East Hills-Cherry Hill Moving Guide
Tommy Allen
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
With new investment pouring into rejuvenated business districts, historically significant housing stock, and a passionate civic spirit, the East Hills-Cherry Hill district is rapidly emerging as one of the more desirable areas to live in metro Grand Rapids.
The community is recognized for its racial diversity, artistic creativity, and convenient location close to the cultural center of downtown. What’s more, the area also offers its own wide variety of restaurants, entertainment, and residential space. And it’s all priced relatively affordably.
“One of the advantages for those who choose East Hills as their home is not only to be centrally located to downtown,” says realtor Vince Salerno, “but the ability to get into the neighborhood at a low price and gain proximity to essential services within walking distance.”
The district defined
The district is actually made up of seven neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and character. They include:
- Wealthy Heights (south of Cherry, north of Wealthy, east of Diamond, west of Fuller)
- Fairmount Square (south of Cherry, north from Wealthy, east from Eastern, west of Diamond)
- Cherry Hill (north from Wealthy, south from Cherry, east of Union, west of Eastern).
- Fitch Corners (Union, Fulton, Eastern, Cherry)
- Diamond Gate (Diamond, Fulton, Fuller, Lake)
- Congress Park (Eastern, Fulton, Diamond, Cherry)
- Orchard Hill (Diamond, Lake, Fuller, Fairmount)
The area contains three of the city’s five designated historic neighborhoods – Cherry Hill, Fairmount Square, and Wealthy Street. The recent historic designations essentially triggered a full scale economic and cultural revival in the East Hills-Cherry Hill district. The honors also have driven heightened interest in community involvement, as well as dramatic increases in property and resale values.
This is especially true in Cherry Hill, which is located immediately adjacent to the prized real estate of the Heritage Hill district, one of the nation’s largest urban historic districts. Cherry Hill received historic designation in the early 1990s, and that has helped attract new investment to once-forgotten homes and storefronts. Cherry Hill’s success also is propelling similar, spillover changes in nearby Fairmount Square and Diamond Gate.
“People want to be close to the business districts and, as a result, we are seeing homebuyers begin to snatch up properties at a fast rate,” Salero says.
An affordable, convenient place to live
Not too long ago, a handful of disinterested slumlords controlled much of the property throughout East Hills and Cherry Hill. But dedicated property owners and local activists pushed to rebuild quality housing opportunities as well as restore the traditional urban character and neighborhood pride. Today, the influence of absentee landlords is waning and the neighborhood is experiencing an influx of new residents and rising rates of home ownership.
The area is quickly becoming a choice place to live for students and young professionals who seek the feel of a neighborhood within walking distance of the city center. Diane Griffin, a realtor with Keller Williams, said that buying a home in Cherry Hill is a good investment for prospective homeowners.
“Most folks are looking for turn key homes that can be secured for $100,000 to $250,000.” Griffin says. “But fixer-uppers can still be had for under $90,000.”
Older homes in need of repair sell for as little as $64,000 in up and coming neighborhoods such as Diamond Gate. Affordable rental opportunities exist, too. Maci Little recently leased an apartment in Cherry Hill. Little says the price was a big factor in her decision to move to the area. She was able to rent a one-bedroom apartment for $495 per month, utilities included.
“I looked at several properties in Heritage Hill,” Little says. “But the costs were out of reach for my budget. Cherry Hill offers many of the amenities I was looking for and I can walk to those places I wish to visit instead of driving.”
New housing confirms growing popularity
The preservation and restoration of historic homes and buildings kicked off the renaissance of the East Hills-Cherry Hill area. But the construction of new condos and businesses continues to fuel revitalization efforts and keep the upward momentum going. A unique project at 920 Cherry Street blends the best of both movements.
Developers recently broke ground on an ambitious project to refurbish the DA Blodgett Building, originally built in 1908, and construct dozens of new homes and businesses. The project will transform a vacant and basically abandoned city block into a hub for new residential and commercial activity.
The centerpiece of the project is a $6 million renovation of the historic DA Blodgett Building, which has sent empty since the mid 1970’s. The restoration will include a reconstruction of the building’s distinctive Italian-style portico, Corinthian corner columns, and a public garden.
But the project also involves the construction of some 30 new town homes and the addition of some 8,000 square feet of commercial space in the neighborhood. Townhouses will range in price from $155,000 to $210,000.
The project already is attracting attention as the next hot spot in an increasingly popular part of town. “Excitement is growing,” says Anne Van Huisen, a development assistant with Second Story Properties. “People already are calling, we’ve already started taking reservation, and we have yet to produce our sales materials.
The project is a joint venture of some Grand Rapids’ leading urban redevelopment firms. In addition to Second Story Properties, partners include Bazzani Associates, Rockford Construction and the Inner City Christian Federation. The idea that the East Hills-Cherry Hill district now attracts the attention and investment from such locally respected firms crystallizes the area’s status as one of the city’s newest hot spots.
Places to learn
Families considering a home in the East Hills-Cherry Hill will find several schools in the area. Grand Rapids Public Schools manage Congress Elementary and Henry Padia Academy, which offers classes through eighth grade. Older students typically attend Central High School in the nearby Heritage Hill district.
The entire public Montessouri program will relocate to Central High, located at 421 Fountain, in the fall of 2006. Gateway Middle High, a charter school, also is located at 311 State Street.
Grand Rapids Public Schools offers bus service for elementary students. But high school students generally receive vouchers to ride the city bus system.
A place built for walking
East Hills is evolving into one of Grand Rapids’ more pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. With more than 150 individual businesses residing in its boundaries, most of the districts shops and restaurants are easily accessible by foot. Whether residents seek a quick cup of coffee, fresh corn from the farmers’ market, a novelty gift, or a meal, it is all just a short walk from the front porch.
Long-time resident Dotti Clune, who lives in Fairmont Square, makes regular trips to her favorite coffee shop Global Infusion because, she says, “they make the best Chai in town.” Clune has watched the neighborhood change dramatically in the past five years. What she sees today is a vibrant and increasingly healthy urban scene.
“It is simply a terrific walking neighborhood,” Clune says. “As a result of the neighborhood’s new stability, the restaurant and shops have popped up to serve the needs of this growing community.”
Films, brew, and festivals
The Wealthy Street Theatre is one of the more unique cultural gems in East Hills. Originally built in 1911, the theatre for decades served as the epicenter of the neighborhood. In the 1920’s people came by foot and car to see Charlie Chaplin and Frederico Fellini films. Reopened in 1998 as a community arts center, the theatre hosts musical and film events, with a strong emphasis on documentary programs.
The Pickwick Tavern is another favorite gathering spot for locals. The Pick, as the locals call it, was established in 1947 and stands today as the city’s second oldest pub. This “no frills” public house is the area’s prime spot for a chilled Whitbread draft beer and neighborly conversation.
Throughout the year, East Hills also hosts a number of community-oriented events, including a Bastille Day Party in Cherry Park, an annual open house in one of the city’s oldest fire stations, and the famous Ribs, Beer, and Blues festival, which blends local music and good eats from the neighborhoods numerous barbeque joints.
“The East Hills area continues to grow,” says K.C. Caliendo, a member of the East Hills Council of Neighbors. “If people are looking to secure a home or business in the neighborhood I strongly encourage them to stop by the neighborhood association office to see which of the many unique areas are a good fit.”
For more information about East Hills-Cherry Hill visit the:
- Visiting Guide
- Investing Guide
Directions to East Hills-Cherry Hill
From the North:
Take US-131 South and merge onto I-196 via Exit 86A on the left toward Lansing. Continue to Exit 78 College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn Left onto Fulton St E and then turn slight right onto Lake Drive SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the East:
Take I-96 West toward Downtown Grand Rapids and take Exit 79 for Fuller Ave. Turn left onto Fuller Ave NE and then right onto Michigan St NE. Turn left onto Diamond Ave NE and arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the South:
Take US-131 North toward Grand Rapids and take Exit 84B for I-131-BR toward Downtown. Turn left onto Ionia Ave SW, then right onto Fulton ST E. Turn slight right onto Lake Dr SE and arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
From the West:
Take I-96 East toward Grand Rapids and merge onto US-131 South via Exit 31A toward Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo. Continue and merge onto I-196 via Exit 86A on the Left toward Lansing. Take Exit 78 for College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn left onto Fulton St E and then slight right onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.
Take I-196 East toward Grand Rapids. Continue to Exit 78 for College Ave and turn right onto College Ave NE. Turn left onto Fulton St E and then slight right onto Lake Dr SE. Arrive in East Hills-Cherry Hill.