NEW BUFFALO, Mich. – The New Buffalo Planning Commission has approved the design and engineering plans for the new Light Harbor Preserve, a Gierczyk, Inc. property. This new development will feature a mixture of retail and residential units in downtown New Buffalo, combining six retail spaces with 41 residential condominium units. The new project abuts Whittaker Street between the Stray Dog restaurant and the Amtrak rail line in the heart of New Buffalo. All six retail units will be on the first floor of the three-story structure designated as building #1 by the site plans. Building #1 will also house the new development’s fitness center and indoor swimming pool. Residential condominium units will occupy the second and third floors of this building with the remaining two buildings dedicated entirely to residential units. The Planning Commission approved the plan during a special session on May 18, 2005 at the Town Hall in New Buffalo. The vote for the project was unanimous.
“As with all our projects, Light Harbor Preserve is designed to fit seamlessly into its environment: in this case, New Buffalo’s downtown, and marina district,” said Gary Gillings, project manager for Gierczyk, who presented at the meeting. “Our goal is to not only match, but enhance the downtown streetscape. The street level will house six retail units that will add roughly 7,000 square feet of retail space, helping anchor the existing downtown retail economy and attracting more attention to the downtown area.”
“We believe that the services and amenities offered by Light Harbor Preserve, as well as our nearby Fountain Square development, approved in April of this year, will draw businesses and residents alike to the heart of New Buffalo making our downtown even more our vibrant.”
The 41 residential units will be located on the upper levels of building #1 and all three levels of buildings #2 and #3. The units will be two or three bedroom condominiums ranging from 1,800 to 2,300 square feet. Each unit will be accessible by common access elevators. Parking for the new development will be located in the lower levels of buildings #2 and #3 and in a row of garage stalls bordering the western edge of the property.
Deluxe Recreation and Fitness Facilities Provided to Residents
Light Harbor Preserve will have fitness and recreational facilities. At this time, plans include an indoor recreation and fitness center with both indoor and outdoor pools. A landscaped patio area for relaxing and entertaining will surround the outdoor pool. Other proposed amenities include a bocce court and putting green. “We haven’t finalized our plans for the recreational facilities at Light Harbor Preserve,” stated Gillings. “There are still a lot of ideas up for discussion. Based on previous developments, the one thing I can tell you for certain is, these facilities will be nothing but first-class.”
Over the past 25 years, the steadily growing design-build firm of Gierczyk Development, Inc. has been responsible for more than one billion dollars of commercial, industrial, processing, commercial retail and residential projects in Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan. The more than 350 projects have included residential subdivisions, golf course communities, shopping centers, medical facilities and auto dealerships.
For more information about Fountain Square, or any of Gierczyk Light Harbor Realty’s developments,
write 139 N. Whittaker St., New Buffalo, MI 49117;
fax 269-469-7294; call 269-469-6424, or visit www.lightharborrealty.com.
Light Harbor Preserve Development
Who: Gierczyk Developers, Inc.
What: Light Harbor Preserve Development
Where: Bordered by Whittaker, Water, and Thompson Street’s with Amtrak to the south in New Buffalo, MI.
When: Approved by New Buffalo Planning Commission on May 18, 2005. Groundbreaking, Summer 2005.
Why: The development will combine retail & residential space to concurrently enhance New Buffalo’s retail atmosphere while filling the growing demand for luxurious downtown residences.
Development Features
• 6 retail spaces totaling roughly 7,000 sq. feet
• 41 residential units
• 2-3 bedroom condos ranging from 1,800 - 2,300 sq. feet
• Common access elevators to all units
• Convenient, indoor parking
• Pricing: $356,000* retail, $463,000 - $700,000* residential
*prices subject to change at developers discretion.
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