Porter Apartments sits on Townsend Street in downtown Lansing, right near Michigan's Capitol building, and folks might recognize the place as an old hotel from back in 1918, but now the building's been fixed up into a three-story senior community with 98 units, thanks to a big renovation in 2023. The grounds have landscaping and the common areas look cared for, so people tend to feel welcome when they visit or move in. Residents find spacious floor plans, private balconies or patios, and modern kitchen appliances, plus in-unit laundry. There's covered parking, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse where people can gather, and they made sure to include a business center with Wi-Fi so folks who need to get email or pay bills online can do it right there. Porter Apartments is pet-friendly, so folks can keep their small animals with them.
The building's historic, so regular upkeep is always happening, and it's had its share of maintenance challenges with things like pests, laundry equipment breaking down, and doors that needed fixing, but the folks at KMG Prestige handle pest control, laundry replacement, and make repairs as needed. Management runs inspections and takes care of health and safety issues, and although the property's had some violations in the past-like complaints about rodents, bedbugs, and mold-there haven't been major code violations since February except for a trash citation, and city and HUD inspectors keep coming through to check things out. The recent renovation put a lot of focus on making the place safer and more comfortable, with new HVAC, elevators, accessible features, and new facades as part of a $9.3 million update that pays special attention to making the building last longer.
The apartments offer comfort and convenience for residents who want affordable housing in a historic setting, and there are memory care services for folks with Alzheimer's or dementia, along with assisted living options for people who need help with bathing, dressing, or daily tasks. Residents have laundry services, prepared meals once or twice a day, housekeeping, and general healthcare support available if needed. The atmosphere feels friendly, and there are amenities like a community room, outdoor seating spaces, and regular social, educational, and entertainment programs, so neighbors tend to see each other around and take part in activities together. Families and friends can visit and even share meals with residents in the dining area. Porter Apartments works hard to provide a safe and dignified place for seniors, keeping rent affordable through a federal housing voucher system, which means seniors who qualify can get help paying for their home in a location that's right downtown and close to so much in Lansing.
