GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Property management firm Eenhoorn LLC has announced the creation of a new housing and social service hub called Carlton Lofts.
The project was done in partnership with Community Rebuilders.
Carlton Lofts is located at 1450 East Fulton Street at Carlton Avenue. The former Van Andel Pavilion at Fulton Manor has been transformed by Eenhoorn into a supportive living environment and will welcome its first residents in January 2025.
"Carlton Lofts will provide a nurturing space for up to 40 individuals, featuring micro apartments equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, and fully furnished living and sleeping quarters," Eenhorn and Community Rebuilders say in a joint news release.
Here are more details from that release:
The facility also includes two community dining areas, an exercise facility, a reading/community room, and computer labs converted from former nurses’ stations. The hallways are adorned with prints by Wassily Kandinsky, whose abstract paintings attempt to convey feelings and concepts that traditional representational art cannot capture. This intense focus on inner experience suggests a heightened sensitivity to emotional and psychological states, aligning with the supportive and healing environment Carlton Lofts aims to provide. The exterior features a mural by Ellen Rutt, designed to inspire hope and a sense of belonging.
Vera Beech, Executive Director of Community Rebuilders, stated, “Carlton Lofts reflects Eenhoorn’s and our dedication to fostering long-term stability and well-being for those in immediate need of housing. We commend our partners for supporting this innovative approach to provide stable housing for those unhoused.”
Paulus C. Heule, CEO of Eenhoorn LLC, emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, “It takes community collaboration to help tackle the complex issue of those unhoused and to address this critical community need. We believe it is important for us to support the mission of providing housing to our community’s most vulnerable through the work of Community Rebuilders.”
The initiative underscores Eenhoorn’s commitment to sustainability by revitalizing an existing structure, thereby minimizing environmental impact and disruption to the community.
Context: The Carlton Lofts project is a collaborative effort between Eenhoorn LLC and Community Rebuilders to address the pressing issue of homelessness in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By transforming the long-vacant Van Andel Pavilion at Fulton Manor into a hub for housing and social services, the initiative aims to provide a stable and supportive environment for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The project reflects a commitment to sustainability and community collaboration, leveraging the existing building's integrity to create a much-needed housing solution without resorting to demolition and new construction.
About Eenhoorn LLC: Founded in 1988, Eenhoorn LLC is a privately-held real estate investment and property management firm. The company owns and manages over 120 multi-family and commercial properties across the U.S. and Europe. Eenhoorn is recognized for its community spirit and workplace excellence, recently ranking fourth in the nationwide Best Places To Work in Multifamily, 2023.
About Community Rebuilders: For over three decades, Community Rebuilders has been a transformative force in West Michigan, pioneering solutions to overcome the challenges faced by the unhoused. By championing housing-focused approaches and addressing key Social Drivers of Health, they have catalyzed profound change, making the experience of being unhoused rare, brief, and one-time. Their evidence-based programs offer a lifeline to unhoused youth, individuals, families, and Veterans, steering them toward sustainable housing and renewed hope. For more information, visit www.Communityrebuilders.org.