DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown [Archive] - Page 36

rlw777

Sep 16, 2016, 12:48 AM

What gets me is how we're this far along from when it was first announced when Gilbert was planning on doing anything on this site and we're still only getting hints and rumors.

I'm pretty sure the Great Pyramids in Egypt didn't take this long to conceptualize and build.

I have no doubts that whatever SHoP designs for the Hudson's sight is going to be top notch. There are a myriad of reasons for why it would be taking this long. Here's a few

1) Big retailers often need to see a minimum amount of foot traffic before they even consider a location.

2) The value of surrounding buildings and their occupancy rates will be a factor in getting retail tenants, getting financing and finding residential tenants.

3) Public transit like the Q-line helps with all of those things as well

Notice that Gilbert has been renovating Woodward Ave. buildings and getting tenants as fast as possible. He's no dummy he's gonna make this as sure of a bet as possible. By taking his time he has a better chance at landing high demand retail, saving money on financing, and increasing the value of his surrounding properties.

One more note... If they have landed Apple there's a good chance apple would want some input on the architecture. It actually wouldn't surprise me if they had it's generally not the practice of Architecture firms to make a rendering with a brand if that brand hasn't been secured.

animatedmartian

Sep 17, 2016, 12:05 AM

Brush Park South

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ff5564e4b075777f4fb5fd/t/57c59783ebbd1af6c1e5a566/1472567210811/20160725_HDC+Presentation_Brush+Park+South_lowres.pdf

Detroit ain't fucking around! Modern urbanity at it's best! :worship:

This feels like a Lafayette Park of the 21st century. I was seriously worried Brush Park would get filled with some bland suburban nonsense.

rlw777

Sep 21, 2016, 2:37 PM

Griswold / Grand River micro apartments are looking good.
Love the horizontal lines of extruded brick

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9q3hmtBYtnmxaKvpOeyEzMiiRpM=/1000x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7138579/MicroApts-1001.jpg

More images Micro Apartments rising Downtown (http://detroit.curbed.com/2016/9/21/12999356/micro-apartments-are-rising-downtown) from Curbed.

The North One

Sep 21, 2016, 3:18 PM

^^^ Damn! That looks amazing!

subterranean

Sep 21, 2016, 3:28 PM

This feels like a Lafayette Park of the 21st century. I was seriously worried Brush Park would get filled with some bland suburban nonsense.

This is EXACTLY what I was worried about, too. Thank gawd.

Griswold / Grand River micro apartments are looking good.
Love the horizontal lines of extruded brick

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9q3hmtBYtnmxaKvpOeyEzMiiRpM=/1000x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7138579/MicroApts-1001.jpg

More images Micro Apartments rising Downtown (http://detroit.curbed.com/2016/9/21/12999356/micro-apartments-are-rising-downtown) from Curbed.

This looks damn good. I'm not sure how I wasn't paying attention to such a significant development, but that brick makes me super excited for the end product - there's only so much you can expect from a rendering.

I've never been more excited for Detroit!

Innsertnamehere

Sep 23, 2016, 3:01 PM

That is the first new build in downtown in quite a while, right? the last thing to go up downtown was what, Earnst and Young 10 years ago? Its crazy to think that it is just the first of many coming to downtown too.

subterranean

Sep 23, 2016, 3:21 PM

Greektown Casino Hotel was 2009.

Docta_Love

Sep 23, 2016, 8:17 PM

^^^Yeah really good to see the form starting to taking shape with the micro's and to be technical its the first ground up new build and first high rise since the greektown hotel in '09. The griswald apartments at 5 stories which are nearing completion on top of the book cadillac parking garage started work late last year i believe.

New developments approved in Brush Park and West Village through Historic District Commission

BY ROBIN RUNYAN
SEP 15, 2016
Curbed Detroit

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_6PPB2Uuvz3mxmL8-uTiSFXFQPs=/0x0:3600x2448/920x613/filters:focal(1512x936:2088x1512):format(webp)/cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50864677/20160914_20The_20Coe_corner_2Bsign.0.jpg

There were spirited debates at Wednesday night’s Historic District Commission meeting, as two new developments were up for approval. The commission voted to approve both of them, so we’ll hear more on each of these soon.

First was another development in Brush Park. This one is .95 acres bordered by Winder, I-75 Service Drive, Brush, and Beaubien. It will add 287 new residential units, plus commercial spaces. They are of varying heights and widths and they look fairly similar to the City Modern development. They’ll also have a small pocket park, carriage houses, and interesting live/work units. Hamilton Anderson Associates has been working on this for a while and meeting with the Brush Park CDC. No timeline right now, but these are moving forward. (We'll get renderings soon).

The second, and much more spirited discussion revolved around a development of row houses on Coe and Van Dyke in West Village. These lots have been empty for years, have seen different proposals for years, and it finally looks like these will move forward. The debate wasn’t over the development itself, as residents would like to see something on the lots. Residents wanted more communication in the process, which was noted. The look was too modern for many, and some residents would like to see more brick. Comments ranged from full approval to "Appropriate for Midtown or Royal Oak, but not West Village," to "At least it’s not shipping containers." Ground could break as early as November.

The Coe Development is a partnership between Christian Hurttienne Architects, the developer Woodborn Partners, and it’s the first development spearheaded by Invest Detroit, to align with their initiative to invest in the Villages, Southwest Detroit, and the Livernois /6 Mile corridor. There will be eight row houses, each three-bedrooms with a one-car garage (seen above). The corner commercial building will have 1,500 square feet of retail space.

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PEXSvKfpvm1o06OOiiWnKVz43c0=/1000x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7109225/20160914_The_Coe_van_dyke_sign.0.jpg

http://detroit.curbed.com/2016/9/15/12931112/west-village-brush-park-development

JonathanGRR

Sep 26, 2016, 11:37 AM

While there's not any development news here, Crain's published a nice, small piece about building new skyscrapers in Detroit:

Detroit comes up short on building tall, but is that a bad thing?
Jennette Smith | September 25, 2016

Where are the new skyscrapers in Detroit?

This is a question I have posed during a number of recent meetings at business organizations. My co-workers have even begun rolling their eyes about my obsession.

But if Detroit is America's great comeback story, where are the new office towers? Where are the new high-rise condos? Where are the large corporations making bold statements with gleaming, new signature towers?

Well, it's not quite that kind of a comeback. Yet.

When I was on a summer road trip with my family a couple of months ago, I noticed patterns. Drive through Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and, of course, the New York area. You guessed it. New office towers dot the horizon. Chicago? Yep, new high-rise construction there, too.

It's a recovery economy, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

What gives? Call it the seven-story itch. (As in the number of floors, not my editing capacity on a deadline day.)

Real estate economics have lots of variables. Variables that can change quickly. Among them: The value of the land, the going rental rates, the prospects for tenants, going construction costs and any financial incentives developers can pull together on a given site. Developers trying to get construction loans need to prove that the economics work. An example: Estimates on the costs for the Little Caesars headquarters building in the works on Woodward Avenue is $600-plus per square foot. Eight stories. Any project taller than that seven- or eight-story threshold increases construction costs sharply. So there's the conundrum.

If you're in Manhattan, the economics of building tall can work. And there are some engineering tricks that can make high-rises more affordable, such as the twisted tower designs made possible by advances in construction, engineering and architectural computer programs. But no matter what architectural style or exact design, the economics have to work. Revenue from rents has to cover the marginal costs of more construction and extra steel.

Detroit isn't there yet. Our tallest structures by number of floors are the Renaissance Center (the 100 tower with the hotel has 73 stories) and the glorious art deco Penobscot, clocking in at 47 floors. Technically, anything over 10 stories is considered a skyscraper. Your perception on what a true high-rise is might be swayed depending on your travels and personal experience.

It is realistic to expect to see more 15- to 20-story buildings in Detroit's near future, especially for mixed-use sites in prime locations. Think the riverfront, the former Hudson's store site smack in the center of downtown, and sites near downtown that are currently surface parking lots. Use your imagination. It's completely conceivable that Detroit will have substantially filled out its skyline during the next 10 years. Think of how far the city has come during the past 10.

So what is realistic on a shorter-term basis? The other kinds of projects the market is supporting include funky high-tech and/or distribution sites near Corktown, and residential spaces. Especially at certain price levels (read: housing for everybody). The leaders at the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy will point out that the tides have begun to shift. Land controlled by the city or the conservancy is worth more now, and there are more potential suitors for sites that are also more development-ready. Sellers can be choosier. Plans can be and are more thought-out with community benefits, public easements, thought given to things like security and landscaping.
...
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160925/BLOG002/160929817/detroit-comes-up-short-on-building-tall-but-is-that-a-bad-thing#utm_medium=email&utm_source=cdb-michmorning&utm_campaign=cdb-michmorning-20160926

Innsertnamehere

Sep 26, 2016, 1:02 PM

no, its not a bad thing. Skycrapers are nice, but I would much rather spread that density around to create a more livable and lively city over a larger area. Detroit has so many parking lots that missing the skyscrapers is the last of the issues. Those parking lots need to be filled ASAP, and that won't be done with 40 storey buildings.

animatedmartian

Sep 26, 2016, 11:02 PM

Outside of the Hudson's site, I could only see 1 or 2 new signature highrises being built downtown anytime soon. Though honestly, Detroit's skyline is unique as is and architecturally, imo, some care will be needed lest we end up with some minimalist glass boxes that dilute the present architectural variety. You also don't want them to be butt-ugly because land values are too low and only the cheapest designs will make it through.

So I'm all for shorter and more numerous buildings that may or may not be so-so in aesthetics while waiting a little longer for more spectacular skyline changing landmarks.

davidberko

Sep 27, 2016, 12:33 AM

Detroit will get some nice high-rise developments in the near future, I am sure of it.

Another boutique hotel :cheers: This one going in Midtown

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2016/09/26/midtown-boutique-hotel-west-elm/91124326/

Some good news for Wayne State

http://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/Annual-2016/Wayne-State-Approves-14B-Housing-Partnership-Will-Add-842-Rooms/

And the latest Obrien Construction video of the New Orleans Landing. I love how this project is looking!

https://youtu.be/sH_Qh3qXCIo

The North One

Sep 27, 2016, 2:25 AM

Tell Jennette Smith that the Hudson site is coming.

I'm actually a lot more excited about Brush Park anyway.

animatedmartian

Sep 27, 2016, 5:07 PM

Soave's first Detroit residential development plans include more than 400 apartments in Corktown
By KIRK PINHO. September 27, 2016. Crain's Detroit.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/AR-160929612_zpsp3ozvu86.jpg

The first phase of Tony Soave's plan to build more than 400 apartments and tens of thousands of square feet of new retail space in a five-block Corktown development has received $6.9 million in state financing.

It's the first time Soave, president and CEO of Detroit-based Soave Enterprises LLC, has tried his hand at residential development in the city where he was raised as the son of a neighborhood grocer.

"Nobody brought me anything [development opportunities] from Detroit," Soave said in his office on East Lafayette Street last week.

"I kept on watching, thinking, 'I ought to buy a couple of these buildings.'"

The planned Elton Park development is expected to begin with the construction of more than 150 apartments in multiple buildings starting in the spring.

The project includes a rehabilitation of the historic Checker Cab building and construction of new mixed-use buildings with retail space on the first floors. The first phase is expected to be complete by December 2018.

All four phases of the project are expected to cost about $125 million; construction details on the other three phases have yet to be determined.

"If we get them preleased and are covering our debt service, we are going to keep going," said Lisa Payne, chairman of the board for Soave Enterprises and president of the Soave Real Estate Group, a division of Soave Enterprises.

The for-rent units in the $43.8 million first phase are expected to include primarily one-bedroom apartments, but also a smattering of two- and three-bedroom units, said Tysen McCarthy, vice president of Soave Real Estate Group.

He said units are expect to rent for about $2 per square foot.

....

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160927/NEWS/160929612/soaves-first-detroit-residential-development-plans-include-more-than?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

JonathanGRR

Sep 27, 2016, 5:10 PM

I completely agree with everyone else's sentiments; shorter infill which encompasses more land area should be seen as a more desirable level of development for Detroit and other rejuvenating Midwestern cities until a more critical mass can be reached.

In other news, a few more details have been released on Soave's development in Corktown:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20160927/NEWS/160929612/AR/0/AR-160929612.jpg?MaxW=880&v=201411210943
Soave's first Detroit residential development plans include more than 400 apartments in Corktown
Kirk Pinho | September 27, 2016

The first phase of Tony Soave's plan to build more than 400 apartments and tens of thousands of square feet of new retail space in a five-block Corktown development has received $6.9 million in state financing.

It's the first time Soave, president and CEO of Detroit-based Soave Enterprises LLC, has tried his hand at residential development in the city where he was raised as the son of a neighborhood grocer.

"Nobody brought me anything [development opportunities] from Detroit," Soave said in his office on East Lafayette Street last week.

"I kept on watching, thinking, 'I ought to buy a couple of these buildings.'"

The planned Elton Park development is expected to begin with the construction of more than 150 apartments in multiple buildings starting in the spring.

The project includes a rehabilitation of the historic Checker Cab building and construction of new mixed-use buildings with retail space on the first floors. The first phase is expected to be complete by December 2018.

All four phases of the project are expected to cost about $125 million; construction details on the other three phases have yet to be determined.

"If we get them preleased and are covering our debt service, we are going to keep going," said Lisa Payne, chairman of the board for Soave Enterprises and president of the Soave Real Estate Group, a division of Soave Enterprises.

The for-rent units in the $43.8 million first phase are expected to include primarily one-bedroom apartments, but also a smattering of two- and three-bedroom units, said Tysen McCarthy, vice president of Soave Real Estate Group.

He said units are expect to rent for about $2 per square foot.

The planned development is named after Elton Park, which sat at Elizabeth and Eighth streets at the eastern edge of the planned development area until it was built over during construction of the Lodge Freeway in the late 1950s.

"The historic names of the whole neighborhood really kind of resonated with us, and one of the places we found inspiration were in the parks that existed in the early, late 19th century that really abutted the end of our neighborhood," McCarthy said.

Built in the late 1920s at 2128 Trumbull Ave., the Checker Cab building is expected to be turned into 52 loft-style apartments, while new construction is expected to bring:

a new four-story building with about 45 apartments,
a new five-story building with about 40 apartments,
a pair of three-story buildings with about 10 units and
four new three-story townhomes.

A so-called green alley is planned as part of the project connecting from Trumbull Avenue to Eighth Street, McCarthy said.

"Retail, open space ... it will be pretty powerful," Payne said. "A nice little bar, neighborhood retail stuff."
...
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160927/NEWS/160929612/soaves-first-detroit-residential-development-plans-include-more-than?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Edited: Just beaten to the posting...

rlw777

Sep 27, 2016, 7:15 PM

I agree Detroit primarily needs shorter infill but I wouldn't be surprised to see a proposal for a new highrise office building. Office vacancy rates for downtown Detroit are below 15% and Class A office space is at around 11%. The overall vacancy rate is somewhat misleading as there is still a lot of space that can be renovated to meet demand. However if there's a large tenant that wants Class A space downtown it wouldn't surprise me to see a proposal for new construction.

hotwheels

Sep 27, 2016, 9:06 PM

Shinola Hotel a Made-in-Detroit Story of Rebirth and Urban Revitalization
(http://skyrisecities.com/news/2016/09/shinola-hotel-made-detroit-story-rebirth-and-urban-revitalization)From the people who brought a refreshed on-trend urban vibe to Detroit's inner-city renaissance, with their bespoke bicycles, hand-made leather goods, and hand-crafted luxury watches, Shinola's next endeavour will take further advantage of Motor City's metropolitan rebirth with the upcoming retrofit of a prime downtown location. Their next project will convert a former turn-of-the-century warehouse into a beautifully designed boutique hotel. A joint venture between Shinola and local developer Bedrock Detroit, fellow lover of all things vintage, including Detroit's numerous heritage structures remaining in the core, the Shinola Hotel will take up part of a soon-to-be-revitalized block of buildings along Woodward Avenue, which was once home to many of Detroit's most beloved shopping and entertainment venues.

Randomguy34

Sep 28, 2016, 12:10 AM

I'm really impressed with how dense all of these developments in the area are. It would be great compliment if the RTA's plan for BRT get's implemented

rlw777

Sep 28, 2016, 6:41 PM

There's now a webcam for the Little Caesar's HQ

Little Caesar's HQ webcam (http://www.districtdetroit.com/live-web-cam)

dc_denizen

Sep 29, 2016, 4:10 AM

go detroit! increasingly I could care less about developments in the US' coastal cities...but I follow detroit development with much more enthusiasm. the renovations downtown + brush park and the district detroit are huge game changers. I need to visit someday..

JonathanGRR

Sep 30, 2016, 8:55 PM

According to sources, "serious" talks have begun to build a 60,000-square-foot practice facility and bring the Pistons to the new arena. This is after the cryptic 'talks to begin talks have begun' statement made not too long ago during this year's Detroit Homecoming event: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160930/NEWS/160939979/sources-pistons-in-serious-talks-to-build-practice-facility-in#utm_medium=email&utm_source=cdb-breakingnews&utm_campaign=cdb-breakingnews-20160930

animatedmartian

Oct 2, 2016, 12:48 AM

Throwback news clips to new apartments in Palmer Park during the 1920s.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8542/29968768721_1e3f01c3c2_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLQZ)
757 Covington (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLQZ) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8137/29758176470_5d54a2a543_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr77)
1000 Whitmore (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr77) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5148/29968768611_39cf131428_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLP6)
1001 Covington (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLP6) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5015/29758176380_3dd7cd7d30_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr5y)
17524 Third Avenue (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr5y) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8508/29968768421_aa04c2c7d9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLKP)
17765 Manderson (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLKP) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8029/29938455342_e8781600bf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MBypJw)
Merton Manor (https://flic.kr/p/MBypJw) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5639/29938455202_304675c722_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MBypG7)
225 Covington Drive (https://flic.kr/p/MBypG7) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/3/2934/13954813084_ce8b25e9cd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ng94KA)
Palmer Lodge Apartments (https://flic.kr/p/ng94KA) by Scott Weir (https://www.flickr.com/photos/southofbloor/), on Flickr

bobjgumby

Oct 4, 2016, 1:16 AM

Best part is every single one of these is still standing and occupied.

Throwback news clips to new apartments in Palmer Park during the 1920s.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8542/29968768721_1e3f01c3c2_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLQZ)
757 Covington (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLQZ) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8137/29758176470_5d54a2a543_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr77)
1000 Whitmore (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr77) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5148/29968768611_39cf131428_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLP6)
1001 Covington (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLP6) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5015/29758176380_3dd7cd7d30_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr5y)
17524 Third Avenue (https://flic.kr/p/MkCr5y) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8508/29968768421_aa04c2c7d9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLKP)
17765 Manderson (https://flic.kr/p/MEeLKP) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8029/29938455342_e8781600bf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MBypJw)
Merton Manor (https://flic.kr/p/MBypJw) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5639/29938455202_304675c722_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MBypG7)
225 Covington Drive (https://flic.kr/p/MBypG7) by Bill Yagerlener (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yagerlener/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/3/2934/13954813084_ce8b25e9cd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ng94KA)
Palmer Lodge Apartments (https://flic.kr/p/ng94KA) by Scott Weir (https://www.flickr.com/photos/southofbloor/), on Flickr

skyfan

Oct 4, 2016, 5:42 AM

There's now 4 major developments in Brush Park/Brewster Douglass. Very quickly there will only be a handful of large vacant parcels of land to develop on.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/Screen%20Shot%2009-15-16%20at%2006.44%20PM_zpsudsfyde4.png

Map is a little off. Brush Park South will develop both sides of Adelaide, so it is going to share an alley with City Modern.

Docta_Love

Oct 7, 2016, 3:10 AM

I say hey why not it would certainly be an interesting addition to the cultural center. There is the obvious question of funding which is touched on and not many details are given also with the huge amount of construction going on in midtown it could be argued that this would be better suited to say the west riverfront or corktown but it certainly does fit mold for the kind of out of the box innovative project that would suit Detroit.

To be or not to be? N.Y. man wants to build Shakespearean theater out of shipping containers in Detroit

By SHERRI WELCH
October 06, 2016
Crain's Detroit Business

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161006/NEWS/161009844/AR/0/AR-161009844.jpg?MaxW=1400&v=201411210943

An idea to build a reproduction of London's Globe Theatre made entirely from shipping containers is being floated in Detroit.

Angus Vail, a New Yorker who manages the business affairs of rock musicians and opera singers, came up with the idea for the Shakespearean theater. He's designed and patented the "Container Globe," a full-size, open-air reimagining of the Globe Theatre.

Though he has had preliminary discussions with associates in Denver, Los Angeles and other cities about building the theater in one of those cities, Vail said in a release that he's most interested in bringing it to Detroit's cultural district along the Woodward Avenue corridor.

While in the city on music tours and working on trademark and intellectual property matters for his bands with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Vail said he's become a fan of Detroit.

"I love this city's grit and its stunning comeback, and also the way Detroiters support all kinds of cultural events — rock, electronic music, opera, Broadway and … Motown."

A small theater with engaged audiences participating in the action will be "a home run, or as Shakespeare might say, 'such stuff as dreams are made on,'" he said.

Vail has been in Detroit this year, sharing his vision with local companies and foundations, arts organizations and the city. The response has been "extraordinarily positive," said Bud Liebler, principal of the Liebler Group, which is assisting Vail with local outreach.

Liebler declined to say which organizations Vail has approached so far, but said the early feedback has been very encouraging.

Vail estimates the cost of building the theater, which could be disassembled and moved, would be about $6 million.

As planned, it would be lit from within and enclosed by metallic mesh to preserve an open-air feeling, while providing some protection from the elements.

The theater would have capacity for 650 seated patrons and space for another 550 to stand in the "yard."

It would operate April through October and be available to host other events, from rock concerts and other musical performances to contemporary theater conferences and educational events.

Vail's business plan calls for ticket prices ranging from $75 for seats to $10 or less for the yard to attract students and other young people.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161006/NEWS/161009844/to-be-or-not-to-be-n-y-man-wants-to-build-shakespearean-theater-out

Despite potentially only adding on 6 or so stories this project's impact would have an out sized effect bringing it in line with the scale of the many of the buildings directly surrounding campus martius and creating a bit of a step down effect in relation to its tall neighbors which is a feature of the area. Plus i'm always happy to hear when Detroit is potentially fixing a mistake made in the 70's ;).

Going (back) up: Downtown Detroit building could get more floors with new ownership
44 Michigan Ave. has 2 stories now, had 8 until 1970s

By KIRK PINHO
October 04, 2016
Crain's Detroit Business

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161004/NEWS/161009935/AR/0/AR-161009935.jpg?MaxW=1400&v=201411210943

The First Independence Bank building in downtown Detroit is shadowed by a pair of looming skyscrapers owned by Dan Gilbert: The 38-story David Stott Building to the north in Capitol Park at 1150 Griswold St. and the 23-story 1001 Woodward skyscraper at Campus Martius to the east.

But under new ownership, the squat 21,000-square-foot building at Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street could get several new stories for apartments, bringing its height slightly more in line with what surrounds it.

Roger Basmajian, a downtown real estate investor who also owns the 751 Griswold building kitty-corner from the two-story First Independence Bank building, said it's not known how many stories would be built on top of it. "Right now we are doing a structural analysis of what we have there to see what it can support," he said.

There's recent precedent for that just across the street, as Detroit-based Roxbury Group continues adding 80 new apartments in five floors atop a 10-story parking garage in a $24 million project.

Here's what's even more interesting, though. The First Independence Bank building was originally eight stories, and then six were torn down in the 1970s because of high operating expenses, making it a two-story building (along with basement space).

First Independence Bank, which was founded in 1970, was founded to provide mortgage and commercial loans to the area's underserved black community at a time when redlining made it difficult for them to buy homes.

The bank recently opened a new location in the New Center area at 7310 Woodward Ave. at the northeast corner of Grand Boulevard. The bank safes, emptied, are still in the building on Michigan Avenue in the basement and first floor.

During a tour of the building Tuesday, A.J. Weiner, the managing director in the Royal Oak office of JLL (formerly Jones Lang LaSalle), which is marketing the space, said a decision on how to proceed will be made after the space is leased out, preferably to a single user.

....

He is also one of the investors in a $52.4 million series of development projects in Paradise Valley, where he and Patricia Cole plan to create a 25- to 30-room boutique hotel called the Harmonie Club Hotel at 311 E. Grand River Ave. That project is expected to cost $13.6 million, and there are several others planned as part of the effort to redevelop properties in the small downtown enclave announced in June.

Basmajian jumped into the Detroit real estate scene a few years ago after working on development deals in Ferndale and Royal Oak.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161004/NEWS/161009935/going-back-up-downtown-detroit-building-could-get-more-floors-with

skyfan

Oct 13, 2016, 12:33 AM

Vacant building in Detroit's New Center to house Wilson Foundation, restaurant, residential units

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161012/NEWS/161019957/AR/0/ShoppesatWoodward.jpg?MaxW=880&v=201411210943

A three-story building in Detroit's New Center neighborhood will undergo a renovation, transforming the structure into the Shoppes at Woodward, which will house the nonprofit Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, a restaurant and residential units.

The building, at 6568 Woodward Ave. at West Grand Boulevard, will be redeveloped by Midtown Detroit Inc. The project represents a $6.6 million investment.

Midtown Detroit Inc. plans to restore the tin ceiling in the commercial space and replace the exterior windows with historic replicas and vintage-style awnings, bringing the building back to its 1940's style.

This project is putting a vacant building back to use," said Melinda Clemons, a senior loan officer at Capital Impact Partners, which is financing the development. "(We believe this project) will be transformational and will spur new development in the area."

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation's Center of Excellence will move its offices from Grosse Pointe Farms and occupy part of the 9,600-square-foot first floor, as well as 8,000 square feet of the second floor of the building. The first floor will also be home to a yet-to-be-named restaurant and two retail spaces. The third floor will contain 10 residential units, with three of those being "affordable" units.

The project is expected to create 37 full-time jobs.

The Shoppes at Woodward on Wednesday won a $750,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program, a program available from the Michigan Strategic Fund, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The city of Detroit has established an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act district for the site, and is expected to approve a request for a 12-year tax abatement valued at $502,451.

Midtown Detroit Inc. purchased 11 buildings in 2015 in New Center as a way to jump start the neighborhood, especially with the M-1 Rail streetcar line set to run along Woodward Avenue at Grand Boulevard.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161012/NEWS/161019957/vacant-building-in-detroits-new-center-to-house-wilson-foundation

bobjgumby

Oct 13, 2016, 12:51 PM

I really hope they restore the decoration at the top along the Grand Blvd. side.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2016/10/12/new-center-tenant/91971826/

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8e02edf78254f721d2028b6b1547f132fc0a062b/c=0-0-2272-1704&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2016/10/12/DetroitNews/B99451790Z.1_20161012191923_000_GLO168PCB.1-0.jpg

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161012/NEWS/161019957/vacant-building-in-detroits-new-center-to-house-wilson-foundation

subterranean

Oct 13, 2016, 3:12 PM

That entire block needs help, and has a lot of potential. Hopefully the first of many.

99spartan

Oct 14, 2016, 12:35 PM

animatedmartian

Oct 14, 2016, 9:58 PM

I wonder if the buildings in the render are how the new buildings are supposed to look? That 2-story building in the render seems pretty short for the Woodward street wall.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2016/10/13/demolitions-planned-shinola-hotel/92017828/

Though 2-stories isn't really that unusual in the general downtown landscape. When designed right, they can help to maintain the human scale of the streetscape. But I could see something like a pencil-thin tower being built there if the circumstances were right.

Anyway, the thing I thought was weird is that, at least based on those current renderings, there's no really any visible difference than what currently there aside from the 2-story building. Maybe just renovating all the buildings involved would have left too many odd spaces? Or maybe something structural?

Docta_Love

Oct 17, 2016, 5:39 PM

Its about time! I really like how homes other than the current museum are being saved for the front of the proposed modern museum.

Motown Museum plans $50 million expansion
Detroit facility plans to raise money for project that would add exhibits, theater, cafe

By DUSTIN WALSH
October 17, 2016
Crain's Detroit Business

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161017/NEWS/161019886/AR/0/MotownMuseumplan.jpg?MaxW=1400&v=201411210943

Detroit's famed Motown Museum plans to undergo a $50 million expansion.

The project, announced Monday morning, would add 40,000 square feet to the existing Hitsville USA house on West Grand Boulevard in the city. The expansion would house interactive exhibits, a theater, a cafe and expanded retail, said Robin Terry, chair and CEO of the museum.

The organization plans to start a donor-led fundraising effort in the near future to raise the money, Terry said.

"We've had enormous support (behind closed doors) for this concept," she said. "We feel optimistic about how the funding is going to play out."

The timing of the expansion is unknown at this time and will depend on funding, but the organization wants it to occur quickly, Terry said.

"With all of the development going on throughout the city, the QLine landing on our front door ... it has just created the perfect environment to leverage this brand that Detroit holds so dear."

Phil Freelon, managing director of Chicago-based architecture firm Perkins + Will, is serving as the lead architect on the project. Detroit-based L.S. Brinker Co. will serve as construction manager of the project, and Washington D.C.-based museum design firm Gallagher & Associates is developing the visitor experiences and exhibition design.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161017/NEWS/161019886/motown-museum-plans-50-million-expansion

The North One

Oct 25, 2016, 5:11 PM

Fresh update on Orleans Landing, it's looking really good.

nPReyq0zao8

The North One

Oct 26, 2016, 3:31 PM

Johnson Controls spinoff Adient to move headquarters from Milwaukee to metro Detroit

October 25, 2016 10:46 a.m.
By DUSTIN WALSH

Johnson Controls Inc. spinoff and soon-to-be new public company Adient Ltd. is doubling down in Southeast Michigan.

The world's largest automotive seating supplier will transition its operational headquarters from Milwaukee to metro Detroit in the coming months, said Bruce McDonald, chairman and CEO. Adient is tax domiciled in Dublin, Ireland, but the majority of its C-suite will be based in this area.

McDonald and his team will be located in a new office that the supplier is expected to secure in the next two months. Up to 600 employees will be housed in the new office location, including 100 new hires in legal, accounting, audit and treasury, McDonald said.

JCI's automotive seating business has been based in Milwaukee since 1985.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161025/NEWS/161029891/johnson-controls-spinoff-adient-to-move-headquarters-from-milwaukee

mind field

Oct 26, 2016, 7:48 PM

Johnson Controls spinoff Adient to move headquarters from Milwaukee to metro Detroit

October 25, 2016 10:46 a.m.
By DUSTIN WALSH

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161025/NEWS/161029891/johnson-controls-spinoff-adient-to-move-headquarters-from-milwaukee

Hopefully this newly formed company chooses to locate in downtown Detroit!

skyfan

Oct 31, 2016, 7:56 PM

OMG I want to see that rendering now!

Sources: 60-story building on Hudson's site one of several possibilities being considered

Dan Gilbert's team has two months to submit its development and financing plans to the Detroit Downtown Development Authority for its plan to build a new high-rise building on the former J.L. Hudson's department store site.

It's possible that building, which would sit on the vacant 2-acre site on Woodward, could come in at 60 stories, sources are telling me.

At that height, it would dwarf virtually everything surrounding it, including the nearby David Stott Building, which is 38 stories in Capitol Park at 1150 Griswold St.

The 60-story height is one of several possibilities being weighed by Gilbert's Rock Ventures LLC, I'm told. It's not known exactly how many designs are under consideration. Rock Senior Communications Manager Carolyn Artman said the company "doesn't comment on rumors and speculation."

Renderings of the planned structure were expected to be released within two months of a DDA vote on April 27, but they have not yet been made public.

I'm told that at least part of the reason for that Gilbert's team has yet to decide on the exact programming for the building.

A year ago, after the release of a conceptual rendering of the site, Gilbert said in a statement that although the plans were evolving, it was expected to become the site of "an iconic building that will have some ties to Detroit's past, but more importantly, represent Detroit's rebirth into a creative and high-tech future."

One of the most recent formal actions on the project was the DDA approval of the sale of a 900-space parking garage underneath the site. Officials said at the time that the project includes at least 225,000 square feet of mixed use space, 700 parking spaces and 250 residential units. Dozens of retailers and restaurants are expected to be part of the project, which has been in the works for years.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161031/BLOG016/161039966/sources-60-story-building-on-hudsons-site-one-of-several

rlw777

Oct 31, 2016, 8:10 PM

^ Depending on the programming this could be the tallest building in Detroit.

99spartan

Oct 31, 2016, 9:40 PM

Based on other buildings in the city, this building could even be 800ft tall. Also, the Franklin Center in Chicago is 60 stories and 1,007ft
OMG I want to see that rendering now!

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161031/BLOG016/161039966/sources-60-story-building-on-hudsons-site-one-of-several

subterranean

Oct 31, 2016, 9:42 PM

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is 60 stories. It stands at 209 meters/686 ft. Ren Cen is 696' at the top floor. If true, it would be close. Head and shoulders above most everything else.

Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte is 60 stories. It's 871' / 265m.

99spartan

Oct 31, 2016, 11:42 PM

Hopefully it's the latter. I feel like Dan Gilbert isn't going to be shy when it comes to height since he has the chance to make something tall.
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is 60 stories. It stands at 209 meters/686 ft. Ren Cen is 696' at the top floor. If true, it would be close. Head and shoulders above most everything else.

Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte is 60 stories. It's 871' / 265m.

The ATX

Nov 1, 2016, 12:43 AM

This is great news. It will be impressive to see something taller than the Renaissance Center dominate the skyline.

rlw777

Nov 1, 2016, 1:49 AM

Hopefully it's the latter. I feel like Dan Gilbert isn't going to be shy when it comes to height since he has the chance to make something tall.

As I said earlier it depends on the programming. Office has taller floor heights than residential. That's why (to refer the comment at the top of this page) BoA Corporate Center in Charlotte is so much taller than Waldorf Astoria.

99spartan

Nov 2, 2016, 4:56 PM

davidberko

Nov 2, 2016, 7:33 PM

432 Park Avenue in NYC Is a residential skyscraper that is 85 stories and is 1,396 feet tall. If it were 60 stories it would be 985 feet tall, so the Hudsons tower could quite possibly be this height. It could even be over 1000 feet if they add a spire. I don't know if this is realistic, but I'd love if it was this tall.

Wow, the suspense is killing me! Go Detroit! I wanna do a road trip out that way this coming spring. I miss it.

Looking forward to the Gores announcement to make it official that the Pistons will be at the Little Caesar's Arena for the start of the 2017-2018 season. I like the Palace, a lot actually, been to multiple Pistons games there and a concert. But it's just not in the right location. It's too bad.

rlw777

Nov 3, 2016, 5:09 PM

432 Park Avenue in NYC Is a residential skyscraper that is 85 stories and is 1,396 feet tall. If it were 60 stories it would be 985 feet tall, so the Hudsons tower could quite possibly be this height. It could even be over 1000 feet if they add a spire. I don't know if this is realistic, but I'd love if it was this tall.

The floor heights on the towers on Billionaire's row in NYC (like 432 park) are tall because of floor area ratio limits and because there is demand for $100 million condos that can justify the cost of engineering, materials and labor. That isn't happening anywhere else in the world right now and it's certainly not going to happen on the Hudsons site in Detroit. If this has a residential component it will have standard 10' floor heights if it's office probably 13' floor heights.

animatedmartian

Nov 3, 2016, 9:37 PM

Updated rendering for Dan Gilbert's 'microlofts'.

New 260-square-foot microlofts being built in Downtown Detroit
By Dana Afana. Mlive Detroit. November 3rd, 2016.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/-222500eba43b6f64_zpsekx7qci8.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/-ec5e284464f664d1_zpsolalftm4.jpg

The developers of a new 13-story residential building downtown offered a peek Thursday inside a model of 218 microlofts to be built in the Capitol Park project.

Quicken founder Dan Gilbert's Bedrock Real Estate Services is building 28Grand, a ground-up, "all inclusive type of living" development on the corner of Griswold Street and Grand River Avenue.

The 260-square-foot apartments are fully furnished and contain wood floors, large windows with a city view and high-rise ceilings with room for storage above cabinets and shelves. The kitchen contains several cabinets, a large sink, microwave and a half-sized stove top.

Steve Rosenthal, principal at Bedrock, said there will be 133 market-rate units and 85 more affordable living units. He said the lower-priced units will be reserved for people with income levels around $28,000 and below, and will start at about $703 a month.

Complete rental rates will be released between February and March, and the first move-in ready apartment is expected to be available in June 2017.

.....

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/11/28grand.html

Also...

New York investors spend $1.425M on property in Detroit's Brush Park
By Paula Gardner. Mlive Detroit November 3rd, 2016.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/-14e68c9591d4120f_zpsca8nu5tn.png

Downtown Detroit redevelopment opportunities continue to attract the attention of investors, with the latest deal involving a New York firm that bought two vacant World War I-era industrial buildings and adjacent land in Brush Park.

Astral Weeks, a private real estate developer based in New York City,
specializes in both new and repurposed commercial properties, according to its website.

The winning bid was $1.425 million, according to TEN-X, the auction firm publicizing the sale.

While company officials have not been available to comment, the property is in predevelopment, according to the Astral Weeks website.

"With a focus on dynamic urban neighborhoods, Astral Weeks develops ground-up market-rate and affordable apartments, and repurposes commercial and manufacturing properties for the burgeoning technology, creative and design sectors," the website says.

....

The Astral Weeks purchase and the company's tie to both ground-up development - including affordable housing - with building renovations seems to position it as a developer aligned with the goals for the neighborhood.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/11/new_york_investors_buy_develop.html

99spartan

Nov 3, 2016, 9:52 PM

Did anyone else notice One Woodward Avenue on the TV in the apartment image? I can't even tell what's on top of it.

animatedmartian

Nov 4, 2016, 3:25 AM

Btw, here's some construction pics of 28 Grand. It's already more than half way up now.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/DSC03530_zpsfubwyklg.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/DSC03525_zps3ophfrye.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/DSC03520_zpsyajn85fm.jpg

http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/11/03/look-inside-future-260-square-foot-micro-lofts-new-28grand/

rlw777

Nov 4, 2016, 2:56 PM

^ all of your images are broken.

Here are a few from the article

http://www.dailydetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC03530.jpg

http://www.dailydetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/DSC03520.jpg

animatedmartian

Nov 4, 2016, 6:02 PM

^ all of your images are broken.

Ah, Photobucket is down for maintenance it seems.

skyfan

Nov 7, 2016, 10:07 PM

Excellent news.

Adient expected to move about 500 employees to downtown Detroit's Marquette Building

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161107/NEWS/161109876/AR/0/AR-161109876.jpg?MaxW=880&v=201411210943

Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to announce Nov. 22 that Adient Ltd. is moving into the downtown Detroit building owned by a Mexican billionaire.

The relocation for the auto seat maker, newly spun off from former parent company Johnson Controls Inc., adds a major corporate player to a downtown that has lured other big companies in recent years, notably that of Dan Gilbert's Quicken Loans Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan moving thousands of employees from Southfield.

Duggan's office said Monday afternoon in a media advisory that he is expected on Nov. 22 to make an announcement about a Fortune 200 company making "a significant investment in the City of Detroit that will bring hundreds of jobs downtown."

Sources said that company is Adient, and that it is expected to move about 500 employees into the Marquette Building at 243 W. Congress St. Adient is first Fortune 500 company to relocate its headquarters to Southeast Michigan since BorgWarner Inc. moved to Auburn Hills in 2004.

The announcement is scheduled to take place in Cobo Center, which is directly across the street from the Marquette Building, which telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim Helu purchased at the end of 2014 for $5.8 million.

The building is 164,000 square feet and vacant above the first floor, where there is currently a coffee shop.

Adient declined to confirm whether it is moving to the city.

Adient, the world's largest automotive seating supplier, was weighing space in the city and Southfield.

The North One

Nov 7, 2016, 10:44 PM

^ Amazing

mind field

Nov 8, 2016, 2:02 AM

Excellent news.

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

While it's not truly official yet, I'm so glad Adient chose Detroit over Southfield. A beautiful building will be brought back to life, more customers for downtown businesses, more tenants for apartments, and more buyers for Detroit real estate. Bank of America, what are you still doing in Troy? Get your asses downtown!

rlw777

Nov 18, 2016, 3:00 PM

Ford UAW commit 6 million toward 50 million motown museum project (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161118/NEWS/161119807/ford-uaw-commit-6-million-toward-50-million-motown-museum-project) from Crains

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161118/NEWS/161119807/AR/0/AR-161119807.jpg?MaxW=880&v=201411210943

In recognition of the support, the expanded museum will include:

The Ford Motor Company Theater, a state-of-the-art performance venue
Educational, music and other programming tied to Ford's student and community outreach initiatives
CARaoke Experience, an interactive Ford-branded activity that incorporates music with Ford vehicles.
Ford as the museum's official vehicle

Docta_Love

Nov 18, 2016, 3:38 PM

Update on New Center, the 60% occupied Fisher Building's renovation kicks into high gear u[date on Albert Kahn Building and on new and planned construction. The area seems to have been under performing over the past ten years despite seeing major investments such as the business incubator Tech Town and the renovation of GM's old H.Q. and former R&D facility into a state office and the new campus for the College for Creative Studies. With the M-1 rail nearing its opening date and most of the large contiguous class a office space occupied downtown we should hopefully see the same kind of vibrancy in the near future for new center that downtown and midtown have been able to create, not to mention the importance of the area in connecting greater downtown with the strong upper woodward neighborhoods and the woodward corridor burbs. Interestingly enough there is a link shown in the article between the work being done to revitalize N.C. and work being done to revitalize the University District.

Work underway on $100 million Fisher, Albert Kahn building projects
By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
11-15-16

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161115/NEWS/161119871/AR/0/AR-161119871.jpg?MaxW=1400&v=201411210943

A $100 million effort to restore the Fisher Building and redevelop the nearby Albert Kahn Building in Detroit is underway.

The buildings, which were purchased last year at auction for $12.2 million along with a pair of parking decks with more than 2,000 parking spaces, are among the largest redevelopment efforts in the greater downtown core in the works.

Plans call for turning the Albert Kahn Building, which is only about 20 percent occupied, into 162 apartments on the third through 11th floors, keeping office space on the second floor and using the first floor and concourse area as retail space, said Dietrich Knoer, principal of Detroit-based The Platform LLC along with developer Peter Cummings, one of the owners of the buildings.

Construction is expected to begin on the Albert Kahn Building in the third or fourth quarter next year and take 15-18 months to complete, Knoer said.

The other owners are New York City-based HFZ Capital Partners and New York City-based Rheal Capital Management, which is owned by Detroit native John Rhea. Southfield-based Redico LLC was part of the four-headed investment group that purchased the buildings last summer but it sold off its ownership interest.

Perhaps the largest challenge, though, is the restoration of the Fisher Building, one of the city's architectural masterpieces that is just about 60 percent occupied. The Fisher has 635,000 square feet, while the Albert Kahn has 290,000.

Exterior work on the building's marble, plus work on interior painting and fresco restoration in the building's arcade, began this fall, according to a news release.

"It is more than just a beautiful building or a landmark; it is a beacon in the heart of Detroit for all of Detroit. It is the beacon of our city, both of its past and its future," Cummings said in the release.

"We cannot revitalize New Center without reanimating and revitalizing the Fisher Building," Knoer said in a Tuesday morning interview. "We are looking at a variety of uses. The building already has retail, entertainment with the Fisher Theater, parking, office."

Knoer said the projects are expected to be financed using a mix of debt, equity and federal historic tax credits.

....

Separately, The Platform has about $250 million in mixed-use projects in the works that the company says will bring about 1,000 apartments and 100,000 to 150,000 square feet of retail space to the market in Midtown, New Center and around TechTown.

The projects include the 231-unit Third and Grand, a $53 million project under construction next to the Fisher Building, and Baltimore Station, a $40 million plan to put 160-170 apartments at Woodward Avenue and Baltimore Street.

There is also the planned redevelopment of an Albert Kahn-designed building at Cass Avenue and York Street that used to be a Cadillac sales and service building and house Wayne State University criminal justice classes. About 80 residential units and other uses are planned for the 147,500-square-foot building.

The Platform has also been investing in northwest Detroit, the Islandview area near Belle Isle and near the University of Detroit Mercy.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161115/NEWS/161119871/work-underway-on-100-million-fisher-albert-kahn-building-projects

bobjgumby

Nov 18, 2016, 4:55 PM

Here is a link to a site with pictures of the current conditions of the ceiling in the Fisher Building retail arcade. I am not posting the images as the owner of the site prefers they not be shared elsewhere.

http://detroitfunk.com/saving-the-fisher-building/

Update on New Center, the 60% occupied Fisher Building's renovation kicks into high gear u[date on Albert Kahn Building and on new and planned construction. The area seems to have been under performing over the past ten years despite seeing major investments such as the business incubator Tech Town and the renovation of GM's old H.Q. and former R&D facility into a state office and the new campus for the College for Creative Studies. With the M-1 rail nearing its opening date and most of the large contiguous class a office space occupied downtown we should hopefully see the same kind of vibrancy in the near future for new center that downtown and midtown have been able to create, not to mention the importance of the area in connecting greater downtown with the strong upper woodward neighborhoods and the woodward corridor burbs. Interestingly enough there is a link shown in the article between the work being done to revitalize N.C. and work being done to revitalize the University District.

rlw777

Nov 18, 2016, 6:53 PM

Here's an interesting tidbit.

Development heavyweights weigh in on the future of detroit (http://detroit.curbed.com/2016/11/18/13678126/development-future-detroit) from crubed

Sue Mosey from Midtown Detroit Inc consulted a magic 8 ball for her predictions, but two stuck out. She said that New Center would become the next Midtown, and that it could be possible that we could see a 20-story building at Woodward and Warren.

rlw777

Nov 22, 2016, 7:18 PM

The Metropolitan gets state $6.5 million loan (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161122/NEWS/161129959/new-extended-stay-hotel-project-in-detroit-gets-6-5-million-state) from Crains

A $32 million extended-stay hotel planned for downtown Detroit has moved forward with the approval of a $6.5 million performance-based loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The loan will round out financing for the project, which will also include debt financing, historic and new markets tax credits and an investment on the part of the developer, Metropolitan Hotel Partners LLC.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CD/20161122/NEWS/161129959/AR/0/AR-161129959.jpg?MaxW=440&v=201411210943

animatedmartian

Nov 22, 2016, 11:40 PM

Some random pics from around town. This is the recently renovated student center.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/20161122_114536_zpshznbabd7.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/20161122_114035_zpswtusmmcp.jpg

Q-Line track and wires.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/20161122_111953_zpsq3uizca4.jpg

Also a couple of stations.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/ce27c33d-0d63-4a9b-a3aa-89611563953e_zpsn1q3cn9s.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/c86c768c-87e7-4da8-bca3-971c8222df32_zpswcvrbdel.jpg

It also looks like they've added what I presume is an elevator shaft or extra stairwell onto the Wulitzer.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/20161105_182349_zpsfdtnkf8w.jpg

animatedmartian

Nov 26, 2016, 1:14 AM

I'm going to make a separate thread for this in the general development forum so this doesn't get lost in the thread clutter.

Large Brush Park project to start construction next week

By Daily Detroit Staff -Nov 25, 2016

The Brush Park neighborhood of Detroit at one time was full of the stately homes of some of the big leaders in the city.

There was a ton of buzz about the rehabilitation of the Ransom Gillis house last year, but there’s more to what’s going to happen to the neighborhood just east of Woodward and steps from the new Little Caesars Arena and the new QLINE.

Later this week major construction will kick off on what some estimate to be a $70 million or more investment into an area just larger than a city block that is going to remake this section of greater downtown Detroit.

The name of this is “City Modern Detroit,” designed as a walkable community whose website quotes urbanists like Jane Jacobs. The construction style is very modern set next to historic homes. The rough boundaries are going to be John R., Alfred, Brush and Edmond Place. It’ll contain about 410 residential units (up from previous estimates in the 330 range) and something like 20,000 square feet of retail.

....

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/IMG_0285_zpsi3sucytb.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/02-840x420_zpspqonsoyc.jpg

http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/11/25/pics-renderings-large-brush-park-project-start-construction-next-week/

animatedmartian

Nov 29, 2016, 8:46 PM

Report: 1,600 Multifamily Units to be Delivered in Detroit Next Year
BY EMMA KLUG November 29, 2016 .

More than 540 multifamily units have been built this year in Detroit, and more than 1,600 units are expected by 2018, says a new report from JLL, a professional services and investment management firm with offices in Royal Oak.

According to the firm’s report, most of the new development to date has been concentrated in 7.2 square miles of Detroit, which includes the downtown district, Midtown, Eastern Market, New Center, and Corktown. Just over 1,550 units have also been added in Detroit overall over the last five years, and there are currently 37 proposed projects that would add another 5,000 units.

“Expect an increase in mid- to (high-rise), mixed-use product to come to market, creating dense walkable neighborhoods,” says Aaron Moore, a multifamily associate at JLL, in the report.

More than $10 billion has been invested within Detroit in the last decade, and 16,000 new jobs have moved to the city since 2010, the report says.

....

http://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/Annual-2016/Report-1600-Multifamily-Units-to-be-Delivered-in-Detroit-Next-Year/

Speaking of one that's pretty close to finished...

https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/15288538_10153830204575882_4127708393574660336_o.jpg

https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15241938_10153830204580882_471148545449635831_n.jpg?oh=e27fc2aecaed666b85e2418dc78a12e0&oe=58FC59A2

https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15220063_10153830204550882_576391979465499348_n.jpg?oh=f9fbde1330df04ea1f2f71fa18e85036&oe=58AF8D1F

https://www.facebook.com/thekraemeredge/posts/10153830204880882

animatedmartian

Nov 29, 2016, 11:48 PM

Gilbert launches Brush Park homes, vows to take Detroit 'vertical'
John Gallagher , Detroit Free Press. November 29, 2016.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/636160307458063313-2016-1129-mo-Gilbert657_zpsnlz3rort.jpg
(Photo: Max Ortiz, The Detroit News)

Businessman Dan Gilbert promised Tuesday to launch multiple new building projects in Detroit to help the city "go vertical."

Up to now, the billionaire founder and chairman of Quicken Loans has made his mark renovating older office buildings downtown. His only ground-up construction so far has been his Z Garage downtown.

But at a ceremony Tuesday to launch construction of his new City Modern project, a 410-unit residential building in Brush Park, Gilbert said the "horizontal era" of renovating older buildings is coming to an end.

"Now it's about vertical," he told a large audience including Mayor Mike Duggan at the Brush Park ceremony. "We're going to build a lot of stuff in Detroit. There's a huge demand. A lot of people say, 'Are you guys sort of done?' They ask the mayor the same question; they ask other developers that. I don't think we've started yet."

In Toronto, Gilbert noted, a score of construction cranes stand out on the skyline. Other cities including Chicago are likewise building significant projects. That's his vision for Detroit.

"It talks about the future, the optimism, the can-do efforts," he said. "Nothing gives more hope, in my opinion, than new construction in cities. That's always a sign of good things to come. I'm very, very excited about the future. We're just getting going here."

Gilbert didn't identify any of his future projects, but one that's been in the works for a long time involves the site of the former Hudson's store on Woodward Avenue in the heart of downtown. Gilbert and his team have worked for the past couple of years on plans for a major new development on the site, releasing a rendering of an architecturally innovative structure that might rise there. So far, Gilbert has remained mum on any details.

....

http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/2016/11/29/detroit-duggan-gilbert-bedrock/94615206/

skyfan

Nov 30, 2016, 4:05 AM

This came out of nowhere!

Sources: Gilbert's Monroe Block plan includes at least 20 stories of office, residential component

A large-scale development on the Monroe Block in downtown Detroit calls for at least 20 stories of office space and a residential development wrapped around the building, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The Detroit Downtown Development Authority is expected to meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday to hear more details about the plan by an entity tied to Dan Gilbert, the billionaire founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc. and Rock Ventures LLC.

Additional details about the plan — including the number of residential units, total office space square footage and overall cost of the plan — were not known Tuesday evening. More information is expected to presented during the DDA meeting that will be held in the Guardian Building.

A least two nondescript buildings on the same block as the historic National Theatre building are expected to be demolished as part of the development plan, sources said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161129/NEWS/161129862/sources-gilberts-monroe-block-plan-includes-at-least-20-stories-of?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

rlw777

Nov 30, 2016, 9:02 PM

Monroe Block Proposal from Bedrock

http://i.imgur.com/LDWgNF1.jpg

Renderings provided by Bedrock show the 20-story office tower rising on what is now a surface parking lot at Woodward and Monroe directly east of Campus Martius. The 15-story residential tower rises next to it. Further east, a combination of low-rise and a mid-rise residential towers are depicted. In all, at least 250 residential units could be created in the project.

All the images resulted from a master planning exercise and do not represent a final design concept, since Bedrock has yet to hire an architect for the project. - from Freep (http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/2016/11/30/gilbert-detroit-development-bedrock/94628514/)

uaarkson

Dec 1, 2016, 12:07 AM

Hnnnnnnngggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

The North One

Dec 1, 2016, 12:39 AM

They don't represent the final design as in if Gilbert's state legislation doesn't pass the project will be downsized.

The whole development looks amazing with a strong emphasis on the pedestrian and walkability, Gilbert really knows what he's doing, bravo.

https://media.clickondetroit.com/photo/2016/11/30/Monroe%20Blocks%20Campus%20Martius%20rendering%201_1480538997166_8449409_ver1.0.jpg

https://media.clickondetroit.com/photo/2016/11/30/Monroe%20Blocks%20map_1480539151109_8449410_ver1.0.jpg

https://media.clickondetroit.com/photo/2016/11/30/Monroe%20Blocks%20Campus%20Martius%20rendering%20GOOD_1480539653499_8449413_ver1.0.jpg

https://media.clickondetroit.com/photo/2016/11/30/Monroe%20Blocks%20Campus%20Martius%20rendering%203_1480538997161_8449408_ver1.0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tlkMjaL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/grdEo7F.jpg

Read more at the source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/gilbert-unveils-plan-for-first-downtown-detroit-high-rise-since-2003

Docdusha

Dec 1, 2016, 1:43 AM

http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/146782460@N02/shares/6kryjLhttp://https://www.flickr.com/photos/146782460@N02/shares/G3E2V9

animatedmartian

Dec 1, 2016, 2:37 AM

http://i.imgur.com/tlkMjaL.jpg

That's actually pretty cool how to preserve the facade of the National Theater. It's like a gateway into a new neighborhood. It reminds me of the sort of gates you see in Chinatown neighborhoods.

The North One

Dec 1, 2016, 2:46 AM

That's actually pretty cool how to preserve the facade of the National Theater. It's like a gateway into a new neighborhood. It reminds me of the sort of gates you see in Chinatown neighborhoods.

Yeah, I really love that idea.

It's like Detroit's own unique little Arc de Triomphe. I think it's a very creative and awesome way to honor the building.

rlw777

Dec 1, 2016, 2:20 PM

Griswold Construction Album (https://www.flickr.com/photos/146782460@N02/shares/6kryjL)

You should use "Insert Link" instead of "Insert Image" for these URLs as they are urls for an album instead of for an image. I removed one of the links which was to the same album but with fewer pictures and fixed the other link above.

Warrenite84

Dec 1, 2016, 6:39 PM

Although these are just preliminary plans, the Monroe Block looks promising to me. IMHO, he could do much better for the Bates Block part of the plan. I would prefer a Vancouver type midrise on that block with perhaps a couple residential towers on a 5-7 story base.

Leave the European style low buildings for outside the CBD.

subterranean

Dec 1, 2016, 10:39 PM

That's actually pretty cool how to preserve the facade of the National Theater. It's like a gateway into a new neighborhood. It reminds me of the sort of gates you see in Chinatown neighborhoods.

Even though I agree with you that it looks cool and is an interesting concept, the part that I don't understand is that it looks as though there is absolutely nothing behind it except walkway. Which begs the question, why does it have to be demo'd?

animatedmartian

Dec 1, 2016, 11:05 PM

Even though I agree with you that it looks cool and is an interesting concept, the part that I don't understand is that it looks as though there is absolutely nothing behind it except walkway. Which begs the question, why does it have to be demo'd?

http://www.detroiturbex.com/content/parksandrec/national/index.html

The outside facade is the most well-preserved part of the building. The inside is pretty far gone (even compared to other famously dilapidated Detroit landmarks) pretty much to the point that it wouldn't even be a restoration and would probably need to be completely rebuilt/redesigned. Also theaters are kind of tricky to put back into use if there's really no demand for a venue of that size.

subterranean

Dec 1, 2016, 11:27 PM

Thanks. I hadn't realized how bad it was. Still, it's too bad.

animatedmartian

Dec 2, 2016, 10:16 PM

The Platform's 181-unit development in TechTown moves ahead with WSU vote
By KIRK PINHO. December 2, 2016.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/AR-161209958_zpsel5galzg.jpg

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/V2-161209958_zpslgj50m0k.jpg

About 181 residential units are expected to be built at Cass Avenue and York Street in TechTown Detroit following a Wayne State University board vote Friday afternoon.

The board approved a development agreement, ground lease and purchase agreement for the university's former criminal justice building at 6001 Cass Ave. and a portion of the 220-space parking lot at 445 York St.

With those properties, Detroit-based The Platform LLC plans a redevelopment of the Albert Kahn-designed building that would have 69 residences. The building is being sold for $2 million.

Another 64 apartments and 48 condominiums would be built as part of the project, which would also include an art gallery for Wayne State's exclusive use, according to a board document. A news release from The Platform says 32,500 square feet of retail space is planned.

"We are excited to bring this important structure back to active use and have it serve as a critical component in the growth of the TechTown neighborhood," Dietrich Knoer, principal of The Platform, stated in the release.

Wayne State is committing up to $2.4 million for construction of the 6,000-square-foot art gallery.

.....
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161202/NEWS/161209958/the-platforms-181-unit-development-in-techtown-moves-ahead-with-wsu

The North One

Dec 2, 2016, 11:35 PM

48 condominiums

Condominiums are in really short supply in the city, this is great news.

More renders on here: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/wsu-board-approves-2-million-sale-of-former-criminal-justice-building-in-detroits-new-center

bobjgumby

Dec 4, 2016, 2:53 AM

Unfortunately the cornice was removed in 2014. Hopefully they plan on restoring that feature, it really changed the look of the building.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161202/NEWS/161209958/the-platforms-181-unit-development-in-techtown-moves-ahead-with-wsu

skyfan

Dec 4, 2016, 5:50 PM

Little Caesar's HQ progress

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyhgUcHWIAAOFkj.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/DistrictDetroit

photoLith

Dec 5, 2016, 9:13 AM

So, this isn't really development related but me and a friend came here to Detroit for the first time ever to photograph and the first stop we made was at the packard factory. We weren't even trespassing, just taking photos of the outside and security there stabbed two of his tires and put a sticker on his window for trespassing about ten minutes after we got there. The tires and tow truck was about 400 dollars and we were stuck there for a good three hours while it got dark in a shady neighborhood. Have you guys heard of this happening before? There has to be legal action to take against these pieces of shit "security" guards.

subterranean

Dec 5, 2016, 6:06 PM

That is definitely NOT legal. Hopefully you got some identifying information. Either way, I would call the authorities.

The North One

Dec 5, 2016, 6:24 PM

Where exactly was your friend's car parked? The site is massive you possibly parked on their property without knowing it. You probably should have done some research before heading directly there, the Packard plant has been crawling with security and cleanup for about a year now, it's planned for redevelopment starting in spring: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/11/30/redevelopment-detroits-packard-plant-could-begin-spring/94697090/

If you didn't meet any guards and never got names I'm not sure what you could do or how you could even prove security were the ones who slashed your tires.

The first thing you do when you get to Detroit is to take some ruin porn pics of Packard? I can't help but to roll my eyes. The days of mindlessly exploring vacant sites in Detroit are pretty much long gone.

davidberko

Dec 5, 2016, 7:38 PM

subterranean

Dec 5, 2016, 8:02 PM

If your car was parked on a public street and your tires were slashed by a security company, it's a crime regardless of what you were doing. There is an entire thread stickied at the top of the photography forum about photographers' rights. Slashing tires is illegal, even if you were trespassing and your car was on public property.

photoLith

Dec 5, 2016, 8:26 PM

The car was parked on a public street two blocks away. When we get back home we're going to figure it out and hopefully get some justice against these dicks.

Anyways, other than the disaster that happened I must say detroits downtown is incredible. Looks like nearly every abandoned building is being renovated downtown. Didn't know that a new light rail line is getting built as well, that will help out Downtown immensely. Took tons of photos and will be posting the construction stuff when I get back on wednesday. Also, just went into the Gaurdian Building and holy crap it's inredible. The most beautiful Art Deco interior I've ever seen.

The North One

Dec 5, 2016, 8:33 PM

Huh, that's very strange and unfortunate indeed, I'm sorry that happened to you and hope you get justice. Although glad you enjoyed everything else.

Don't forget to check out Belle Isle and the Scott fountain! If you wanna get an idea of the entire metro; Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Troy and Ann Arbor are worth a look.

rlw777

Dec 5, 2016, 10:00 PM

photoLith

Dec 5, 2016, 10:31 PM

^
Yeah I went to the fisher building earlier, the gaurdian building is better I think, very unique Aztec inspired Art Deco. On a sidenote, has the development really ramped up downtown recently?

subterranean

Dec 5, 2016, 10:47 PM

mind field

Dec 6, 2016, 5:45 PM

^
Yeah I went to the fisher building earlier, the gaurdian building is better I think, very unique Aztec inspired Art Deco. On a sidenote, has the development really ramped up downtown recently?

Welcome to Detroit! The Guardian does have a majestic lobby, a must see when in downtown Detroit. Since 2000, downtown and midtown have improved on every single metric. A world class riverfront and a world class public square have been developed. Dozens of companies have relocated from the suburbs to downtown, bringing thousands of employees with them, and companies already downtown have brought their suburban workers downtown. The Q line is ready to open next year. It is a start on what will hopefully be a light rail line extending all the way up Woodward Avenue into Oakland County, however there are no current plans for that yet. Downtown Detroit now has the most walkable sports district in the United States, after the Detroit Pistons announced they will share the under construction Little Caesars Arena with the Detroit Red Wings beginning next season. The Detroit Lions moved downtown from their suburban address in the early 2000s. It's true nearly every major abandoned building in downtown is being renovated, has been recently renovated, or will be renovated in the near future. I highly suggest Capitol Park, once forlorn and abandoned, now every building surrounding the park is undergoing renovation. The pace of development has only increased over the last few years. There is a rumored proposal of a new 60 story tower downtown on the site of the former Hudson's department store on Woodward. If 15 years ago you told anyone that paid attention to the Detroit development scene what would transpire over the course of the next couple of decades, they would probably find it hard to believe. It's been remarkable to watch.

mousquet

Dec 7, 2016, 8:23 PM

@photoLith, I'm wondering, reading your story, they may as well be tired of people shooting their ruins on camera.

Just saying cause if you ever wandered by yourself to a decaying ghetto to take pictures of it where I live, especially in the afternoon when they're up, it's not the tires of your car that gangsters of the neighborhood would stab...

In a nutshell, you obviously should stick to safe areas where there's no marginalized population. Just take care.

JonathanGRR

Dec 9, 2016, 7:26 PM

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0bf808f91e8cc9229bd531632ccaca41a1c7c1cb/c=0-1-1526-1145&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2016/12/08/DetroitNews/B99471544Z.1_20161208221825_000_GCR18KPSA.1-0.jpg
Restaurants, apartments planned for Broadway in Detroit
Ian Thibodeau | December 9, 2016

Detroit — Work is years away from wrapping on a multimillion development in Detroit’s Paradise Valley district downtown, but the project has already spurred development on nearby blocks.

Roger Basmajian, president of real estate company Basco of Michigan, said he’ll spend roughly $11 million renovating and adding two floors to three properties on the 1300 block of Broadway. Two restaurants, office space and 30 residential units are part of the renovation across the street from the Punch Bowl Social entertainment complex.
...
Broadway cuts between the Paradise Valley district and Gilbert’s Z Garage site, which in addition to parking houses multiple restaurants, bars and stores. Basmajian’s buildings on Broadway are some of the last vacant buildings on the block, as only part of one of the buildings is occupied by a convenience store.

“We want to reinvigorate that street,” he said. “We’re very much about placemaking ... We definitely have kind of a site plan we see connecting the developments.”

Basmajian said he’s working closely with developers behind the Paradise Valley project.

The other restaurant will have an alleyway entrance, which Basmajian said is a step to mirror alleyway activation seen at the Z Garage across Broadway, where multiple bars and art galleries use the alley as an extension of the sidewalk.

“We like walkability,” Basmajian said. “We like a challenge.”

The developer bought the space at 1322 Broadway in 2015. In an early December meeting, the Detroit Downtown Development Authority sold him the two other buildings for $800,000.

According to the development agreement with the DDA, the properties were primed for redevelopment given work underway in the adjacent districts.

Basmajian plans to “bring the historic facade back up” on the three buildings, which are in poor shape inside and out.
...
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2016/12/08/broadway-development-downtown/95176434/