Built in 1917 as a church, this five-story brick building is an iconic property in Old Town Lansing. After nearly a decade of sitting vacant and blighted, Michigan Community Capital purchased the building in 2019.In 2020, construction started on the Temple building which, through adaptive re-use, was reimagined from a two-story building into a five-story, 37,000 -square-foot, mixed-use property. The completely renovated building offers 31 residential mixed-income units, and 4,000 square feet of commercial and office space on the first floor. 16 of the 31 apartments are rent restricted to 80% AMI. As a middle income focused, non-profit developer, Michigan Community Capital restricts at least 51% of all residential units developed for middle-income renters. The $10.5 million rehabilitation revitalized a key entryway into Lansing's historic arts and culture district while increasing safety, walkability, housing, and commercial activity of the corridor. The project maintains the historic fabric of the neighborhood by preserving the original brick structure. 30-foot columns and arched window pattern. The project utilized public-private partnerships to fill the financing gap including a low-interest loan from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, an equity investment from the Michigan Economic Development Corportation, and Brownfield Tax Increment Financing from the Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment authority. The project has been celebrated by the Old Town Commerical Association and received the Celebration of Regional Growth Award from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2023. Temple Lofts was also named a finalist for the Urban Land Insitute's America's Awards for Excellence in 2024.
