GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A transformation is underway inside the Fifth Third Building in downtown Grand Rapids, where seven floors of offices that sat vacant for years are being turned into 140 sleek, upscale apartments set to open in June 2026.

The man behind the project, Sam Cummings, managing partner at CWD Real Estate Investment, likened it to “building the plane while it’s flying.”

Construction workers have had to demolish each of the seven floors — yanking out carpeting, glass walls, kitchens and bathrooms — and build the apartments without disturbing the Fifth Third employees and others who work at 111 Lyon St. NW.

“Keeping the dust levels down, the noise levels down, protecting the tenants while they’re actually working the building — it’s a lot to manage,” said Jeff Smigielski, vic

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