Crafted in harmony: construction and property management

At Rockford Construction, we work daily to improve processes, focus on safety and provide our clients with an experience they will not find anywhere else.

Our work is guided by years of experience, data and analytics gathered across hundreds of projects that span real estate development, construction and property management. All that information has helped us fully understand how those three aspects of our business work together — and how we can marry different roles, like construction and property management, to provide a truly unparalleled experience for our clients.

It’s a rarity in our industry for firms to offer both construction and property management services. But that unique business model allows us to build with the knowledge of how our clients and customers say they plan to use the building and space through a property management lens.

This holistic perspective also provides valuable opportunities to recommend cost-effective solutions with an eye on durability, design aesthetic and life cycle cost. We understand the constructability of certain products and materials and how they hold up in the long-run.

Traditionally with construction, when a project is completed, the relationship ends — until the next project begins. But in property management, our commitment is to provide high-quality service to our clients year-round, meaning our relationship continues long after the build.

As such, we can much more fully engage to understand a client’s experiences and meet their needs. Is an appliance out of place? Is there a light fixture they love and want to include in their next building? Are tenants and residents not just working or living in their building but fully engaging within the space? We respond to this feedback in real-time while also taking the information back to the drawing board for all future projects.

Every detail matters. Working together, we know why clients make the decisions they do, how spaces will look at the end of a build and how they will serve the needs of tenants and residents. We are continually learning, understanding the good and the bad, and gathering multiple perspectives to create an ideal space for use and ease of living.

This synergy between design, construction and property management also has proved vital as COVID-19 continues to impact our industry and our clients. Thanks to our unique approach, we were able to mobilize quickly, providing new safety measures and cleaning recommendations based on our knowledge of property management and building design.

We bring that same nimble approach to the office and the job site every day thanks to the depth and diversity of talent within our team.

With open lines of communication between our teams and our clients, we are making impactful changes in the design process on the front end to better serve those we work with. At Rockford, understanding the full life cycle of real estate development, construction and property management ensures a unique, world-class experience for our clients — no matter what the need.

Previous article Translators hired to help Asian businesses apply for Kent County COVID-19 funding
Next article Brewery Vivant, John Ball Zoo team up on beer to celebrate sustainability
As president of construction and with more than 20 years at Rockford Construction, Shane Napper has been instrumental in many of the company’s largest and most complex projects. He oversees all construction activity by reviewing contracts, resolving challenges that may arise, representing the company from both a sales and community role, and developing key trade contractor and client relationships.
As executive vice president of real estate development, Monica Steimle-App leads Rockford’s development and property management teams by establishing strategic initiatives, crafting models for business development, and championing marketing and communications efforts. She has established an incredible reputation for building community, fostering hospitality and actively serving the greater Grand Rapids area. Steimle-App is a leader in the community, serving with the Grand Rapids Housing Commission, Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and BOMA West Michigan.