Steepleview Apartments is a new construction, urban infill development consisting of
two four-story residential buildings designed to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing
within a constrained and environmentally challenged site. The project required
demolition of existing structures and comprehensive environmental remediation prior to
construction, as the site was previously occupied by a former laundromat with
contaminated soils. Close coordination with environmental consultants and regulatory
agencies was required to develop and implement an approved clean-up strategy that
satisfied both state and federal requirements.

The development is comprised of two distinct buildings. The 501 Eastern building is a
four-story, 33-unit structure that functions as the primary amenity and service hub for the
community. The ground floor includes a lobby and resident lounge, a property
management office with conference room, exercise room, children’s play room, and a
community room that supports gatherings and programming. The main level also
incorporates two live-work units and a two-bedroom apartment, activating the street
edge and providing flexible residential and small-scale commercial opportunities.

The companion building at 525 Eastern is a four-story, 32-unit structure designed to
complement the program and scale of the primary building. Its ground floor includes a
lobby area, four live-work units, and a two-bedroom apartment, further reinforcing the
mixed-use character of the development. Across both buildings, the project provides a
mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, accommodating a wide range of household
sizes and needs.

Steepleview Apartments was developed as a Michigan State Housing Development
Authority (MSHDA) 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project with the
utilization of HUD 221(d)(4) financing. This layered financing structure required
adherence to both MSHDA and HUD review and approval processes, including detailed
plan reviews, environmental compliance documentation, cost evaluations, and
construction oversight. The integration of these requirements added significant technical
rigor and coordination to the project delivery.

Site improvements include construction of a new parking lot designed to serve both
buildings and the creation of an exterior courtyard located between the structures. The
courtyard provides a shared outdoor amenity that enhances resident interaction, visual
connectivity, and overall site livability.

The project achieved LEED Silver certification, incorporating energy-efficient building
systems, durable materials, water-efficient fixtures, and strategies to improve indoor
environmental quality. Steepleview Apartments demonstrates how complex urban sites
can be successfully transformed into sustainable, amenity-rich housing through careful
planning, regulatory coordination, and thoughtful design.