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Heritage Hill

Heritage Hill

$559,923 Average Value
$252 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Living in history in Heritage Hill

Buying a home in Heritage Hill means investing in a piece of history. Built in the late 1800s for the city’s elite, Heritage Hill is Grand Rapids ’ oldest established neighborhood. Today, this protected national historic district blends its high-end past with a modern sense of community. The neighborhood is home to a diverse mix of residents, including student renters, professors, young families and retirees. Pride flags hang from Victorian latticework, and kids' toys clutter steps that have seen over 100 years of use. These standout homes come with some of the highest price tags in all of Grand Rapids, but rental units and condos offer more affordable alternatives. Just minutes from Downtown Grand Rapids, Heritage Hill is iconic for its standout architecture, strong community and walkable location.

Colorful Queen Anne and nearby American Foursquare homes on College Avenue.
Colorful Queen Anne and nearby American Foursquare homes on College Avenue.
Foster Park is a small city green space wedged between State Street and Cherry Street.
Foster Park is a small city green space wedged between State Street and Cherry Street.
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One-of-a-kind homes make Heritage Hill shine

Heritage Hill’s one-of-a-kind homes have housed lumber barons, movie stars and former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. Frank Lloyd Wright built two properties here, and some houses have such a long past that they have become stops on the Grand Rapids ghost tour. The neighborhood is known for its unique architecture, including pastel-colored Cape Cods, vintage Craftsman Foursquares, elaborate Queen Annes and half-timbered Tudor Revivals. “It’s legitimately like a Hallmark movie every day when I walk out of my door,” says Sarah DeRooy, a Realtor with City2Shore and neighborhood resident. “You just don’t get that with new construction…it feels like I get to live in art.” Prices for a home typically range from the mid-$300,000s to $800,000, depending on size and renovations, though some of the largest properties go for upwards of $1 million.

Large front porches are not an uncommon sight amongst the historic homes of Heritage Hill.
Large front porches are not an uncommon sight amongst the historic homes of Heritage Hill.
A stone-embellished Queen Anne home is just one example of the architectural variety on offer.
A stone-embellished Queen Anne home is just one example of the architectural variety on offer.
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Condo and rental alternatives encourage a diverse population

It is common for larger Heritage Hill homes to be split up into several units and rented out. With Grand Rapids Community College to the north and Trinity Hospital to the west, the rental market is especially popular with college and medical students. “If you rent, the barrier is not too high to live here,” DeRooy says.

In an effort to encourage more housing in Grand Rapids, adding rental units to a historic home is allowed with city approval. A few newer condo buildings from the mid-1900s also offer an affordable option for getting into the neighborhood. Multi-family units typically range from the low $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s.

Colorful Victorian-style homes are common on the streets of Heritage Hill.
Colorful Victorian-style homes are common on the streets of Heritage Hill.
Grand Rapids Community College DeVos Campus, Michigan's oldest community college.
Grand Rapids Community College DeVos Campus, Michigan's oldest community college.
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Maintenance and restrictions in a historic district

Heritage Hill is a registered historic district, meaning all home exteriors must adhere to period-accurate regulations. Restoring century-old homes without modernizing them can be a costly task. “A negative about the Hill is that it is very expensive to maintain a home here,” says Bryan Cody, the president of the Heritage Hill Association and Realtor with Cody & Co. He estimates he spent around $30,000 in renovations and restorations on his property in the last year alone. Some of the home details, like stained glass windows or hand-carved wood finishes, would be nearly impossible to recreate today if they were damaged.

Foster Park is a small green space with a statue commemorating the Spanish-American War at its center.
Foster Park is a small green space with a statue commemorating the Spanish-American War at its center.
Heritage Hill is very close to the active downtown heart of Grand Rapids.
Heritage Hill is very close to the active downtown heart of Grand Rapids.
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Community events are planned by the Heritage Hill Association

The Heritage Hill Association plans holiday gatherings and weekly walking tours. Locals swap tips on historic restoration best practices at the monthly happy hours and take turns hosting their neighbors for regular dinner parties. “The reason for the HHA isn't so much to govern what the neighbors can and cannot do,” Cody says. “It's more to get people involved and let their voices be heard. We tell people who have just moved here to call us if they need anything, and we introduce them to their neighbors.” The association's annual Heritage Hill Home Tour, which invites visitors to view the inside of homes, draws thousands from all over the country. “This is not a place that you move to be by yourself because I don’t think that’s even possible,” Cody says. “You move here to be involved. Loving these homes is something we all have in common.”

The Trinity Health Hospital borders the edge of Heritage Hill.
The Trinity Health Hospital borders the edge of Heritage Hill.
Grand Rapids Community College's DeVos Campus is located in the neighborhood.
Grand Rapids Community College's DeVos Campus is located in the neighborhood.
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Street parking is limited

Homes in Heritage Hill typically come with back-alley parking spots — but not all of them. For those who don’t have designated parking or plan on having guests come visit, parking can be a struggle. College students, hospital workers, and anyone trying to visit downtown Grand Rapids will often look for free spots on Heritage Hill streets. It’s even tougher to snag a spot from November to April, when odd/even parking blocks off half of the street for snow plowing. There are currently no designated residential parking areas.

Heritage Hill is within walking distance of busy city life of downtown Grand Rapids.
Heritage Hill is within walking distance of busy city life of downtown Grand Rapids.
Martha's Vineyard Fine Wine & Grocery is a popular stop for upscale groceries.
Martha's Vineyard Fine Wine & Grocery is a popular stop for upscale groceries.
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A mile from downtown Grand Rapids

Downtown Grand Rapids is about a mile away, with several designated bike lanes and The Rapid bus lines connecting to the heart of the city. "One of the major draws to Heritage Hill is the proximity to the city center without being in the middle of everything. You can walk there to see a show or eat at one of the hottest restaurants and then go back to your quiet neighborhood with hundred-year-old trees," says Ashley Schaefer, a Realtor with Hello Homes GR who has been selling in the area for 13 years. Neighborhood resident Connor Anderson, a Realtor with MOXIE Real Estate + Development, adds: “It’s also a surprisingly quiet area given how close it is to downtown.”

Grand Rapids Montessori Academy serves kindergarten through 12th grade.
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy serves kindergarten through 12th grade.
Innovation Central High School is over 100 years old, but has undergone recent renovations.
Innovation Central High School is over 100 years old, but has undergone recent renovations.
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Several amenities are within walking distance

Although there’s no large local grocery store, some shopping and dining options are within walking distance, including:

  • The Commons is a centrally located, retro dive bar with creative cocktails.
  • Nantucket Bakery has been ranked as one of the best bakeries in Grand Rapids.
  • Art of the Table has weekly wine-tasting events and a beer cooler that is over 100 years old.
  • Martha’s Vineyard Fine Wine & Gourmet Grocery is a gourmet grocer that specializes in wine and offers an extensive deli.

The World of Winter exhibits range from small to very large scale all around Grand Rapids.
The World of Winter exhibits range from small to very large scale all around Grand Rapids.
Noodle Fest during the Winter Fest at Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids.
Noodle Fest during the Winter Fest at Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids.
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Catherine Lashley
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Tyler Bolduc
Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
Scott Wiggins
Video By
Scott Wiggins

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Gerald R Ford International

23 min drive

Bus

Lyon & Oakley (Wb)

Bus

Wealthy & Lafayette (Wb)

Bus

Wealthy & Madison (Eb)

Bus

Fulton & Barclay (Eb)

Bus

College & Lyon (Sb)

Bus

College & Fountain (Sb)

Bus

Fulton & College (Eb)

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
376
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1949
Months of Supply
0.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,136
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,572
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
980
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
635
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
20
Median Rent
$1,600
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,500
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,665
Median Condo Rent
$1,450
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,495

Demographics

Total Population
4,336
Median Age
33
Population Density
17 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.4%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,216
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$74,566

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.9%
College Graduates
61.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.2%
% Population in Labor Force
76.3%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Very walkable

Walkability®

80 / 100

Some public transit

Transit®

50 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Heritage Hill