Ed Wright January 23, 2024

Originally Published: Social House News
Client: The Block

The recently-opened The Block is an apartment community that offers 213 studio and one-bedroom apartments, and is the end result of a major transformation of an old eyesore hotel and restaurant at 34911 Van Dyke Ave.

The Block at Sterling Heights, a stunning new apartment community located at 34911 Van Dyke Ave. in Sterling Heights, has officially opened its doors.

This transformative adaptive reuse project, which was previously the Wyndham Gardens Sterling Heights hotel, features 213 expertly designed studio and one-bedroom apartments with modern amenities.

The multi-million-dollar construction project to convert the former hotel into modern rental housing began in July 2022.

Several months into construction, the developer, Repvblik, made a pivotal decision to demolish a sprawling section of the building, which used to contain the Loon River Café and Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center, to free up more than three acres of street-facing land for future development.

The re-envisioned development not only modernizes and beautifies the streetscape, which under the previous hotel operation had become an eyesore in recent years, but also increases and improves the housing options for Sterling Heights residents.

Reasonably-priced housing

“The Block at Sterling Heights is in response to a shortage of housing in Michigan in general, and especially reasonably priced housing,” said Colin Hooper, Managing Director of Repvblik.

“This project was a heavy undertaking, but it was worthwhile since it simultaneously fixed a problem property and created sorely-needed housing. It really is a significant improvement to the area.”

Residents of The Block can choose between six distinct studio and one-bedroom floor plans, ranging between 315 and 825 square feet.

Each residence is equipped with stainless-steel appliances, vinyl plank flooring, and window coverings.

Rents for most apartments range from $795 to $1,300 per month, with large loft apartments renting for $1,500 per month.

The Block at Sterling Heights offers a host of amenities including a fitness center, recreational green space, a laundry facility on every floor, secure mail room, resident lounge, and 24-hour emergency maintenance.

Dog park coming

Additional future amenities will likely include an outdoor dog park and bike parking.

This community will provide a high-quality housing option in a central location, nearby to many amenities locally and regionally.

Additionally, being situated near key businesses and schools such as M-Tec (Macomb Community College), Dana Corporation, Sterling Heights Assembly, GM Tech Center, and Walmart, The Block provides residents with easy access to major employment centers, retail, restaurants and colleges, and is walking distance from the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill.

A significant number of the apartments will be reserved for those making between 60%-120% of the median area income.

“The Block has apartments for all income levels. However, many people in the middle-income brackets can’t find housing at all.

“They can afford it, but they can’t find it because there’s not enough of it. If this describes you, we can help. Come check us out.” added Hooper.

Open house planned

The Block will host an open house for prospective tenants on February 10. More details will be posted on the property’s Instagram (@theblockatsterling) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheBlockatSterlingHeights) in the coming weeks.

The Block, which is managed by PK Housing and Management, has both studios and one- bedrooms available for immediate occupancy.

For more information or to contact the leasing team, visit https://www.theblockatsterlingheights.com or call 586-424-6041.