The renovation of Lincolnshire Village, a 45-year-old residential co-op development in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will transform the 185-unit property into a more attractive, comfortable and energy-efficient community.
PGP Management, which manages the complex, commissioned the property’s $3 million renovation to enhance its appeal to current and prospective co-op members. Lincolnshire’s desirable location in close proximity to Western Michigan University makes it a popular, affordable option for area families and singles. The property includes 2- and 3-bedroom townhouses and a limited number of flats.
Fundamental to the transformation is the replacement of the current mansard roof design – which features a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof and inset windows – with a more contemporary and appealing design aesthetic.
One of the Linconshire Village buildings prior to the renovation.
“We are taking the mansard roof shingles and structure off, and squaring up the angled walls so the buildings don’t look as much like a barn,” says Kevin Hunter, President and Owner of Windows, Doors & More, of Fort Wayne, Ind. “We’re also assembling and installing heavy-gauge commercial metal roofing panels, and using spray foam to insulate them from the outside in.”
Combined with the installation of R-11 batt insulation, the process will increase the insulation value within the wall cavities from R-4 to R-16, which should be particularly noticeable by residents during Michigan’s frigid winters. Removing the mansard roofs will also address the ongoing safety concerns from built-up ice and snow that gather on those sloped surfaces.
Foundry staggered shake siding is being installed to the second-floor façade of each building to further enhance the property’s appearance while complementing the red brick at the bottom of each building. Mimicking the appearance of natural cedar shakes, the rustic brown vinyl siding requires minimal maintenance and no painting or staining.
“The Foundry shake siding is a weathered shake so it looks like it’s been up for years,” Hunter says. “It adds a lot of luster and dimensional appeal to what was a pretty drab-looking building. It makes it look a bit like a cottage and gives it a very warm, welcoming look. It’s just gorgeous.”
The renovation also includes the installation of energy-efficient vinyl windows with low-E glass and vinyl shutters on the building façades.
A crew of up to 40 people at a time are working onsite to coordinate the construction activities so the entire renovation project can be completed by November, before the cold weather descends on Kalamazoo again. And because the Great Lakes region is known for its unpredictable weather year-round, Hunter says the crew is very careful about scheduling roof work.
“We follow the weather patterns carefully, and we have a lot of tarps on hand,” he says.
Ultimately, the renovation will enhance the property’s appeal for current and future co-op members.
“PGP Management wants to provide a better quality of life for members while securing the building’s future for many years to come,” Hunter says. “It will be quite the transformation.”
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