Health system breaks ground on physician living center

HealthReal Estate

Oct 23

Written By Staff

Corewell Health™ officially broke ground on the Karl and Patricia Betz Resident Physician Living Center on October 21. Located at 648 Ottawa Ave. in Grand Rapids, the housing complex will ease the housing burden for resident and fellow physicians, helping them feel supported as they begin their careers and encouraging them to stay and practice in Michigan. The Corewell Health Karl and Patricia Betz Resident Physician Living Center is expected to open in June 2027.

The new 118-unit, mixed-use housing complex—made possible in part by a lead gift from longtime Corewell Health philanthropists Karl and Patricia Betz—will offer studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with flexible short- and long-term living arrangements tailored to the varied schedules and financial needs of resident and fellow physicians in West Michigan. Designed to ease the personal and logistical burden of relocation, often with limited preparation time, the complex aims to create accessible, community-oriented housing. Additional amenities will include on-site parking, conference spaces, study areas, and commercial retail space.

“This leadership gift by Karl and Patti Betz will forever be linked to the growth of our physician workforce,” said Kelly Dyer, President, Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan, Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. “They recognized the importance of supporting our next generation of health care providers and attracting top physician talent to Michigan. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity.”

According to the Housing Needs Assessment, the real estate market in Grand Rapids and Kent County has become increasingly challenging to navigate due to a severe shortage of affordable and available homes and rental units. The city faces a projected gap of nearly 8,000 rental units by 2027, a 48.9% increase since 2020. Even market-rate rentals are operating at a 97.1% occupancy rate, above the 94%-96% range generally considered healthy in balanced markets.

“Residency is a critical phase of a physician’s career, and finding housing can add immense stress, especially for those unfamiliar with Grand Rapids or those relocating with families,” said Candace Smith-King, M.D., Vice Ppresident, Academic Affairs, Corewell Health in West Michigan. “By addressing one of the most immediate challenges for residents and fellows, we are creating a smoother, more supportive experience to pave the way for a physician’s lifelong career in Michigan.”

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