By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Two years ago, George Washington University offered artist and entrepreneur Nick Stockton a chance at graduate work in photography. He declined. The Kendall College grad stayed in Grand Rapids to become one of the first residents in the live/work storefronts of the Martineau Apartments developed by Dwelling Place.
“It's such a great opportunity for an artist to be able to live and work in a space that's not an exorbitant amount of money,” says Stockton, 29. He pays $657 a month for 900-square-feet that includes living space and a storefront for his gallery, Fwd Space, at 120 S. Division.
Dwelling Place is a nonprofit real estate development company with a three-fold mission: provide affordable housing for low-income and homeless residents, help residents keep their housing, and spur neighborhood revitalization through residential and commercial development.
The agency recently expanded its offerings to include market rate housing and commercial space. While its primary focus is the Heartside neighborhood, it has 25 multi-residence properties in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Hesperia, Whitehall, and Rockford.
“Even in an affluent suburb like Rockford, there are families with very little money,” says Dennis Sturtevant, CEO.
Dwelling Place began in 1980 with a small staff. It has grown to 82 employees and is currently finishing construction on Verne Barry Place, which includes several live/work spaces for artists.
“Housing by itself is not the complete and whole solution," Sturtevant adds. "People need to live in quality neighborhoods. Our development activity is part of that mission, making sure people have what they need in their neighborhood including retail and services.”
Source: Nick Stockton, Fwd Space; Dennis Sturtevant, Dwelling Place
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Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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