient housing across all price points.
Marathon
“I'm grateful to Scott Geerlings for having the perseverance to see this project through to construction,” Ryan Kilpatrick, lead consultant of Housing Next, wrote on his LinkedIN about the project. “There were many moments when it would have been easier to switch gears and just build market rate housing. But Scott and his team stuck to it and the entire community will be better off as a result.”
State and local officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating this key step in advancing housing opportunities in the region.
The project’s significance is underscored by the financial support from state and local agencies.
Several times, it seemed the project would fail. After navigating Holland Township’s site plan approval process, securing a payment in lieu of taxes agreement and working with Michigan State Housing Development Authority to obtain both tax credits and bond financing … it fell short of the financial goals.
Then came COVID, material shortages, and inflation.
However, with the newly established low-interest Ottawa County Revolving Loan Fund for income-restricted homes, developers were able to leverage a $10 million investment from the county into $33 million and bridge the gap.
“It was a marathon to get here,” says Geerlings.
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Courtesy Geerlings Development Co.Several state and local groups came together over the past four years to bring Lakewood Place Apartment Village to fruition.
Strategically located on nearly 24 acres at 275 E. Lakewood Blvd., Lakewood Place Apartment Village is just over 2 miles from downtown Holland and about 6 miles from Holland State Park. The development will feature bike paths that provide easy access to these areas, while nearby retail corridors further enhance convenience for residents.
“In 2019, Scott Geerlings read our Housing Needs Assessment and called me up. He simply asked, ‘How can I help?’ Kilpatrick recalls. “We talked about the needs of low and moderate income households in the Holland area and Scott said, ‘I think I might know a property that could work.’”
More than apartments
Lakewood Place Apartment Village is more than just a housing development; it’s a community-centered project designed to promote a lifestyle of connectivity and social engagement. Residents will have access to a variety of amenities, including a clubhouse, pickleball courts, a dog park, and garden spaces, all surrounding a communal square that encourages social gatherings.
“The architectural diversity of this project is truly special — each building is distinct, with high-quality finishes that seamlessly blend modern design with functionality. We’ve applied modern design standards to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Our goal was to optimize space through contemporary design and effective lighting, ensuring these apartments offer exceptional value without compromising on quality,” says Kevin Kammeraad, president of KJK Real Estate Management.
This one project does not solve West Michigan’s housing shortage. Thousands more affordable homes are still needed in the region, Kilpatrick says.
In collaboration with the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council and the Outdoor Discovery Center, the development will also feature enhanced community connectivity.
“We’re committed to making Lakewood Place Apartment Village not just a place to live, but a true asset to the community,” Geerlings added. “That’s why we’re planning to integrate a bike path that will connect residents to surrounding areas, enhancing mobility and outdoor recreation. Additionally, we’re considering donating a portion of the land to Holland Township to develop an active park, creating a shared space that everyone in the community can enjoy and benefit from.”