The Gallery

Gateway Investment Partners (GIP) was selected by the City of Grand Rapids to develop a key downtown parcel located at the convergence of Grand Rapid’s art, entertainment, cultural, and historic districts.

The design intent of the project was to orient it to the arts district as well as the office and restaurant areas in downtown Grand Rapids. The intent is to draw people to the commercial spaces by taking advantage of both of the site’s corner exposures and excellent location.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts purchased approximately 40,000 square feet and moved into a state-of-the-art facility including galleries, a film theater, ceramics studio, black box event space and a garden terrace. The balance of the retail space was designated for small retail shops.

The northwest corner of the site features the galleries of the cultural entertainment-based UICA program that, in addition to the Van Andel Arena and other neighboring entertainment venues, will direct pedestrian traffic through the site. The northeast corner is the entrance to the culturally based UICA. The two corners are linked by a two-tier pedestrian walkway and exhibition gallery designed to facilitate pedestrian access to the main galleries and theaters. This corner mirrors the layout of the neighboring buildings and complements the open space of the plaza adjacent to the Children’s Museum.

Across the street and to the west are two successful restaurants and entertainment venues which have helped create an entertainment/restaurant presence complementing the B.O.B. complex three blocks away. The project was completed in September 2010 with approximately 50% of the apartment units leased prior to opening. The apartment units have typically remained at 99-100% leased at rents that are the highest in the marketplace due to the quality of the apartments.