Enclave housing complex to hold grand opening

Students will have a recreation center by the new housing for students, Enclave apartments, soon after construction has concluded. Photo taken on Jan 14 in Allendale, MI.

Kasey Garvelink

Students will have a recreation center by the new housing for students, Enclave apartments, soon after construction has concluded. Photo taken on Jan 14 in Allendale, MI.

Jordan Schulte

Grand Valley State University students looking for a new housing option will soon find one on the north side of Lake Michigan Drive. A 275-bed complex called The Enclave has finally completed construction and will be holding a grand opening at 10 a.m. on Jan. 22, offering food, tours and an eight-foot Plinko board where attendees can win prizes.

The Enclave, located at 4926 Becker Dr. behind Main St. Pub, is now leasing cottages and townhomes for the fall 2016 semester. Rent begins at $599 per month and utilities are a flat $29 per month.

“We’re centrally located by all the area restaurants, such as Peppino’s, local stores and Murphy’s,” said Tiberlene McPeak, The Enclave’s property manager. “It’s very convenient for someone who wants to live in a community but be within walking distance of area businesses.”

Each unit is fully furnished and includes hardwood floors, granite countertops and a walk-in closet. The complex also features a gym, tanning and a pool, among other amenities.

“We definitely want to treat Grand Valley students,” McPeak said. “We have great grand opening specials. We are on the verge of really seeing the community come alive.”

Certain units will be available at $100 less than the usual rent. Prizes such as an Apple Watch, Playstation 4 and one year of rent-free living will also be available at the grand opening. McPeak said they’ve focused on making The Enclave part of the GVSU community leading up to their grand opening.

“We do support organizations and groups,” she said. “We provide free facilities and do a lot of sponsorships for groups that have to fulfill a philanthropy goal. We’re very supportive to the school and the student body.”

That effort to become part of the community has helped The Enclave find at least one new resident. Freshman Nick Kapusta said he met the managers of The Enclave at a bone marrow drive on campus.

“They sponsor a lot of the events on campus and try to get involved with groups, so I meet them every time I go to something on campus,” he said.

That, along with a discount for referring friends, led Kapusta to sign a lease with The Enclave for the next academic year.

“I love the people that work there,” he said. “They’re a lot of fun to talk to, they’re really relatable.”

Construction on The Enclave began in summer 2015. McPeak said the units are expected to be finished by spring, with additional construction planned once phase one is complete.