$215M Real Estate Developments Proposed in Lansing
Downtown Lansing’s skyline is on the cusp of change.
Gentilozzi Real Estate, a family-owned real estate development firm in Lansing, in partnership with family-owned Detroit real estate developer and manager JFK Investment Co., unveiled New Vision Lansing, a trio of new and redeveloped downtown Lansing development projects designed to set Lansing’s course toward becoming a dynamic residential city.
New Vision Lansing will include three property developments west of the Grand River in proximity to state government and legislative offices: Capitol Tower at the corner of Capital Avenue and Ottawa Street, Tower on Grand at Grand Avenue overlooking the Grand River and connecting to the existing historic Atrium Building that fronts Washington Square, and Washington Square at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Washington Square at the southwest corner of the roundabout.
“Our family is proud to be part of Lansing’s history, and these new developments are vital toward making Lansing the place to be for future generations,” said Paul Gentilozzi, owner of Gentilozzi Real Estate and principal of New Vision Lansing. “Whether you want to live, work, dine, entertain or simply share in the iconic views of Lansing, these developments will have something for everyone to enjoy.”
Part of the financing for the redevelopment and ground-up projects is provided through a state-budget-approved $40 million investment that will be dedicated to workforce and talent housing through New Vision Lansing.
“It’s time to invent downtown Lansing’s future, and the New Vision Lansing initiative is the game changer that is needed,” said Michigan House Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township. “These projects will set Lansing on a bright new path where people are eager to live and work downtown and connect with one another to create a downtown neighborhood, a community, a city. This year’s state budget provided an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Capital Caucus members to put Lansing first, and I am proud that we came through for our city at this time.”
The three developments will be located in downtown Lansing with views of the Capitol and Grand River.
“Lansing needs workforce housing, and this incredible investment will bring hundreds of new residents to our downtown,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. ”More people living downtown means more vibrancy through walkable traffic, especially nights and weekends.”
A sense of urgency exists among leaders for getting Lansing’s downtown competing for residents and business development in the same way Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Marquette and the tri-cities have done.
“On behalf of the City Council, we are excited to learn more about these projects that could change the face of the downtown area. Paul Gentilozzi has reached out to individual council members and discussed this exciting project. As council, we look forward to more information as this moves forward in the coming days and weeks before our body,” said Lansing City Council President Carol Wood.
Schor concluded that these projects will change Lansing’s skyline and boost Lansing as the economic hub for mid-Michigan.
“With this project on a fast timeline, and with everything else coming downtown and throughout the city in the next few months and years, we are showing that Lansing’s time truly is now,” he said.
Father-and-sons team Paul, John and Tony Gentilozzi share a long history of high-impact developments in downtown Lansing with JFK Investment Co.
“These projects will bring a new type of living to Lansing. True downtown core apartments, with styles for every taste, will offer a compelling argument to attract new residents and offer those that have lived nearby a new reason to come back downtown. We believe Lansing is ready for a new way to live and work,” said John Gentilozzi, vice president of development for Gentilozzi Real Estate.
New Vision Lansing construction partners include the Christman Co.; architects Hobbs & Black; and local tradespeople, including UA Local 333 Lansing.
Tower on Grand
Straddling Grand Avenue from the riverfront to Washington Square, Tower on Grand will raise Lansing’s skyline with record-breaking height. At more than 300,000 square feet, the 25-story building will offer 300 units of market and workforce housing and feature riverfront restaurants and retail, as well as a unique one-acre green rooftop amenity and resident-gathering deck with views extending to and beyond the Michigan State University campus and surrounds.
Capitol Tower
With its curved and glassy face within a few steps to the state Capitol and state government complex centers, Capitol Tower is slated to rise at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Ottawa Street. It will offer 48,000 square feet of premium office space that has already been pre-leased. Additionally, it will harbor approximately 70 market rate and workforce apartments and feature parking for 110 vehicles, a rooftop deck and conferencing center for office tenants.
Washington Square
Yielding a historic structure with all the modern features of modern living, Washington Square will renovate a cornerstone of Lansing’s history – a 100-year historic office building that once housed the Michigan Court of Appeals. Upon completion, the new Washington Square will add 55,000 square feet of 70 workforce housing units prominently positioned overlooking the city’s main intersection, immediately east of the executive office of the governor and less than a block from Michigan’s Capitol.
