Samaritas
Wood Window Replication | Wood Door Restoration | Steel Window Restoration
Historical Background
The Samaritas Building at 600 Burton Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was originally built as a Seminary for the Diocese of Grand Rapids and educated high school and college-age boys. The Seminary was started in 1906 and grew to over 100 students when the main building was completed in 1920. The architectural style is Late Gothic Revival and was designed by the architecture firm Spier & Gehrke, Humbrecht & Associates. The building is three stories sitting on a raised basement level. The base of the building is field stone with red brick above, limestone sills and wood hung and projecting windows. The building was occupied by the Seminary until 1981, and held Diocese offices until it was sold in 2008. Samaritas, a senior health care and independent living provider, bought the building in 2018 and started planning for its re-development. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
BlackBerry's Role
- Provided Historic Window Site Review to the architect to assist in the Federal Tax Credit approval, as well as preliminary design and budget pricing.
- Supplied and installed over 400 historically replicated windows matching original profiles and dimensions. The windows were the Quaker H503 Single Hung Series and the H600 Fixed Series, thermally broken aluminum windows with custom panning, sills, and mullion components.
- Restoration of steel windows in the chapel as well as full restoration of the front entrance and vestibule wood doors and sidelights.
Current Use
The total renovation of the building resulted in a state-of-the-art senior residential apartment and living facility. It’s made up of apartments, chapel, and activities space. The property includes 59 apartments; residents must be 55 or older and this is a HUD subsidized property.
Project Team
- Samaritas Affordable Living Grand Rapids Limited Dividend Housing Association
- Architect: Schneider Smith Architects
- Construction Manager: Pinnacle Construction Group
- Completed 2020