DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[LMich]

The Davenport it's looking great. It's been a long time coming. I'm glad to see them keeping much of the historic detail of the structure.

Speaking of all of the redevelopments, I'd be interested to see housing and/or residential construction permit data for the City of Detroit, and compare it to previous years. I imagine the numbers are still relatively small, and demolition numbers will most likely outpace them for quite a few years. But I'd definitely like to see what kind of baseline we're at.

[animatedmartian]

The Davenport it's looking great. It's been a long time coming. I'm glad to see them keeping much of the historic detail of the structure.

Speaking of all of the redevelopments, I'd be interested to see housing and/or residential construction permit data for the City of Detroit, and compare it to previous years. I imagine the numbers are still relatively small, and demolition numbers will most likely outpace them for quite a few years. But I'd definitely like to see what kind of baseline we're at.

According to SEMCOG (http://www.semcog.org/data/apps/permits.cfm): Total new units

2004: 923
2005: 1,051
2006: 698
2007: 654
2008: 516
2009: 118
2010: 616
2011: 922
2012: 404
2013: 314
2014*: 83

*possibly as of March.

Demoltions, yea. The city is averaging between 1,000 and 3,000 units a year. Though what's interesting about that is that it was higher in previous decades. Probably because it was mostly multifamily buildings then.

[EuphoricOctopus]

$12.2M federal grant to help complete Detroit's M-1 rail project along Woodward

DAVID SHEPARDSON THE DETROIT NEWS

Detroit’s $136 million Woodward Avenue light rail project won $12.2 million in additional federal funding Tuesday — a major milestone that will help complete the effort.

The award represents the last major piece of financing for the M-1 Rail, although some lesser donations and tax breaks have yet to be buttoned up.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140909/METRO01/309090091/-12-2M-federal-grant-help-complete-Detroit-s-M-1-rail-project-along-Woodward

[LMich]

According to SEMCOG (http://www.semcog.org/data/apps/permits.cfm): Total new units

2004: 923
2005: 1,051
2006: 698
2007: 654
2008: 516
2009: 118
2010: 616
2011: 922
2012: 404
2013: 314
2014*: 83

*possibly as of March.

Hmmm. Kind of disappointed. Short of the total collapse in 2009, which was the height of the recession, there is no discernable pattern, and really no sign that anything is really picking up. Are multi-family structures counted as a single permit (either construction or demolition)? Even the demo permits don't have much of a discernable pattern, and this is despite all of this fanfare in the past few years about all of this federal money coming in for demos and a system to handle them.

Of course, residential and demo permits are only part of the story. There are plenty of vacant units which were on the market which have been filled in the past few years which wouldn't show up in this kind of data. This data shows renovated and new construction, I imagine, in addition to the vacant stuff that hadn't been on the market in years that was demoed.

[animatedmartian]

The only noticeable pattern is in SFH permits. Those particular numbers rise and fall with the recessions.

Multifamily units are pretty stable and only seem to fall during recessions but never really get too high during expansions.

I'm pretty sure multifamily structures are counted based on the number of units within the structure. For instance, 1983 and 1984 had around 1300 multifamily units issued each year which coincides with construction of the Detroit City Apartments, Riverfront Towers, and the Millender Center (they were completed a few years later).

Keep in mind, attached-condos are considered separate from multifamily units though Detroit never really got a high number of those either.

[LMich]

As much as I complain, next year will see some large increasees with DuCharme Place, Orleans Landing, Statler City, whatever starts construction at the Red Wings arena, etc...it'll probably be up there with 2011. This year is kind of the quiet before the storm, a staging year for all the projects to come.

[animatedmartian]

Exactly. I don't know what happened to the economy in 2013. It seems like it just crapped out almost going into a recession, but now suddenly in 2014 it's breaking records. Whatever, as long as it isn't another recession.

I'd also be pretty sure that before 2015 that Gilbert will finally start building (or just announce) the residential he seems to keep hinting at. Or at least I hope so. I'm also quite surprised he hasn't bought anymore property in a while. What's it been, like 2 months since his last purchase? Lol.

[LMich]

He has been unusually quite as of late. The Ilitches kind of sped back into the drivers seat for the year. It seems as if development is moving out of the core north and east, lately. Though, Karp is still very much on the move in Capitol Park.

[animatedmartian]

In an interesting turn of events during the bankruptcy, Detroit struck a deal with holdout creditor Syncora that included credits towards the purchase of any city-owned property within 3-miles of the Detroit/Windsor tunnel. Syncora would be required to develop the property they purchase within 18 months after purchase. Syncora has specifically stated that they want waterfront property and there's quite a few options there.

One of the sites includes Joe Louis Arena. Though the JLA won't likely be demolished until 2016-2017 so chances are Syncora my buy something a bit sonner than that, but nothing it set in stone as of yet so it's possible.

This also makes it possible that Detroit bankruptcy will end within the month which is all good. But after the bankruptcy, the Syncora name might be around for a while.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140911/NEWS01/309110056/Detroit-bankruptcy-Syncora-FGIC

[LMich]

I really think they are going to get the Ford Auditorium site. That'd make an awesome spot for a residential tower right next to the RenCen. You'd have to go fairly tall to maximize profits given the location.

But, regardless of the piece of land they get, with the millions they already make off the tunnel, and the money they'll now be making from the Grand Circus Park garage, this is a company with the wherewithal to get something major financed whenever this actually comes up.

[EuphoricOctopus]

I really don't feel good about the deal with Syncora because they seem like a shady company that's just out to make a quick buck. You are giving them important key real estate and hope they build something great on it.

[LMich]

Years ago, I'd have been skpetical of a deal like this. But, the city is in bankruptcy and we're dealing with something where they (Syncora) are legally bound to comply. If this (relatively) small price is what it takes to get them off the city's back, and we get new development out of it, so be it. The city certainly hasn't been proactive about redevelopment of its riverfront land. Thank god for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and private developers or Detroit would have nothing on the riverfront.

I guess what I'm saying is that this isn't Kwame making a backroom deal with some shell company.

[EuphoricOctopus]

I don't know... They were ready to auction off the art in the DIA, so I don't really think you are going to get much development from them. I know the city wants to go through this as fast as possible, but you also need to be cautious of the long term effects.

This isn't a done deal either:

Syncora won’t agree to settle with Detroit unless the banks release the insurer from its responsibility to cover the banks’ losses on an $85-million deal brokered in the spring to eliminate a costly swaps deal reached by Kwame Kilpatrick’s administration to secure a steady interest rate on a $1.4-billion debt.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140909/NEWS05/309090200

[animatedmartian]

I don't know... They were ready to auction off the art in the DIA, so I don't really think you are going to get much development from them. I know the city wants to go through this as fast as possible, but you also need to be cautious of the long term effects.


The worse that could happen is that they never actually use the credits to build anything and simply profit from the revenue from the other assets the city gave them.

[skyfan]

Growing Meridian Health needs 60% more space in new Detroit HQ


The proposed size of the new Meridian Health Plan building in downtown Detroit has increased by more than 60 percent.

According to sources, the Detroit-based company needs up to 200,000 square feet more than the 320,000 square feet originally planned.

Increasing the building size is a result of faster than expected employee growth at Meridian, which has office space in One Kennedy Square and the Dan Gilbert-owned building at 1001 Woodward Ave.


With the revised plans for up to 520,000 square feet, the building would be 26 stories and likely cost more than $180 million.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140911/NEWS/140919952/growing-meridian-health-needs-60-more-space-in-new-detroit-hq

Wow!!! I can't wait to see the rendering for this thing.

[LMich]

EDIT: It seems Crain's has since retracted the story. I wonder what's going on?

[hudkina]

It seems the source for the article wasn't particularly reliable...;)

[animatedmartian]

I'm more upset that the whole project ended up being cancel, but then I'm not surprised either since it was rumored to be. Still, it would have been nice to see a parking lot developed.

[detroit_alive]

I'm more upset that the whole project ended up being cancel, but then I'm not surprised either since it was rumored to be. Still, it would have been nice to see a parking lot developed.

I agree it is bittersweet. However at least they are staying downtown and expanding in existing office space, which should help downtown occupancies. Also the rendering the had previously shown was absolutely hideous. That location deserves much better than what they were proposing.

[LMich]

More Detroit Medical Center expansion:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20140914/NEWS/309149982/AR/0/AR-309149982.jpg&MaxW=620&v=201405231302
Courtesy of Detroit Medical Center

Children's Hospital's new tower to focus more on critical care (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140914/NEWS/309149982/childrens-hospitals-new-tower-to-focus-more-on-critical-care)

By Jay Greene | Crain's Detroit Business

September 14, 2014

The new DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan patient tower — planned to begin construction in March and open at the end of 2016, with the entire project completed by 2017 — is expected to be more of a critical care facility than originally planned.

As the largest of the 15 specified capital projects required to be built when DMC was sold in 2011 to Vanguard Health Systems, the decision to build the cumulative $170 million tower project into more of a pediatric critical care wing was made for two primary reasons, said DMC CEO Joe Mullany:

There was a dire need to increase the number of neonatal and pediatric intensive care beds to treat a growing number of children who required such care, and that pediatric care is one of DMC's three regional specialty service lines that fit into its larger ambulatory care network strategy.

Last year, DMC was sold again, to Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., one of the largest investor-owned chains in the country.

The six-story, 185,000-square-foot children's tower features expanded neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit space, a new emergency department, new imaging equipment, larger operating rooms and advanced surgical equipment, and a patient-centered and lean architectural design.

...

[LMich]

Some kind of tangentially related news:

Track signing ceremony planned for M-1 Rail project in Detroit (http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140915/METRO01/309150045/Track-signing-ceremony-planned-M-1-Rail-project-Detroit)

By David Shephardson | The Detroit News

September 15, 2014

Detroit — Two 5-foot sections of steel streetcar tracks will be signed during a ceremony celebrating the public-private partnership behind Detroit’s M-1 Rail project.

The track signing is scheduled Monday morning at Grand Circus Park.

It will follow a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. Gov. Rick Snyder, Mayor Mike Duggan and other officials also will be on hand to tout M-1 Rail’s new $12.2 million federal grant to help finish the 3.31-mile streetcar project.

...

Y mas:

Detroit joins list of immigrant-friendly cities (http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140915/METRO01/309150044/Detroit-joins-list-immigrant-friendly-cities)

Associated Press

September 15, 2014

Detroit — The city of Detroit is joining a national initiative aimed at creating immigrant-friendly environments.

The Detroit Immigration Task Force plans to announce Monday that Detroit will participate in “Welcoming Cities & Counties.”

It joins New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities in the program that also looks to maximize opportunities for economic growth through immigration.

Task force members include immigrant community leaders, nonprofit service providers and immigration experts. The group has been working since January to draft a comprehensive city-wide plan to help Detroit become a diverse, inclusive and global city.

City Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López says “Detroit’s immigrants historically played a key role in making the city one of the greatest in the world.”

BTW, recent track welding for M-1 Rail courtesy of their facebook page:

M-1 Rail Welding (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.571163939675882.1073741833.279212498871029&type=1)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10620698_571164243009185_5951869772016774144_n.jpg?oh=0d29d9f5259517c6e51a42511cdc098d&oe=5494A925&__gda__=1419774612_444ef8acdb1d29af0f1b9f02c1c7927a

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10696418_571164219675854_4880152655520350250_n.jpg?oh=f7aa172a530dae95d2803a08dea18d05&oe=549CF0E9&__gda__=1419636447_e8772d1adcd34b67d6d2157e7856ef78

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10616090_571164326342510_3528895821990746807_n.jpg?oh=69daaa6c51cb15f329034a5e62dbb4db&oe=548D5AEC

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10649612_571164013009208_5057727579905634713_n.jpg?oh=a5926eae4d60568c6d0a36e22c3f743d&oe=54856CA6&__gda__=1418228858_768991f369f17cba3a3fec57da50d6ef

[animatedmartian]

Detroit's lost little pieces of history are coming back.

New lion heads for Detroit's Whitney Building are a sign of times
Michael H. Hodges. Detroit News Fine Arts Writer. SEPTEMBER 17, 2014.

http://multimedia.detroitnews.com/pix/15/85/84/05/9d/77/20140916211416_08-Restoring-Detroit.JPG


The lions are coming back.

Starting next week, workmen from Ram Construction will begin hauling 26 lion heads up 19 stories to the top of the David Whitney Building on Grand Circus Park. The heads, each 3 feet across, are attached to new cornices, which will restore the ones ripped off in an ill-advised modernization in the 1950s.

It’s a sign of where Detroit real estate is going these days. Developers, like Detroit’s Roxbury Group redoing the David Whitney, are suddenly willing to re-create lost architectural detailing, from cornices to elaborate entranceways, that just a few years ago would have been dismissed as too expensive.

The Whitney building was built in 1915 by celebrated Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. The new cornice line and lion heads were molded in a Plymouth warehouse by Glassline Inc., where they’re also re-creating the original 67-foot-wide rooftop sign with the building’s name.

Glassline is a small firm dealing in fiberglass-reinforced plastic that suddenly finds itself swimming in contracts for Detroit projects. Owner Guy Kenny still can’t get over the sudden surge.

“Up until two years ago, there was nothing,” he says, “apart from a couple projects and what we did on the Book-Cadillac Hotel,” where Glassline recreated a cornice-like “water table” that wraps around the 23rd floor.

These days? “It’s spooky how much we’ve got going on.”

...

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140917/LIFESTYLE/309170018#ixzz3DZeSejq7

[EuphoricOctopus]

Whole Foods seeking second Detroit store

Nathan Bomey, Detroit Free Press Business Writer
September 18, 2014

Whole Foods is seeking a location for a second store in Detroit, co-CEO Walter Robb said this morning.

Robb said the premium grocery chain wants to expand its presence in Detroit after experiencing "a truly vibrant community." The company's first Detroit store opened in midtown in 2013.

"Our store is a tremendous success," he said on Day 1 of the Detroit Homecoming conference.

...


http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2014/09/18/whole-foods-detroit/15822907/

[hudkina]

That's an interesting idea. I don't think Corktown or even the CBD are ready for a Whole Foods yet. The only other options would be somewhere on the East Riverfront close to Indian Village or somewhere in the Techtown area to draw from North Midtown and the New Center area. I think the East Riverfront option would be more ideal as it may even draw some people from the Grosse Pointes. There's plenty of money in that area (Indian Village, West Village, Joseph Berry, Lafayette Park, Rivertown, etc., and if other chain stores can survive on East Jefferson, so could a Whole Foods. I think one option would be to just move into the old Farmer Jack at St. Jean. It's not far from the Grosse Pointes or Indian Village, though obviously the immediate area isn't particularly great. Another option would be to carve out some space for them on the Uniroyal site. It's further from the Grosse Pointes, but in a much more viable location.

[EuphoricOctopus]

That's an interesting idea. I don't think Corktown or even the CBD are ready for a Whole Foods yet. The only other options would be somewhere on the East Riverfront close to Indian Village or somewhere in the Techtown area to draw from North Midtown and the New Center area. I think the East Riverfront option would be more ideal as it may even draw some people from the Grosse Pointes. There's plenty of money in that area (Indian Village, West Village, Joseph Berry, Lafayette Park, Rivertown, etc., and if other chain stores can survive on East Jefferson, so could a Whole Foods. I think one option would be to just move into the old Farmer Jack at St. Jean. It's not far from the Grosse Pointes or Indian Village, though obviously the immediate area isn't particularly great. Another option would be to carve out some space for them on the Uniroyal site. It's further from the Grosse Pointes, but in a much more viable location.

I agree. I'm going to guess they might put it the First National Building, where that other grocery store was supposed to go. I am amazed how quickly downtown, midtown, corktown, etc., are taking off.

[BVictor1]

I can't wait to ride the streetcars once things are said and done. I love Detroit, always have. As a Chicagoan, I've been traveling between the 2 cities all my life. I have family there and honestly wouldn't mind moving there one day.

[animatedmartian]

Not really new news, but a nice look at the names and articulate entrances to apartment buildings around Midtown.

http://elmoore.com/2014/09/09/meet-the-named-neighbors-of-the-el-moore/

[animatedmartian]

Progress on Wayne State's BRB.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/475093f0abe0d1cf3807163fd3ff9fe1/tumblr_ncb99k4Ar31tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/a6aca052ba4d9fec1dba57e46d2731b6/tumblr_ncb9awxmm11tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/76cfc067cdc41770f8ef1791a536a475/tumblr_ncb9aluVCV1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/5d2ef643c2fb0a69cfca2c041eb5d80d/tumblr_ncb9a85fRh1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2014/09/see_the_progress_on_wayne_stat.html

[animatedmartian]

WSUPG celebrates groundbreaking of $68 million medical office building
09.22.2014

https://33.media.tumblr.com/2355f68ef0d8d6063d415a6c7f55aa9e/tumblr_ncbqxkoRMH1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Officials from the Wayne State University Physician Group, along with The Ferchill Group and Midtown Project LLC, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony today celebrating the construction of a new five-story, $68 million medical office building and parking structure at 3750 Woodward Ave. in Detroit.

Expected to open in 2016, the 153,000-square-foot medical building will centralize providers from nearby Detroit-based WSUPG clinics. The facility is projected to accommodate more than 200,000 patient appointments annually for primary and specialty care such as internal medicine, ophthalmology, women’s health, neurosurgery and various diagnostic services.

A four-story parking structure with about 650 spaces for patients and providers will be constructed on the adjacent lot. Ground-level retail space is planned, with additional tenants to include fast-casual dining.

The project site, formerly known as the Professional Plaza, is owned by Midtown Project LLC. Wayne State University Physician Group, southeast Michigan’s largest physician organization, has been a tenant of the Professional Plaza for more than 12 years. The new building will serve as clinical and medical office space, replacing an outdated and undersized facility. The neighboring 12-story “hammer and nail” building is being independently developed.

The medical office building was designed by Neumann/Smith Architecture and features modern sloping glass, aluminum sunscreens, enclosed glass staircases and an accessible third-level roof terrace for staff. Fifth Third Bank is providing financing for the project, and T.H. Marsh Construction Co. of Royal Oak is the construction management firm.

....



http://www.wsupgdocs.org/news-and-media/WayneStateContentPage.aspx?nd=1293&news=578

[LMich]

Why or why did they orient this building the way they did? lol They basically knew that M-1 Rail was liking to come by this way, and yet they still turned the building to the side.

[animatedmartian]

My guess is that either there was something eventually planned on the other half of the site or that there's going to be an entrance on John R that allows easy access to DMC. Not that I think it makes that big of a difference anyway.

[detroit_alive]

Why or why did they orient this building the way they did? lol They basically knew that M-1 Rail was liking to come by this way, and yet they still turned the building to the side.

I've been dying to see a site plan for this since it was announced. While it will likely be underwhelming, this site had vast potential. Imagine if they extended Seldon and Parsons to John R, restoring the street grid and killing the mega block...

[animatedmartian]

Stumble across an MEDC video for Orleans Landing. I noticed Guoin Mews Street is not in the aerial rendering.

ZCuB4eE0C5c

https://38.media.tumblr.com/2d2389922b6cbb215808bfd918df31d1/tumblr_ncepq7c6Z61tv48zjo1_1280.png

https://38.media.tumblr.com/5aee1cb8f9301c4468f6b3ee6a6d10d2/tumblr_ncepp7GMBk1tv48zjo1_1280.png

[uaarkson]

Midtown will never be urban with all this fucking parking.

[animatedmartian]

Midtown will never be urban with all this fucking parking.

Orleans Landing is in Rivertown (the area east of the Ren Cen). Though your complaint is still valid.

To be fair, this does create a walkable streetwall. Aside from the Adventure center parking lot, the only street with parking lots fronting it is Woodbridge.

[hudkina]

Once the streetcar gets extended along East Jefferson, they could easily develop the interior of the blocks into more housing.

[animatedmartian]

New York builder buys Ciccarelli's building, plans creative loft-style space (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140929/NEWS/140929846/new-york-builder-buys-ciccarellis-building-plans-creative-loft-style)
By Kirk Pinho. September 29, 2014. Crain's Detroit Business.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/cd76867ffa12f4fe3e3e683490f35bb9/tumblr_ncoqp8MttU1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

The 85,000-square-foot building that houses Ciccarelli’s 22 Sports Bar on its first floor has sold to an out-of-state construction company for $1.12 million.

Dan Callaway, the broker at Bloomfield Hills-based Forum Group Commercial Real Estate LLC who represented Jamaica, N.Y.-based Damo Construction Co. Inc., said the company plans to turn the warehouse building into creative loft-style office space within the next 18 months.

Plans are in the works to add more windows to the 109-year-old building on the northwest corner of Cass Avenue and West Congress Street.

Callaway said this is Damo’s first building purchase in Michigan, but the company has other real estate holdings in the New York area.

“We have a huge increase in out-of-state investors right now looking to Detroit with the high amount of growth we are experiencing,” Callaway said.

....

I think this is what, the 2nd or 3rd company specifically from NYC to buy first-time in Detroit? Not to mention first-time buyers from elsewhere.

[Rizzo]

Once the streetcar gets extended along East Jefferson, they could easily develop the interior of the blocks into more housing.

I was just thinking they could also possibly deck over that parking 1 level and build some interior midrise stuff. That would be pretty awesome actually. You'd have to the 2-3 buildings facing the street and some interior 5-8 story apartments.

[animatedmartian]

Texas developers purchase New Center buildings, plan loft-style residential units
By Kirk Pinho. October 5th, 2014.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/3e148c42f5a59fc67ef9b42372950268/tumblr_ncz99thCg61tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Just south of the TechTown Detroit building in the New Center area of Detroit, Jerome Huez and his development partners from Texas are planning for 24-27 loft-style residential units to hit the market next fall.

Huez, president of Detroit-based real estate brokerage The Loft Warehouse Inc., said his company will be responsible for securing financing and filling the units at Second Avenue at York Street where he and senior Loft Warehouse agent Matt O'Laughlin closed on the purchase of four buildings for $1.3 million last week.

Bill Ball of Austin, Texas-based real estate development firm Kemp Properties, and Jerry Lindenmuth, owner of Austin-based oil and gas company Lindenmuth & Associates Inc., paid cash for the buildings and are funding whatever redevelopment costs are not covered by things like tax incentives, O'Laughlin said.

It's undetermined whether they will be apartments or condominiums, but the one- and two-bedroom units are expected to be between 850 and 1,250 square feet and could offer some unique features.

"We are playing around with having green alleys back there and potential rooftop decks," O'Laughlin said.

The development has not yet been named, Huez said.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/26d53748011168c1f1fc9e7a3071ad88/tumblr_ncz9iedJjd1tv48zjo1_250.jpg

Totaling 70,000 square feet, the buildings are a 30,000-square-foot warehouse at 5960 Second Ave., which will be for the lofts; an 8,000-square-foot warehouse at 5924-5928 Second Ave.; a 10,000-square-foot retail storefront at 5940 Second Ave.; and a 22,000-square-foot warehouse at 463 York St.

O'Laughlin said there are two options for the building at 5924 Second -- tearing it down because it's in disrepair and making it a surface parking lot, or rehabbing it and turning it into a restaurant or a bar.

The building at 5940 Second will be used as interior parking with spaces for the residents, while the building at 463 York could be redeveloped as single-tenant office space or also used for more lofts.

The loft redevelopment is expected to cost about $2.7 million, although total project cost has not yet been determined.

....

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141005/NEWS/310059984/texas-developers-purchase-new-center-buildings-plan-loft-style

[animatedmartian]

One of the proposals for Tiger Stadium site revealed.

_-AAuysHi0g

http://media2.wxyz.com/photo/2014/10/08/First_look_at_plan_for_old_Tiger_Stadium_2106470000_8867004_ver1.0_640_480.jpg

[uaarkson]

That actually looks amazing.

[JonathanGRR]

Arguments are starting to heat up on Gratiot:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20141009/NEWS/141009792/AR/0/AR-141009792.jpg&MaxW=620&v=201405231302
Wayne County committee nixes moving jail to Mound Road; Rock Ventures cautions against 'hulking jail' on Gratiot
Chad Halcom and Dustin Walsh | October 9, 2014

Construction cranes could return to the stalled Wayne County Jail project in downtown Detroit after a committee of county commissioners recommended shelving an alternative plan that would clear the way for Rock Ventures LLC to redevelop the site.

The committee at a meeting today voted 9-2 to recommend approving a resolution taking a possible alternate jail and criminal justice center at the former Mound Road Correctional Facility off the table.

The measure now goes for a formal vote of the full board, possibly by Oct. 16.

The resolution offered by Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak takes off the table two alternate proposals to relocate the jail nine miles away at Mound Road, and would directs the board only to consider only the three remaining options from a presentation it received last month.

That paved the way to resume the half-finished project on Gratiot Avenue next week in the face of opposition from Rock Ventures, the development arm of Quicken Loans Inc. founder-chairman Dan Gilbert’s real estate empire. The commission has reviewed five development alternatives so far, two of which involved moving to Mound Road.

Two more involve completing the Gratiot building, and a fifth option is to renovate two existing jail buildings along nearby Clinton Street — a longshot, officials have told Crain’s, because one of the buildings is almost 90 years old. But all three remaining options would preclude Rock’s offer to pay $50 million for the Gratiot site along with the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, a juvenile detention facility and other county buildings.

Gilbert has argued remaining at Gratiot will hinder revitalization of the downtown’s entertainment district. Commissioners have told Crain’s that the two Mound Road options would cost either $468 million or $488 million in new construction, depending on the size of the jail it chooses, and Wayne County could need to issue about $400 million of new bonds on top of its current debt load, which includes $200 million of bonds sold in 2010 to fund the Gratiot jail.

Commissioner Kevin McNamara said the project has come too far to turn back. Commissioners voted 9-2 to keep going and may make their final decision Oct. 16.

“A judicial complex makes sense for a downtown area,” McNamara said. “You can’t walk away from $157 million.”

Construction was suspended in June 2013 after a county report that the project would run $91 million over planned cost. The state has offered a former prison nine miles away in Detroit for a $1 annual lease as an alternative. The commission ruled out that plan with its resolution today.

The downtown project’s cost overruns prompted a grand-jury investigation that culminated last month in the indictment of three current and former county employees on charges of neglect of duty.
...
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141009/NEWS/141009792/rock-ventures-blasts-wayne-county-vote-to-resume-detroit-jail-project

[animatedmartian]

Personally, I don't think the building of the jail itself is a problem, but if I were a Wayne County taxpayer, I'd feel my tax dollars were being misused simply because of the lack of transparency.

The jail being built is meant to be a consolidation of the two jails next door to the old Police HQ which both are stated to be demolished. There's going to be two plots of land that would presumably open up after the Fail Jail is complete, plus the land the old Police HQ is on if that ends up needing to be demolished as well (due to a clause). I don't think the completion of the jail will have that big of an effect on downtown (or the proposed entertainment district). No one's going make a fuss about seeing a jail when they're coming down Gratiot or 375.

At this point, I just want Wayne County to finish the damn thing and sort out their mess.

[hudkina]

I would certainly rather see something other than a jail at such an important location. I think the Mound Road facility is the best option, and I don't think it really matters that I'd pay more tax dollars to see it moved out of the downtown area.

[detroit_alive]

I can't believe there is even an argument about the jail. The existing judicial infrastructure is downtown and a downtown location makes sense as it is the center of the county seat.

Get it built, demolish the existing jail buildings, renovate or demolish the old DPD bldg, and develop the land that is cleared. Redevelop the area bounded by Madison, St Antoine, Macomb, and Brush as the entertainment district. This would be more connective and beneficial to downtown than a site bounded by a freeway and casino parking garage.

[hudkina]

But you don't need to place a prison there. Why not place the wastewater treatment facility and a coal powerplant there as well. You don't need to place everything in the business district for it to function properly. Why would it be any different if the jail were located at the Mound Rd facility. It's still in the county seat, but its in an area tucked away.

[animatedmartian]

But you don't need to place a prison there. Why not place the wastewater treatment facility and a coal powerplant there as well. You don't need to place everything in the business district for it to function properly. Why would it be any different if the jail were located at the Mound Rd facility. It's still in the county seat, but its in an area tucked away.

Because the courthouse and juvenile detention center would have to be built there as well which isn't a cost Wayne County is ready to take on.

[animatedmartian]

Another rendering for the Roxbury proposal for Navin Field aka Tiger Stadium. Not an overly dramatic design, but I like it. I think it fits well along Michigan Avenue.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/25c57da96f8053df704eaf827c7c95c2/tumblr_ndfv2feFwJ1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg
http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2014/10/behold-another-possible-look-for-the-future-of-tiger-stadium.php

[Busy Bee]

Keep the general site and massing program but please bring in a new architect.

[subterranean]

Agreed, that looks pretty bad.

[mousquet]

^ No, it doesn't IMO. The glass bays to the street level make it open enough and what I assume to be some traditional brick spares it from being bad looking. It may just be a fair piece of increasing density.

A dense fabric has never been made of exceptional buildings exclusively, huh. By definition, most things tend to look rather random in a high density.

[subterranean]

I'm just not a fan at all. It reminds me of this monstrosity they built in Lansing a few years back:

http://gillespie-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Stadium-District-Slideshow-CD111-0218.jpg

[animatedmartian]

I'm pretty dumbfounded on the response to this design. It looks pretty similar to what's typical on the main thoroughfares of Detroit and considering many buildings along those thoroughfares have been butchered to hell, this design seems to be a nice refresher back to the original styles.

But of course this is just one of two proposals. Maybe the other one will keep everyone pleased.

[animatedmartian]

I'm just not a fan at all. It reminds me of this monstrosity they built in Lansing a few years back:

http://gillespie-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Stadium-District-Slideshow-CD111-0218.jpg

That looks incredibly more repetitive. There's more subtle variety in this proposal.

[animatedmartian]

Deal lets Detroit creditor develop Joe Louis site
Robert Snell, David Shepardson and Christine Ferretti, The Detroit News

https://38.media.tumblr.com/4a076dbb3210e62a44665d24b175cf78/tumblr_ndjpjm0bLb1tv48zjo1_500.jpg

The last major holdout creditor in Detroit's bankruptcy case will get to redevelop the Joe Louis Arena site under terms of a deal struck early Thursday aimed at speeding the city's exit from bankruptcy court.

Under the deal, holdout bond insurer Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. will replace the longtime home of the Detroit Red Wings with a hotel, riverfront condominiums and retail. The development, which includes the Joe Louis Arena parking garage, has the potential to transform a stretch of the riverfront west of Cobo Center and complement earlier redevelopment efforts along the Detroit River.

....

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2014/10/16/detroit-bankruptcy-trial-holdout-creditor/17346549/

[The-New-Tony-Detroit]

Questions that should be pushed with the FGIC/Joe Louis news:

- How will the developer link this development into downtown?
- Could/Should the Lodge be capped to promote more connectivity to Corktown/downtown/riverfront?
- Why is the hotel portion of the building capped at 30-stories?

I'd like to see some major architects take a stab at this one. We cannot afford another RenCen site.

-TNTD

[Guiltyspark]

The upper floors of that design look like a project. Aweful.

[animatedmartian]

- Could/Should the Lodge be capped to promote more connectivity to Corktown/downtown/riverfront?


Not near the JLA atleast. The Lodge actually rises to grade-level before passing under Cobo and plus it's technically an interchange with multiple ramps. Not to mention the pedestrian bridges and People Mover track.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/33d0c67b20da661fe600483ac4c32030/tumblr_ndkfbuORw71tv48zjo1_1280.png

A big reason the building on the left is capped over the freeway is due to there being a train station that the freeway was built under. The train station was demolished in the 70s.

At the very least, the biggest positive is that the people mover station is right there and the RiverWalk is on the other side.

Also, I'm not sure if it's the reason for the height limit, but I'm pretty sure a portion (if not all) the land JLA is on is reclaimed land.

[Guiltyspark]

Not near the JLA atleast. The Lodge actually rises to grade-level before passing under Cobo and plus it's technically an interchange with multiple ramps. Not to mention the pedestrian bridges and People Mover track.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/33d0c67b20da661fe600483ac4c32030/tumblr_ndkfbuORw71tv48zjo1_1280.png

A big reason the building on the left is capped over the freeway is due to there being a train station that the freeway was built under. The train station was demolished in the 70s.

At the very least, the biggest positive is that the people mover station is right there and the RiverWalk is on the other side.

Also, I'm not sure if it's the reason for the height limit, but I'm pretty sure a portion (if not all) the land JLA is on is reclaimed land.

God this area of the city is such a confusing mess of skywalks, fences and concrete and ramps. I can't wait till the Joe is gone and the area can be opened up and improved.

[Rail>Auto]

The redevelopment of the old Tiger Stadium lot looks terrible. They need to get an architect who will design something unique that will pay tribute to Tiger Stadium. Even though the shell is gone, a decent architect should be able to construct a complex with a shell that goes around the entire complex that mimics Tiger Stadium.

Old Bush Stadium in Indianapolis looks amazing. They hit a homerun with that project.

[animatedmartian]

The redevelopment of the old Tiger Stadium lot looks terrible. They need to get an architect who will design something unique that will pay tribute to Tiger Stadium. Even though the shell is gone, a decent architect should be able to construct a complex with a shell that goes around the entire complex that mimics Tiger Stadium.

Old Bush Stadium in Indianapolis looks amazing. They hit a homerun with that project.

As far as stadiums go, Tiger Stadium had nothing unique or interesting about it. Even compared to other old stadiums. The most locals had wanted was preservation of the playfield (which is what these current proposals offer). Many could have cared less about the shell or having it converted into residential. At most, there was an attempt to make a section into a museum for memorabilia which is what locals saw as the more important aspects of the stadium.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4068/4654181549_3bb66b554d_b.jpg
(https://flic.kr/p/86gU2t)mich ave 1 (https://flic.kr/p/86gU2t) by Claws&Effect (https://www.flickr.com/people/27355341@N08/), on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4055/4654151819_79c952aff2_b.jpg
(https://flic.kr/p/86gKbT)cochrane - michigan 1 (https://flic.kr/p/86gKbT) by Claws&Effect (https://www.flickr.com/people/27355341@N08/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5174/5412092660_5c0316c36f_b.jpg
(https://flic.kr/p/9ffoAq)19960413 03 Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI. (https://flic.kr/p/9ffoAq) by davidwilson1949 (https://www.flickr.com/people/32693718@N07/), on Flickr

[skyfan]

Good to see this one finally get started, this removes the biggest vacant building in the area.


$28 million Strathmore Apartments project in Midtown Detroit moving forward


http://imgick.mlive.com/home/mlive-media/pgmain/img/detroit/photo/2014/10/23/-479db43e5c8b11ec.JPG

The $28 million renovation of the former Strathmore Hotel towering over Woodward Avenue in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood is moving forward.

Midtown Detroit, Inc. president Sue Mosey told MLive in an email that the group leading the redevelopment has closed on a remediation loan, and lead and asbestos are currently being removed from the eight-floor building at 70 W. Alexandrine.

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2014/10/28_million_strathmore_apartmen.html

[skyfan]

Wow!! That building is all full already though, I wonder if Gilbert will have to take out employees to find space.


Fortune 500 company to move regional HQ to One Woodward building


An undisclosed Fortune 500 company will move its regional headquarters into the Dan Gilbert-owned building at 1 Woodward Ave.

Gilbert’s Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC was to make the announcement at a 9 a.m. Tuesday press conference that will be held with the new tenant’s president and CEO, Gilbert, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Jim Ketai, managing partner of Bedrock at the One Woodward building.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141027/NEWS/141029873/fortune-500-company-to-move-regional-hq-to-one-woodward-building

[animatedmartian]

Fifth Third Bank bringing $85 million in charity, investments with move to Downtown Detroit (http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/10/fifth_third_bank_bringing_85_m.html)
By Khalil AlHajal. October 28, 2014

https://38.media.tumblr.com/50dce803e82d01ee9e373eaa043c887d/tumblr_ne5u1uyo5g1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Fifth Third Bank is moving its regional headquarters from Southfield to Downtown Detroit, and its bringing with it $85 million for charitable donations and investments in the city.

The bank plans to move into the One Woodward building, which will be renamed Fifth Third Bank at One Woodward, officials announced Monday morning.

"We saw an opportunity to differentiate ourselves in the market," said Fifth Third Bank Eastern Michigan CEO David Girodat after the announcement in the building's lobby. "... We felt we can do it by showing our commitment to the city. And that's what this is about."

The 29-story building office tower near the riverfront was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the architect of the World Trade Center in New York City.

Fifth Third Bank plans to occupy four floors of the building with 150 full-time employees.

"Construction is going to start very soon we're getting down the final drawings to
find out who's going to sit where, which is very exciting," Girodat said.

As part of the move, which Girodat said has been in the works for 18 months, the bank is pledging $85 million toward charitable donations, small business lending and other investments over the next five years, including funding for upgrades at the city's Northwest Activities Center and Hart Plaza.

.....

https://38.media.tumblr.com/0ce080ec85cd1521a1f814dc38fbb7d6/tumblr_ne5u27kS5j1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

:cheers:

[animatedmartian]

Also, in more under the radar news, DTE is nearing completion of the renovation of the Salvation Army Building. Photo via DetroitYes.

https://38.media.tumblr.com/dca4eba7ae5b42a39e395616da7620a8/tumblr_ne5x51Ncpr1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?16583-DTE-purchases-Salvation-Army-Building-and-lot-across-from-GAR&p=457000#post457000

Compared to 2003.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/5cf6654d9a85f426ea8aef69629bb04d/tumblr_ne5xd5G7Ri1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

[subterranean]

Nice. And the slow trickle from the suburbs continues. It will be weird cruising by the towers on the Lodge and not seeing the 5/3 sign, but this is a welcomed change!

[lzppjb]

I really enjoy the old buildings y'all have in Detroit. Such character and style. Great bones with which to make a big comeback.

[animatedmartian]

The hotel opens in December (but isn't taking reservations until after the Auto Show), and the apartments are already open for applications. The ground floor already has planned an upscale French-themed restaurant and the lounge for Aloft Hotel, plus a grab-and-go food shop.

I think this will easily be one of the must-visit lobbies in Detroit. Maybe even direct competition to the Gaurdian Building. :cheers:

https://33.media.tumblr.com/21852fd17fedd7cb40a5f1a3341cfd09/tumblr_neaim2IOYb1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/7a41bf7c80a11854dabd8188fd000ecd/tumblr_neaimkmMsJ1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/1a28e1b14e529a7fa8fcd549e936cb15/tumblr_neaipaYGmI1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/7e740489f474e57d6f799fe194663cd6/tumblr_neaiqqor031tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/b12b70496e78b455dd4e9b37302b7331/tumblr_neair5OPcS1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/b6a0dc9ac60487e398fac32c31e0780b/tumblr_neail2yGtk1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/3ed9f693d21505066759ed4a6d141b88/tumblr_neaijobn8V1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/fba521b9bd4df1e73d0c7b999ff4b1a2/tumblr_neaikh995t1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/44ea8ca45c91f791f606d1a7ef1f1e3a/tumblr_neaig0bcy51tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/5e3679a3ed828c7a008a2f47a1b7002d/tumblr_neaillwntp1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://31.media.tumblr.com/b0742e5689317c403cbb38c4cd487865/tumblr_neaik2J3Lv1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/4be1d5c72d51560934bb39cc9247e44c/tumblr_neaiig9NJL1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/587acf89f3d3e9454e7c1d2946229c68/tumblr_neaihfqgKx1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/95842382ad58fd9cefc380e3b04e0b88/tumblr_neaihw6xIJ1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/fba91a99103b740fadc0a014d48e690d/tumblr_neaiooFNny1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/b8b7b321f3f102e419b9d313fcc6e105/tumblr_neainqLWEV1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/4c803f32db6c3dd1178dea64c80f677a/tumblr_neain5HZvj1tv48zjo1_500.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/21854948027cb50f72cbe07cd77c6392/tumblr_neairq8dQ31tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

All images via Curbed (http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2014/10/david-whitney-hotel-reveals-detroits-best-lobby-renovation.php).


The apartments and hotel look like your typical IKEA furniture catalog. Pretty underwhelming compared to the grandeur of the lobby (but that's okay by me).

https://31.media.tumblr.com/ab97002a360ec1c1ba693154fc281f89/tumblr_neak0ugVbV1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://31.media.tumblr.com/6ad5f8a7ecca9327e4baafe9a433b3bc/tumblr_neak14Iuqg1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/5271e801eea49654b088a89bc8b01895/tumblr_neak1f63xU1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Images from: http://davidwhitneybuilding.com/

https://33.media.tumblr.com/761d91f7be6894e741940d222740a7ef/tumblr_neakkiDoeK1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/43da46f1f80984148a2b69bb2d6c0fff/tumblr_neakk5hXPI1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/8ce763e55dbbb3ae8d029b22590f138f/tumblr_neakjroq6a1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://33.media.tumblr.com/f031a757b8bd337ecc5fee80214bc07d/tumblr_neaki1Z2vF1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

And obviously a building of this shape won't have the most spectacular inward views... but at least there's sunlight! :D

https://38.media.tumblr.com/dae0712633dfc721edf4e136f36db656/tumblr_neakhmYkhy1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/f3ba9fe98d8bb390590dc59738b2c555/tumblr_neakiq8WlL1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/6490f3df7fe390c9c6b7f227450cb9f8/tumblr_neakjdYGs71tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Images via Curbed (http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2014/10/tour-the-david-whiteny-apartments-and-hotel-rooms.php).

[mind field]

The whitney is an amazing restoration! Definitely agree it will be one of Detroit's must visit lobbies! Next up, Book Tower......

[hudkina]

And the David Stott.;)

[Detroit1995]

Great pictures on this thread! I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Will there ever be a skyscraper in Detroit that will surpass the Ren Cen in height?

Now I understand that if this were to ever happen, it wouldn't be in the near future. I'm 19 years old and Detroit has gained and lost so many treasures since 1995.

I remember my Dad telling me how amazing it was to see the Ren Cen rise on the riverfront. Yes I know it messed with our Art-Deco skyline, but hey I'm proud to have the complex and GM downtown.

In my lifetime, I can't see any skyscraper surpass the Ren Cen. We've also only had two skyscrapers completed in the last 21 years, One Detroit Center and Greektown Casino.

What are your thoughts?

Go Pistons
Go Lions

[Guiltyspark]

Great pictures on this thread! I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Will there ever be a skyscraper in Detroit that will surpass the Ren Cen in height?

Now I understand that if this were to ever happen, it wouldn't be in the near future. I'm 19 years old and Detroit has gained and lost so many treasures since 1995.

I remember my Dad telling me how amazing it was to see the Ren Cen rise on the riverfront. Yes I know it messed with our Art-Deco skyline, but hey I'm proud to have the complex and GM downtown.

In my lifetime, I can't see any skyscraper surpass the Ren Cen. We've also only had two skyscrapers completed in the last 21 years, One Detroit Center and Greektown Casino.

What are your thoughts?

Go Pistons
Go Lions

Unless GM decides to build a new world headquarters in the next 50 years, I would not count on it.

[animatedmartian]

Great pictures on this thread! I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Will there ever be a skyscraper in Detroit that will surpass the Ren Cen in height?

Now I understand that if this were to ever happen, it wouldn't be in the near future. I'm 19 years old and Detroit has gained and lost so many treasures since 1995.

I remember my Dad telling me how amazing it was to see the Ren Cen rise on the riverfront. Yes I know it messed with our Art-Deco skyline, but hey I'm proud to have the complex and GM downtown.

In my lifetime, I can't see any skyscraper surpass the Ren Cen. We've also only had two skyscrapers completed in the last 21 years, One Detroit Center and Greektown Casino.

What are your thoughts?

Go Pistons
Go Lions

It's entirely more likely that we'll see towers in the 15-30 floor range before then. There's still a lot of space to fill and not really too many companies moving into Detroit that would need something on the size of something like One Detroit Center (which btw is the tallest office building, the tallest part of the Ren Cen is a hotel).

So with that in mind, the next likely tallest building in Detroit would probably be a thin residential tower (or some sort of mixed-use), but in that regards too, Detroit still has plenty of space to fill before demand calls on something of that size.

So it's not impossible, but not likely in the immediate future. Maybe in several to ten years at the least provided the economy stays on its current track.

[NYC2ATX]

Those photos of the David Whitney alone demonstrate why we must save Detroit. There are too many salvageable treasures in that city which we can possibly afford to abandon. It's our history as a nation.

[Docta_Love]

Yeah the only chance we have for a "game changing" skyscraper in the near term looks to be on the Hudson's Block that Dan G. and Shop Architects are in the preliminary stages of planning. "Gilbert has spoken of redefining the look of downtown with the project"

There's not much info on it yet but here's a link to a Free Press article with a blurb on it

http://archive.freep.com/article/20140102/BUSINESS06/301020015/Gilbert-Bedrock-Detroit-architecture

[JonathanGRR]

One Detroit Center is on the market after the Detroit Police and Fire Retirement System declined to buy it for $100 million. Will Gilbert soon be on scene?

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141104/NEWS/141109950/one-detroit-center-on-the-market-after-pension-system-elects-not-to

[animatedmartian]

It'd probably be one of the priciest purchases for Gilbert, but no doubt he'd love to have more office space in his portfolio. Especially Class A office space. After the 5/3 bank move, I wouldn't doubt Gilbert's ability to get another well-sized company into downtown with ODC.

[EuphoricOctopus]

Great pictures on this thread! I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Will there ever be a skyscraper in Detroit that will surpass the Ren Cen in height?

Now I understand that if this were to ever happen, it wouldn't be in the near future. I'm 19 years old and Detroit has gained and lost so many treasures since 1995.

I remember my Dad telling me how amazing it was to see the Ren Cen rise on the riverfront. Yes I know it messed with our Art-Deco skyline, but hey I'm proud to have the complex and GM downtown.

In my lifetime, I can't see any skyscraper surpass the Ren Cen. We've also only had two skyscrapers completed in the last 21 years, One Detroit Center and Greektown Casino.

What are your thoughts?

Go Pistons
Go Lions

It really depends on whether Detroit really blooms as a city in the next couple of decades. In your lifetime and mine, I am sure we will eventually see something pass the Renaissance Center, but that might take awhile.

[JonathanGRR]

^
The David Whitney building looks amazing by the way, as does the Salvation Army building to an extent. Is there any word on the park that DTE was going to build?

In other news, Patterson isn't too happy about Gilbert moving jobs from "the fertile vineyards of Oakland County." Oh well:

Brooks Patterson to Dan Gilbert: Hands off our jobs
Bill Laitner | November 5, 2014

Downtown Detroit's premier jobs booster and real-estate investor should keep his hands off Oakland County's employers, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson warned Wednesday.

Patterson's saber-rattling talk came in a speech in Southfield, where the outspoken county boss cheered the introduction of the county's new tech248 initiative, aimed at expanding and marketing the county's technology jobs base, but lashed out at Dan Gilbert's recent prospecting north of 8 Mile Road.

Speaking to an audience of 140 technology firms at a tech firm's offices, Patterson told the techies: "I'll fight to keep you here in Oakland County."

Then, in a direct shot at Gilbert, Patterson added: "Are you listening Dan?" evoking laughter from listeners, who included numerous Oakland County officials.

"I would be more impressed with Mr. Gilbert's efforts if he were to bring in high-tech companies from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois rather than looking through the fertile vineyards of Oakland County," Patterson said.

Late Wednesday, Gilbert's spokeswoman Carolyn Artman released a response from Gilbert.

"I would actually be more impressed if Brooks had gotten his facts correct," said Gilbert in the statement. "Of the more than 120 technology companies that have opened shop in SE Michigan's leading high-tech corridor along Woodward in downtown Detroit, more than 100 of them were launched right in the heart of the region's urban core.

"However, we did recently 'woo' a large financial institution's regional HQ from the 'fertile vineyards of Oakland County,' " Gilbert added. "In all seriousness, it would be much more productive if we could all work together to grow the region and state, leaving the divisive politics of the past in the past where they belong. Are you listening, Brooks?"
...
http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2014/11/05/brooks-patterson-oakland-county-dan-gilbert-detroit-technology/18561405/

[north 42]

God I hate L. Brooks Patterson, he's such a big mouth asshole! His hate for Detroit is appalling, and his behaviour is embarrassing!

[hudkina]

He said that jokingly. Obviously his job is to benefit Oakland County. And aside from the obvious irony of Detroit taking back jobs from Oakland County, I think what he said was relatively harmless.

[The North One]

The Whitney's lobby is gorgeous, looks like something you would see in Paris.

[JonathanGRR]

Work on the Dequindre Cut extension via WDET 101.9 FM's facebook page:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10612756_10154754188680697_4873414705026271159_n.jpg?oh=42ff1996fa54eac3d496b6dba2025db4&oe=54E38DA6&__gda__=1424399536_cf682544d8ffd5f902af2964b14712a6
https://www.facebook.com/WDETFM/photos/a.240854585696.276306.80637185696/10154754188680697/?type=1

[hudkina]

Awesome. I can't wait to see the completed project. I especially can't wait to see something happen with those buildings. A pathside cafe would be ideal.

[Docta_Love]

Oh man that looks sweet even the way it is now with the old industrial building's overhang and the new bridge in between the two buildings but yeah there's a really exciting amount of potential with this new extension. Especially how its gonna hook up with the midtown greenway and Eastern Market.

[skyfan]

Great pictures on this thread! I have a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Will there ever be a skyscraper in Detroit that will surpass the Ren Cen in height?

Now I understand that if this were to ever happen, it wouldn't be in the near future. I'm 19 years old and Detroit has gained and lost so many treasures since 1995.

I remember my Dad telling me how amazing it was to see the Ren Cen rise on the riverfront. Yes I know it messed with our Art-Deco skyline, but hey I'm proud to have the complex and GM downtown.

In my lifetime, I can't see any skyscraper surpass the Ren Cen. We've also only had two skyscrapers completed in the last 21 years, One Detroit Center and Greektown Casino.

What are your thoughts?

Go Pistons
Go Lions

Height is overrated anyway. I love tall buildings, BUT I'll take DC style density over a single tall building. I'd rather have five 12 story buildings than one 60
story.

[JonathanGRR]

Conceptual renderings of a revived Packard Plant:

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/5461375ae58ece9bf9000016_nadau-lavergne-architects-present-proposal-to-revitalize-detroit-s-decaying-packard-plant_principal_final-530x162.jpg
Nadau Lavergne Architects Present Proposal to Revitalize Detroit’s Decaying Packard Plant
Rory Stott | November 11, 2014

Nadau Lavergne Architects, the winning team of the Reanimate the Ruins international ideas contest, have shared with us their proposal to revive Detroit‘s historic Packard Automotive Plant, the former factory which has become an icon of the city’s post-industrial decline. By developing a proposal which frees the land from unwanted structures and knits the colossal 1 kilometer-long building back into the urban landscape, Nadau Lavergne Architects have created a design which returns both a sense of community and some economic hope back to the building.
...
http://www.archdaily.com/566080/nadau-lavergne-architects-present-proposal-to-revitalize-detroit-s-decaying-packard-plant/
Reanimate the Ruins (http://parallelprojections.com/rtr-results)

[WPitonya]

Height is overrated anyway. I love tall buildings, BUT I'll take DC style density over a single tall building. I'd rather have five 12 story buildings than one 60
story.

I agree; think of the impact on downtown Detroit with five 12 story or ten 6 story buildings filling in surface parking lots. Detroit's skyline is pretty nice as it is; we need more density!

[subterranean]

I agree; think of the impact on downtown Detroit with five 12 story or ten 6 story buildings filling in surface parking lots. Detroit's skyline is pretty nice as it is; we need more density!

So long as we're wishing, can we get 50 -12 story buildings in downtown Detroit?

[mousquet]

Lol that wishful spirit... Well, the US as a whole is yet showing off an interesting growth rate again, so further imrpovement in the short term seems realistic, especially if the local business community remains involved. The city could certainly use some more dense fabric of midrises, that would be essential. But as I meant once in a thread dedicated to the RenCen, more highrises around are necessary to embellish the skyline. Today, that fight over the tallest building in the universe is surely vain and laughable, but it's still cool to have a bunch of highrises nicely packed, huh.

[uaarkson]

Detroit is partaking in a nation-wide trend, and if they pay attention to what is and isn't working around the country the city should see a huge turn-around. We're already light years ahead of what was conceivable in 08.

[Innsertnamehere]

North America is finally breaking out of the recession 6 years later. Its exciting to think what we will see in the coming years after a half decade of very little. Low oil prices, if they stick around, are going to help manufacturing centres like the rustbelt too.

[MrChills]

Wow.. I can't believe what's going in Detroit!! I lived in the city from 2002-2004 then moved to Windsor, but commuted to the city everyday for work until the end of 2007. I am seriously blown away with the resurgence of development. I haven't checked out the forum in a very long time, as for a lot of years there were next to no real updates, but I've looked over the past couple of years worth of projects and proposals and as I said am blown away. Awesome

[animatedmartian]

Gilbert's Bedrock, Meridian Health to buy Compuware building in Detroit (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141117/NEWS/141119795/gilberts-bedrock-meridian-health-buy-compuware-building-in-detroit)
By Jay Greene, Tom Henderson and Kirk Pinho. November 17, 2014

https://31.media.tumblr.com/d9bcc6ec9ecc4410ed271c587c8ed713/tumblr_nf7raoXKTX1tv48zjo1_500.jpg

Bedrock Real Estate Services and Meridian Health plan to jointly purchase the 1.1 million-square-foot Compuware Corp. headquarters building at Campus Martius in Detroit for $140 million to $150 million, Crain’s has learned.

Meridian’s Sean Cotton, chief administrative officer, said the Detroit-based managed care company plans to move its nearly 1,000 employees into four floors by the end of 2015 and to expand into another two floors by 2019, when the company is expected to double in size.

At closing next month, Cotton said Meridian and Bedrock will form a yet-unnamed joint venture that will purchase the landmark Compuware building from the IT company.

Selling the headquarters building has been part of Compuware's "corporate transformation plan," Compuware CEO Bob Paul said.

When the deal closes, it will be the largest single-building office deal in Michigan this year, and the second largest overall deal in terms of cost, second only to the $177.5 million sale of the Southfield Town Center to New York City-based 601W Cos. in May.

The building is also expected to change names.

Bedrock is a real estate firm founded in 2011 by Dan Gilbert that specializes in purchasing, leasing, financing and managing commercial space. It has located more than 120 tenants to downtown Detroit.

The Compuware building purchase, which also includes an attached 3,000-space parking deck, will give Dan Gilbert co-ownership of the 11-year-old building where Quicken Loans Inc., of which he is founder and chairman, has leased about 240,000 square feet of space across four floors since 2010. The company will occupy an additional floor and 60,000 square feet.

....

Earlier last year, for those unaware, Merdian originally wanted to build their own tower next door. But then Compuware was broken up and subsequently that opened up space in the building making a new tower unnecessary.

[JonathanGRR]

Now this did surprise me. I knew that Compuware probably wouldn't keep the building for much longer, but I did not expect this combination. I wonder if Gilbert is going to be removing employees from the building to make way for Meridian, or is there already enough space for both? It's also interesting to note that now Bedrock will own (or partially own in this case) every building on Campus Martius except Ernst & Young. I wonder if they will make a bid for the Monroe Block in lieu of Meridian's switch.

[animatedmartian]

Now this did surprise me. I knew that Compuware probably wouldn't keep the building for much longer, but I did not expect this combination. I wonder if Gilbert is going to be removing employees from the building to make way for Meridian, or is there already enough space for both? It's also interesting to note that now Bedrock will own (or partially own in this case) every building on Campus Martius except Ernst & Young. I wonder if they will make a bid for the Monroe Block in lieu of Meridian's switch.

Compuware is downsizing to 130,000 square feet. Plenty of room being made for Quicken and Meridian.

[animatedmartian]

Hopcat set to open December 13th. Walls muralized by local artists. Plus construction of LTU center in the background.

https://33.media.tumblr.com/541c43564a8489d4c283d8eab56508c5/tumblr_nf9qn2Dolk1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/4200f2c196fb3a194ac168ad06b56bbf/tumblr_nf9qnr3v9s1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

https://38.media.tumblr.com/b16428fce63fe46c4901eb84901ece01/tumblr_nf9qmn8RU41tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Photos by Steve Neavling from Motorcity Muckracker (http://motorcitymuckraker.com/2014/11/17/artists-adorn-new-pub-in-detroit-with-large-world-class-murals/).

[subterranean]

Much better than the East Lansing location from the outside. Happy they have expanded to Detroit.

[animatedmartian]

Surprising amount of shrinkage going on in Southfield. The high-rise hotel next door was demolished not too long another and there's another still standing high-rise hotel closer to the Lodge that looks ready for demolition as well. Not to mention a hefty bit of low-rise office buildings along 8 Mile were demolished at some point in the past few years.

OCC to demolish 17-story office building in Southfield (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20141121/NEWS/141129968/occ-to-demolish-17-story-office-building-in-southfield)
By Kirk Pinho. November 21, 2014.

https://38.media.tumblr.com/3411d9a59accdaa480ea17a1afa015e5/tumblr_nfesulzEzl1tv48zjo1_1280.jpg

Oakland Community College expects a 296,000-square-foot building in Southfield that it purchased earlier this year for $2.5 million out of bank foreclosure to be demolished next month.

Janet Roberts, executive director of marketing and communications for OCC, said $1.6 million is budgeted to tear down the 17-story North Park Plaza building directly west of the OCC Southfield campus south of Nine Mile Road and east of Northwestern Highway.

The building is expected to be imploded and cleanup and other work on the site, such as debris cleanup and planting grass seed on the land, is expected to be complete by May, Roberts said.

Sitting on 11.5 acres and built in 1972, the building was bought because OCC “didn’t want to be landlocked” if an expansion of the quickly growing Southfield campus, where about 4,000 students are enrolled this semester, is needed, Roberts said.

....

[Michi]

I'm surprised how little is reported about the Cobo renovation. What is the latest?
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8488531490_8559f5e430_b.jpg