Union Square

Living in a converted century-old high school sounds quirky until you experience it firsthand — then it becomes the only way you want to live downtown. Union Square takes what could have been just another condo building and turns it into something completely unique, with soaring 12-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls, original hardwood floors, and those massive classroom windows that flood your space with light. You'll find yourself showing off details like the old blackboards still mounted on walls and explaining to friends how your "penthouse" is actually where the school's upper floors used to be. The building sits perfectly positioned on the west side, just blocks from Bridge Street's restaurant corridor, so you can walk to dinner at any of the 64 restaurants within a mile and still feel like you're coming home to something special, not just another downtown apartment.

The rooftop pool and hot tub aren't just amenities here — they're your summer living room, with city views that remind you why you chose urban living in the first place. Between the fitness center, clubhouse, and those private courtyards and decks that come with many units, you've got options for every mood. Some units come with the holy grail of downtown living: your own garage space, which locals will tell you is worth its weight in gold during a Grand Rapids winter. The building's mix of one-bedroom lofts and sprawling three-story penthouses means your neighbors range from young professionals just starting out to empty nesters who want to be in the thick of things without the maintenance headaches.

This is urban living for people who want the full downtown experience but with actual character and space to breathe. If you're the type who wants to walk to Madcap Coffee in the morning, hit up breweries on Bridge Street after work, and still come home to 16-foot ceilings and original architectural details, Union Square delivers. The area is served by Grand Rapids Public Schools, and with Fish Ladder Park practically next door, you've got both city energy and river access when you need to decompress.