Affordable Downtown Grand Rapids Condos

With GVSU, Davenport University, Cooley Law School,  and all of the other schools downtown I thought I would put together a list of affordable downtown condos under ~$160k. There are a few cool spaces within a few minutes walk to the downtown core and present a good opportunity to own instead of paying rent. First time buyers also benefit from a $7500 tax credit. These condos also offer a good investment opportunity.

Avenue 23 Condos at the corner of Fulton and College are 1 bedroom condos with a little over 500 sq/ft for under $80k. Association fees are ~$150/mo and these condos come complete with  bamboo floors, stainless appliances, granite countertops, cool lighting, patio, parking and LOCATION! Great price for the first time buyer.

47 Lafayette condos are located just north of Fulton on Lafayette in the Heritage Hill Historic district. These condos are “rare” 2 bedroom/1 bath condos for under $120k with ~750 sq/ft living space. They come with plenty of storage, washer/dryer hookups, appliances, cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors, off street parking (garages still available for purchase) and more. A common room is planned, a patio for grilling and secure main floor bicycle and/or moped storage. Units sold in white box condition for under 80k and ready for your creative touches.

Fox Lofts have changed their floor plans to include a few, more affordable, smaller spaces. These condos are located in prime location on Monroe Center just west of Ionia and are priced at $109k and $119k which gets you 1 bedroom, 1 bath and ~550 sq/ft. Association fee is small at $125/mo. These condos will have a cool urban style with original hardwood floors and exposed brick and feature stainless appliances, granite countertops and slate tile. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a few steps away as well as Rosa Parks Circle, shops, boutiques and more.

Hillmount condos in the Heritage Hill Historic District offer a great community with fitness center, large rooftop deck and a very generous standard package. Upgrades are available as is parking and secure entry. 2 bedrooms can be owned for under $160k with association dues in the $300/mo range. The Hillmount is located at the corner of College and Cherry and is about a 15-20 minute walk to the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.

The Brickway Residences are another development with a great location at 56 Monroe Center between Ionia and Division in the heart of Grand Rapids’ entertainment district. Trendy shops and boutiques, grocery store, museums and coffee shops are all a few minutes walk from the Brickway condos. The sidewalk out front is heated for convenience during the winter months. Parking must be purchased separately and will cost ~140/mo and the ramp is less than a minute’s walk from the building. Brickway Residences offer 1 bedroom spaces with ~800 sq/ft for under $160k. I’ve worked with this developer in the past for my clients and can definitely vouch for their creativity and passion for building unique downtown condos.

Boardwalk condos are a very cool community about 1 mile north of the downtown core located at 940 Monroe. This building is fully loaded with amenities including J.D Reardon’s, Endurance Fitness Center, salon, pool/hot tub, secure covered parking, tall ceilings with the original exposed wood beams, laundry hookups and more. Boardwalk condos have the added bonus of being right across the street from the Grand River which boasts great salmon fishing near the fish ladders. Monthly association  fees are $200 and up and 1 bedrooms with ~600 sq/ft can be purchased for $125k. Studios are also available.

Cherry St Lofts now occupy the old Dayton Apartment building at the corner of LeGrave and Cherry. These are 1-bedroom condos with over 900 sq/ft of living space and feature hardwood floors, fireplace and a nice rooftop deck with a hot tub and very large kitchen areas. The building itself is an appealing red brick exterior and boasts a great location close to St Mary’s and a few blocks from Cooley Law School and the center of town. Off street parking is available.

Fulton Flats are a new condo rehab downtown located at 460 Fulton St, a few minutes east of the downtown core. This recent conversion offer location and amenities found in much higher priced units including a generous standard package with Hardwood Floors, A/C, Balconies on select units, Washer/dryer hookups as well as a private entry and parking.

Peck Condos are located at 40 Monroe Center at the corner of Division in the same area as much higher priced condos. These condos offer 1 and 2 bedroom units with hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, tall ceilings and basement storage. You can own a 1 bedroom Peck condo for under $150k and association fees are a very reasonable $112/mo for 750 sq/ft. There are higher priced units in the building and each condo comes with a dual washer/dryer unit.

Hope you found this helpful. Make sure to visit my Grand Rapids real estate website to search the entire Grand Rapids and Lakeshore MLS and/or research your next move. We work with rentals and FSBO’s as well so we may know of some condos that won’t be listed on the MLS.