Urban Real Estate Development Firm Launches Digital Brand

    GRAND RAPIDS, MI, September 06, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With the impending completion of redevelopment on 1 & 7 Ionia and another property closing in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, soon to be announced, urban real estate development firm 616 Development is establishing its brand in the digital space. The company's new website, 616Development.com, offers detailed insights into the company's founding, its core members, key development projects and its unique approach to urban development. Alongside engagement in prominent social networks, the website lays the foundation for the brand's voice in both digital and non-digital arenas.

The launch of 616 Development's site is timely for the urban development company, which will be completing development of 1 & 7 Ionia Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids in late fall 2012. The redeveloped building will house a new Grand Rapids Brewing Company, along with 20 residential units and several commercial tenants. 616 Development recently closed on another historic property in downtown Grand Rapids; details on this project will be announced this Monday, September 10th.

616 Development takes a unique approach to urban development projects, making sure development caters to the needs of local resident and business communities through on-the-ground research, digital networking and working closely with city planners. Management of developed properties is handled by geo-specific Lofts communities, such as Grand Rapids' 616 Lofts apartments. This model is an integral part of urban "place making", a philosophical approach more and more communities have been using to revitalize struggling urban centers.

To owner and founder Derek Coppess, 616 Development's website is a foundational piece of the company's brand. "Our story - how our development model, our tribe and 616 as a company came to be - has always been extremely important to us. Our commitment to integrity and community is what drives us, both individually and as a company, so we wanted to make sure people understood very clearly what we're all about. The website encapsulates everything that's important about us as a development firm: our tribe, our approach and, of course, our credibility."

The new website and the brand's engagement in Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and an urban development blog not only serve to communicate the brand's message; they also serve as critical tools for market research. "The needs of the community drive every project we undertake," Coppess continued, "and connecting with local voices through new media is a big part of how we come to understand those needs."

About the Company

616 Development is a boutique urban real estate development firm based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company's unique model for urban development focuses on re-developing - or "upcycling" - unused real estate to meet the needs of underserved urban markets with modern loft-style apartments, commercial and retail spaces. 616 Development has acquired close to $30 million in development funding in the Grand Rapids area and is currently exploring development opportunities in other underserved urban communities across the country. Integrity and fostering community are the guiding principles behind 616's development projects.

Website: http://616development.com

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