For immediate release
Lesley Gottschalk
Marketing Director
PK Companies
1784 Hamilton Rd.
Okemos, MI 48864
lgottschalk@pkhousing.com
Mobile (517) 927-9795
Story photos available here
Former Sterling Heights hotel revamped into apartments, now open
Sterling Heights, MI –- November 8, 2023 –- If you have driven down Van Dyke Avenue or 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights over the past several months, you have probably noticed the large construction project at the former site of the Wyndham Garden Hotel. Local developers Repvblik and PK Companies have come together on another adaptive reuse project to revamp the former hotel into an apartment community named The Block at Sterling Heights. Repvblik specializes in the adaptive reuse of obsolete hospitality properties, repurposing them into multifamily apartments across the nation.
Phase One, which consists of 104 studios and one-bedrooms, was completed in October 2023. The transformation of each room included brand new flooring; black out window shades; modern light fixtures, larger closets, fresh paint, a new full kitchen with refrigerator, range, and microwave; and pre-wired wi-fi access points for easy internet connection at move-in. Residents will enjoy laundry on every floor, secure key card access, a fitness center, a large open recreation outdoor green space and pet area, and will soon be able to use the lobby, resident lounge, and dog washing station when complete later this year. Extensive landscaping of the grounds and repaving of the parking lot were also part of the redevelopment.
“We are thrilled to welcome our first residents to The Block at Sterling Heights,” said Chris Potterpin, VP of Development at PK Companies. “This project has undergone a hugely successful transformation, encompassing not only the 213 apartments and variety of amenity spaces, but the updates to the building’s facade and surrounding greenspace have really given the property new life in its next chapter. The property’s resurgence has generated a lot of excitement, and we’re eagerly looking forward to a successful lease-up.”
“We’re very excited to open The Block at Sterling Heights,” said Colin Hooper, Managing Director at Repvblik. “This project was a heavy renovation of the former Wyndham Garden. Sterling Heights needs more housing to meet demand, and this property plays a part in providing over 200 new residences. In the process, we’ve transformed a property that was going downhill, and it now looks the best it ever has.”
The developers recognized a need for housing in Macomb County. They worked with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to participate in the agency’s Missing Middle housing program which, according to MSHDA’s website, is “designed to address the general lack of attainable housing and the housing challenges underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the supply of housing stock to support the growth and economic mobility of employees by providing cost defrayment to developers investing in, constructing, or substantially rehabbing properties targeted to Missing Middle households.”
Income thresholds and limits are part of the Missing Middle program. At The Block at Sterling Heights, a single applicant must make between $39,780 and $79,560 gross annual income. Two applicants must make between $45,480 and $90,960. The previous year’s 1040 tax return is required as proof of income.
Studios are available from $875 a month and one-bedrooms from $975. Residents pay utilities as one convenient utility fee. There is a separate $47/month media fee for internet, router, and 24/7 tech support.
Phase Two is coming soon, with additional unit types and unique finishes. But before then, The Block at Sterling Heights is holding an open house on Friday the 10th, where visitors are welcome to tour the available apartment homes while enjoying a hot chocolate bar, raffles and more. More information can be found on the property’s Facebook page.
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About PK Companies – PK Companies are a family-owned group of real-estate companies based in Okemos, Michigan. PK began as a property management firm but has grown to include a construction company and development group. They currently represent communities in California, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Alabama, and Texas. PK is committed to creating partnerships that provide housing solutions to better fulfill the needs of our communities. They strive to add value to the areas we serve and enrich the lives of our residents. Through our comprehensive strategy, we purchase, develop, and manage properties that offer opportunities for creative housing solutions.
About Repvblik, LLC – Through the adaptive reuse of obsolete commercial real estate, Repvblik develops quality, amenity-rich workforce housing without the reliance on any low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). Repvblik’s target market consists of moderate- and middle-income populations that generally earn between 60% and 120% of a region’s Area Median Income (AMI). Repvblik is principally owned by PK Companies and shares a common principal in Chris Potterpin.