The Eastbrook Why

Episode 1: Eastbrook Homes Through the Years

Founded in 1967, Eastbrook Homes has been working for decades to make the American Dream of home ownership a reality for homebuyers. As Eastbrook CEO Mick McGraw says, building homes that are able to meet the ever-changing needs of West Michigan homeowners has been a value embedded in Eastbrook’s culture from the very beginning. From the early days of building apartments, to a focus on two-story, single-family homes, to today’s emphasis on a unique, personalized homebuilding experience, Eastbrook has adapted our priorities based on feedback from our customers.

More than building homes, Eastbrook is committed to creating communities that feel like a welcoming breath of fresh air. From the landscaping to the amenities, finding a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle is just as much a part of the Eastbrook experience as building your dream home. Driven by that value, the Eastbrook Cares Initiative is part of our vision for the future, working alongside community organizations to make home ownership accessible for families and individuals across West Michigan! Follow along as we explore the history of Eastbrook Homes and our dedication to building for local communities, working to make our customers’ dream homes into a reality!

Episode 2: Honoring Legacy and Building Community

With deep roots in West Michigan going back nearly 60 years, Eastbrook Homes has always been dedicated to engaging the communities we build for. Nowhere is that better exemplified than Salmon’s View, a future Eastbrook community that seeks to honor the legacy of the Salmon family who once called this area home. Having owned the property since 1847, when the Salmons decided to sell the land that previously housed their farm, they wanted a partner who could carry on their legacy of family, community, and appreciation of Michigan’s natural landscape. For them, that meant working with Eastbrook Homes.

After spending time getting to know the Salmons and their story, studying the environmental features of the land, and working with local municipalities, Eastbrook developed a plan that maintained a connection to the many generations that had been cultivating community in the area for nearly 200 years. In partnership with Outdoor Discovery Center, Eastbrook aims to make Salmon’s View a community that protects and restores the local environment through lumber recycling and the inclusion of a naturescape playground, all while ensuring families have a safe and welcoming place to call home. Tune in next month to learn more about how Eastbrook Homes cultivates community connections as we help our customers build their dream home!

Episode 3: Celebrating Individuality

After 22 years of designing homes for Eastbrook Homes, Jim Stortz, Director of Architecture, stepped away to pursue ministry and later continued his career designing homes in Oregon and Delaware. Today, he’s excited to be back at Eastbrook, bringing creative ideas, inspiration, and passion for homebuilding. His coast-to-coast experience has helped him understand what people want and need in their homes today, and he’s excited to bring this uniqueness into his work. There’s more of an emphasis on personalization today than there ever has been before. Jim loves creating space for people to take his designs and really make them their own. Seeing what they come up with helps him understand how the world is changing and informs his future designs. 

Some of the personalizations Jim has seen trending are very telling about how people have evolved. In some ways, people are embracing traditional designs and layouts, favoring closed off kitchens over a fully open concept and incorporating more natural stained elements instead of the super modern white and gray backdrops we’ve seen. However, with that, Jim also acknowledges the decline of the formal dining room and need for more of a flex space or bonus bedroom instead. With Eastbrook Homes, buyers are encouraged to get creative with the designs, truly celebrating their individuality. You can personalize many different ways during the building process, making it easy to bring the home of your dreams to life. Whether those dreams include a cathedral or coffered ceiling, built-in beams or a jewel of a shower, it’s all possible with Eastbrook. 

Interested in learning more about Eastbrook Homes? With over 50 years of experience and 12,000 homes built in more than 100 communities, we know how to help prospective homebuyers personalize one of our many home plans to create a home that’s uniquely theirs. Download our free Interactive Home Building Guide and connect with our team of experts to start the journey towards building your dream home today!