Cool Spaces: Rooftop patio, fitness center make Marketplace Apartments Phase II stand out

LANSING — Half of the units overlook the Grand River, the others overlook the Cooley Law School Stadium.

From the colorful, rooftop patio, views of downtown Lansing abound.

The $11 million second phase of Gillespie Group’s Marketplace, Marketplace Apartments Phase II, are now open.

The five-story, 68,784 square-foot, riverfront building already has more than 50 of its 79 urban flats leased.

Marketplace's first phase was built in 2014, and with Phase II now open, it brings the total number of flats to 158 on the four-acre riverfront property.

The complex includes a mix of micro, one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats.

Comfy couches, chairs, a TV and replicated tree stumps that function as tables invite folks into the lobby. Across the way, water, coffee and treats welcome new residents to the building.

"Marketplace Phase II is attracting a lot of people that have never lived in Lansing, which is exciting," said Gillespie Group President Pat Gillespie. "They’re coming from the suburbs, DeWitt, Okemos, Grand Ledge, people from out-of-state that are taking jobs here.

"I think downtown is starting to become more of the norm. People want to be down there for the activities. A lot of people think it's just the Gen Xr's there, but we're getting some empty nesters, we're getting a good range of folks, so it's nice."

Amenities open to all residents include a dog washing station, fitness center and a rooftop patio overlooking the river.

Kitchens boast stainless steel appliances — refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and each unit has its own washer and dryer.

All of the first floor units on the river trail side have walk-out patios.

While spacious apartment living will never go out of style, micro-units are definitely sweeping the nation, and Marketplace Phase II has 15 of the units.

Micro-units are small apartments that often include a small living/bedroom area, a small bathroom and a kitchenette. The micro-units at Marketplace Phase II are all 405 square feet.

Some of them have queen-sized Murphy beds, which can be folded out from the wall and folded back in later, maximizing space. Others do not, to allow for those residents who want to bring their own bed, or who may prefer a smaller size bed.

The units have convection ovens instead of a traditional oven, but there is a dishwasher, and the washer and dryer.

A first floor fitness center has treadmills, a bike, dumbbells and weights, an eliptical machine and more. It's open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This is the first of the Gillespie properties in Lansing to have a fitness center.

The rooftop patio has one wall covered in different shades of orange, while another is different shades of green.

Couches, chairs, chaise lounges and tables make it a cozy afternoon or evening gathering spot.

The rooftop patio is open to residents now, and residents from Phase II and from Phase I have already been up there. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"You see the city from the ground view for so long and you see the tall buildings, but to get on any one of these rooftops of any of these buildings, you see it from a different view," said Ashley Brzezinski, marketing manager for the Gillespie Group. "It’s pretty cool."

A bar/lounge, with a restaurant, located directly off the lobby, which will also be open to the public, will open in mid-April and will soon boast a riverfront patio accessible from the river trail.

The bar will serve small plates, charcuterie boards, salads, brews, wines and cocktails.

"The outdoor patio, looking at it from the river, when people are at the restaurant, people out there in the morning having coffee or dinner, it’s going to add a whole new energy," Gillespie said. "I think that’s what I’m most excited about. The energy it’s going to add to the river front."

Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 or vdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickkiD.

Marketplace Phase II

313 N. Cedar St., Lansing; (517) 333-4123

Amenities: Dog washing station, rooftop patio, fitness center

Rents: Range from $875 to $1,750

www.gillespie-group.com