A new apartment complex has opened on the property that once housed Wyndham Gardens and the Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center on bustling Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights.

The Block at Sterling Heights with 213 studio and one-bedroom apartments took its place along Van Dyke Avenue at 15 Mile Road. The opening follows a multi-million-dollar construction project to convert the former hotel into a brand new community that started in July 2022.

Officials with the Los Angeles-based developer Repvblik said the finished product showcases the southwest corner of 15 Mile and Van Dyke, which had become a distressed eyesore in recent years under its previous hotel operations.

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

“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.”

Officials said several months into construction, 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.

Residents at the Block can choose between six 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.

According to the developer, The Block offers modern amenities including a fitness center, recreational
green space, a laundry facility on every floor, secure mail room, resident lounge, and 24-hour emergency maintenance. Additional future amenities will likely include an outdoor dog park and bike parking.

The apartment community will provide a high-quality housing option in a central location, nearby to many
amenities locally and regionally. Those include M-Tec (Macomb Community College), Dana Corporation, Sterling Heights Assembly, GM Tech Center, and Walmart.

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,” Hooper said. “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.”

The Block will host an open house for prospective tenants on Feb. 10. More details will be posted on the property’s Instagram (@theblockatsterling) and Facebook page (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 theblockatsterlingheights.com or call 586-424-6041.