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Belknap Lookout

Belknap Lookout

Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kent County 49503

$259,534 Average Value
$257 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

Named for the 1884 mayor of Grand Rapids, Charles E. Belknap, Belknap Lookout is a mix of single-fam

Named for the 1884 mayor of Grand Rapids, Charles E. Belknap, Belknap Lookout is a mix of single-family homes from the late 1800s and renovated factory condo units on the northern side of Grand Rapids. Belknap Lookout has “a blend of historic homes with cobblestone streets, offering a distinct aesthetic compared to some newer condo developments, like Belknap Bluffs,” says Eric Finnigan, a Partner at Grand Rapids based MOXIE Real Estate + Development. Eric was involved in the development of the 36-unit luxury condo development, Belknap Bluffs Condominiums on Fairview Ave. Belknap Park hosts Michigan’s annual Breakaway Music Festival, while Canal Park and Sixth Street Park have several trails and events right on the Grand River. Several little shops and restaurants line Monroe Avenue, such as Fido & Stitch pet salon or Field & Fire Cafe. Students in Belknap Lookout attend schools within the Grand Rapids Public Schools district, which is graded an overall C-plus on Niche. Maintaining their original cobblestone design from the 1800s, North Avenue and Trowbridge Street are local historic landmarks.

Belknap Lookout is a mix of single-family homes from the late 1800s and renovated factories.
Belknap Lookout is a mix of single-family homes from the late 1800s and renovated factories.
Houses showcasing unique character decorate the streets of Belknap Lookout.
Houses showcasing unique character decorate the streets of Belknap Lookout.
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Trendy shops and restaurants on Monroe Avenue

SpeakEZ Lounge is a popular weekend brunch spot and a weekday bar scene with pub food and live music. The owners are avid supporters of the Grand Rapids Football Club, attracting a wide variety of soccer fans. Field & Fire Cafe is a great spot to bring a laptop and sample house roasted coffee and freshly made breakfasts, sandwiches, power bowls and soups. City Built Brewing Company has a wide selection of craft beer, while BrickYard Tavern serves classic burgers, fries and craft cocktails. Noodlepig on Trowbridge Street offers up a variety of ramen bowls, as well as sandwiches, boba tea and cocktails. For groceries, residents can hop across the river via Michigan Street or 6th Street to go to Bridge Street Market, created by the Meijer company to bring fresh produce, flowers and pantry items into city spaces.

Folks at Belknap Lookout's SpeakEZ Lounge are avid supporters of the Grand Rapids Football Club.
Folks at Belknap Lookout's SpeakEZ Lounge are avid supporters of the Grand Rapids Football Club.
Field & Fire Cafe in Belknap Lookout has house roasted coffee and freshly made breakfasts.
Field & Fire Cafe in Belknap Lookout has house roasted coffee and freshly made breakfasts.
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Belknap Park and the Breakaway Music Festival

Belknap Lookout is a busy location for year-round celebrations and community events, such as the Breakaway Music Festival, a massive Midwest event where attendees dance and express themselves with unique costumes and chalk art designs. The Upheaval Festival shakes things up with live rock music for two days in July. The most famous Grand Rapids event is ArtPrize, which features dozens of art pieces in a city-wide, month-long competition in September. “ArtPrize is a major highlight! Every year, it transforms the city into a giant open-air art museum, attracting international artists and sparking creative energy throughout the community,” Finnigan says. “I’m always impressed with how many people I meet during ArtPrize that come in from out of state to visit… everyone loves GR!” Belknap Lookout residents can walk around town to find paintings, murals, sculptures and statement pieces all over the city and vote for their favorite artists.

Historic homes and high-rise Grand Rapids condos

A mix of high-rise condos in renovated historic Grand Rapids factories have views of the Grand River in Belknap Lookout. “These conversions create a unique aesthetic that blends the charm of historic architecture with modern amenities,” Finnigan says. “Living in a renovated factory allows you to connect with Grand Rapids' rich furniture-making history. Imagine the stories within those walls!” Condo units in building communities like Monroe Terrace, Landmark Lofts Condos and Boardwalk Condominium can cost between $280,000 and $480,000. Single-family investment properties consist of homes from around the 1870s that have fallen into disrepair, costing between $75,000 and $150,000. Established homes from the 1890s in stick house styles with asymmetrical front porches and tall windows cost between $200,000 and $400,000. Craftsman bungalows from the early 1900s with columned front porches and attic dormer windows can cost between $250,000 and $350,000.

Many Belknap Lookout houses exude a timeless charm.
Many Belknap Lookout houses exude a timeless charm.
Belknap Lookout has several high-rise condo developments.
Belknap Lookout has several high-rise condo developments.
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Climb the Stairs on Division or wander riverside parks

Lookout Park, Coit Park and Belknap Park come together to create a huge green space in the middle of the neighborhood. Visitors can see for miles around from the top of Lookout Park. “Everyone knows Belknap for the ever-popular Lookout Park with its defining feature being its location sitting on a 160-foot-tall bluff overlooking beautiful Downtown Grand Rapids,” Finnigan says. “This park and the homes and condos along the bluff offers scenic views, with the sunsets being a very popular time to visit.” There are 20 pickleball courts at Belknap Park, where locals can challenge each other to a friendly game. They can watch an ice hockey game or go ice skating at Griff’s Icehouse nearby. The Stairs on Division near Coit Park is a piece of Grand Rapids history, as well as a quirky hiking trail that residents like to climb. Sixth Street Park and Canal Park offer views of the Grand River and occasional events and festivals on the colorfully designed blacktop by the 555 Monroe skate park.

The Stairs on Division is a piece of Grand Rapids history located in Belknap Lookout.
The Stairs on Division is a piece of Grand Rapids history located in Belknap Lookout.
555 Monroe skate park has a scenic view of the Grand River in Belknap Lookout.
555 Monroe skate park has a scenic view of the Grand River in Belknap Lookout.
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Crossing the Grand River and commutes on I-96

Belknap Lookout residents can cross the Grand River to get to the west side of the city via 6th Street or Michigan Street. They can hop on Interstate 96 from Ottawa Avenue and head west toward Holland and Lake Michigan, or east toward the Gerald R. Ford International Airport about 13 miles away. Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile” is a long stretch on Michigan Street, less than a mile south, with several teaching hospitals and clinics such as the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the Spectrum Butterworth Hospital emergency room. Locals can get around town via the Rapid city bus system.

Walk across the bridge found at Sixth Street Park in Belknap Lookout.
Walk across the bridge found at Sixth Street Park in Belknap Lookout.
Take in the stunning skyline of Belknap Lookout in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Take in the stunning skyline of Belknap Lookout in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Grand Rapids Public Schools’ programs and achievements

Depending on their address, students in Belknap Lookout may attend one of three elementary schools. The Coit Creative Arts Academy, graded a C, supports kindergarten through fifth grade with an emphasis on creative expression, dance, music and visual arts. Kent Hills Elementary School graded a C-minus, offers a recently updated playground as well as extracurriculars like choir and band. East Leonard Elementary School, also graded a C, has about 11 students for every teacher creating a desirable, personalized environment. For sixth through eighth grade, Riverside Middle School is graded a C-minus, while Union High School is graded a C.

Coit Creative Arts Academy is an authorized Baccalaureate World School.
Coit Creative Arts Academy is an authorized Baccalaureate World School.
Union High School has a total population of around 1,200 students.
Union High School has a total population of around 1,200 students.
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Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Jonathan Fairfield
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Myles Manuel
Video By
Myles Manuel

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Eric Frontiera, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

23 min drive

Bus

Canal Park (Ccw)

Bus

Lafayette & Trowbridge (Sb)

Bus

Riverwalk North (Cw)

Bus

Lafayette & Cedar (Sb)

Bus

Lafayette & Creston Plaza (Sb)

Bus

College & Bradford (Sb)

Bus

North Monroe (Cw)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Belknap Lookout US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$251,500
Median Single Family Price
$247,612
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$340,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$254,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$257
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Last 12 months Home Sales
100
Months of Supply
1.20
Median List Price
$289,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-9%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
569
Median Year Built
2017
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,217
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,132
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
857
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,344

Open Houses

  • Monday, Apr 28
    3 - 5pm

    940 Monroe Ave NW Unit 461, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

    $724,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,113 Sq Ft
    • 940 Monroe Ave NW
    • Unit 461

    INCREDIBLE RARE OPPORTUNITY! This luxurious double-unit condo is the finest Boardwalk has to offer with grand spaces and sweeping views of the Grand River and Canal Park from every room! Highlights include a new chef's kitchen, perfect for entertaining, overlooking the expansive living and dining areas; spacious primary en suite with oversized closet and private bath; exposed brick walls; wood

    Beth Loehfelm Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Eric Frontiera, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,514
Median Age
32
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.8%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$65,706
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,277

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.4%
College Graduates
50.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.9%
% Population in Labor Force
77.6%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
46''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

66 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

64 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

47 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Belknap Lookout
Eric Frontiera
Brookstone Realtors LLC
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