Derek Coppess

Derek Coppess is a first-generation entrepreneur, having grown up in a household full of educators and mentors. Derek was the son of two teachers and one of his parents taught architectural drafting, and he would often help his father with the construction of spec houses. When he left home to go to William & Mary College to play football, he would participate in the creation of ten houses, which was a significant part of his future. During his time at William & Mary, Derek was greatly influenced by the architecture that was around him. Colonial Williamsburg provided him with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the market and its history.

After college, Derek studied the ins and outs of the real estate industry before establishing his own firm. Derek was introduced to passive real estate investing by a property owner. Through this process, he was able to build and maintain a long-term buy-and-hold portfolio. He was not affected by the short-term fluctuations that other investors might experience.

His specialty lies in multifamily real estate development and upcycling urban areas as a source of evolution, rejuvenation, and a sense of community. When the housing crisis began in 2008, Derek went in the opposite direction of his competitors. Seeking ways to revitalize downtown Grand Rapids, Derek scouted areas to develop, funded the design of his brand, and selected a small team of experts to carry out his vision. The result was a $100 million portfolio within five years.

Derek Coppess started The Coppess Group by buying small investment properties, such as single-family houses and duplexes, and then selling them to out- of-state investors. This strategy allowed him to raise private capital and quickly flip over 200 units during his early 20s. With a strong background in real estate and a taste for success, Derek knew he was in the right place to take his business to the next level.

As a property management firm, Derek handled the financial and maintenance needs of 616 developments. However, his company's primary goal was to create a community that would allow people to work, play, and enjoy the recreational activities that were available in 616 lofts. In 2017, he partnered with a national real estate management company to focus on property development.