DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown [Archive] - Page 48

Docta_Love

Apr 23, 2018, 8:39 PM

Arcade pops up in Beacon Park

Crain's Detroit

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/robotics-02_i.jpg?itok=DYb2-VSg

A free arcade, lawn games and LED putt-putt golf are set up at Beacon Park in Detroit as city partners prepare for more than 35,000 visitors to the city for next week's FIRST Championship robotics competition at Cobo Center.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/air%20hockey-01_i.jpg?itok=ePK_ELs1

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/soccer-03_i.jpg?itok=C4lO2QY_

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/turf%20field-07_i.jpg?itok=9ifdCcRo

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/gallery/20180420/photos/658676/photos-arcade-pops-up-in-beacon-park

Dequindre Cut Freight Yard to open May 19 with party, BYOB camping

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
April 20, 2018

-Freight yard to include local retailers, live entertainment, food and drink vendors
-Tour and information session set for Tuesday
-Retail vendor applications open

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/freight%20yard-main_i.jpg?itok=vhx2BomQ

The freight yard — nine repurposed shipping containers stacked along the greenway just north of the Division Street Bridge — has been in the works for a few years. A preview took place last fall.

"It's going to be good to finally have some significant activation there," said Dina Bankole, market manager with the Build Institute, a Detroit-based entrepreneurship incubator that is managing the project in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/freight%20yard-01_i.jpg?itok=hdqlmFBz

Build Institute will handle the retail side of programming, which includes eight pavilion spots available for entrepreneurs and small business owners and overflow space in Eastern Market during busy days. Vendor hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180420/news/658631/dequindre-cut-freight-yard-to-open-may-19-with-party-byob-camping

Downtown Holiday Inn Express to get renovation, new brand — with a twist

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
April 22, 2018

-Downtown Detroit hotel expected to undergo transformation to Hotel Indigo
-Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Detroit is the latest investment for program
-Project Destined offers lessons in life and business

A downtown Detroit hotel in a key location has changed hands and is expected to undergo a transformation into a boutique hotel in the next 12-18 months.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Detroit is also the latest investment for Project Destined, an effort that provides high school students in Detroit — along with a handful of other cities in separate but similar efforts — with real-world real estate and business experience by immersing them in the industry, from its beginning phases like deal sourcing and property acquisition all the way through completion of a renovation or redevelopment project.

New York City-based Glenmont Capital Management along with two other out-of-state investors, Project Destined co-founders Cedric Bobo and Fred Greene, bought the 241-room hotel and Washington Boulevard and Michigan Avenue last week for an undisclosed price.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180422/news/658776/downtown-holiday-inn-express-to-get-renovation-new-brand-with-a-twist

Medical, cosmetic spa to fill last retail space in the Albert

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
April 20, 2018

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/the%20albert-main_i.jpg?itok=S0-xm-kE

A cosmetic office offering Botox, chemical peels and a fat-reduction procedure called CoolSculpting expects to open the first week of May in the Albert building in Detroit's Capitol Park.

BOYD,which offers medical, surgical and cosmetic services, will fill the last open retail space at the apartment complex, Detroit-based Broder & Sachse Real Estate Inc. announced in a news release. Broder & Sachse redeveloped and now manages the building.

BOYD's main office is in Birmingham, and it has a satellite office in Ann Arbor, office manager Jennifer Pokorski said.

....

The 1,700-square-foot office will act more like a "med spa" than doctor's office, Pokorski said. It won't offer plastic surgery.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180420/news/658696/medical-cosmetic-spa-to-fill-last-retail-space-in-the-albert

DetroitSky

Apr 26, 2018, 3:23 AM

Lakeshore Global Building in Detroit's New Center to be Developed (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2018/04/25/platform-buys-lakeshore-global-building-detroit-new-center/34239151/)

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8e6126497e70fba970bae302e5e91392c1e3a317/c=0-0-4032-3024&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2018/04/25/DetroitNews/B99653607Z.1_20180425141451_000_GQN1VIKGN.1-0.jpg

The Platform has acquired the Lakeshore Global Building in New Center, the company said Wednesday. The eight-story, 240,000-square-foot building sits on the northeast corner of Woodward and Grand Boulevard in a neighborhood that’s seen steady investment over the last few years.

The building is currently 60 percent occupied. Dietrich Knoer, president and CEO of The Platform, and his team plan to “reposition” the building for full occupancy.

I've never heard this building being referred to as the Lakeshore Global Building. Historically it was the Ford Sales Building and later the Boulevard Building. The facade got modernized sometime mid century, but according to posters on DetroitYes the interior lobby is untouched. I'd love to see them redo the facade, either how it originally looked or something more modern. The parking lot around the building is also up for potential future construction.

Shuttered for 40 years, Willis Show Bar will reopen Friday in Cass Corridor (https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/mark-kurlyandchik/2018/04/23/shuttered-40-years-willis-show-bar-reopen-friday-cass-corridor/537441002/)

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/d73a0ee01604177cd5bd648a0cdfdbff283fec12/c=89-0-5196-3840&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2017/11/20/DetroitFreeP/DetroitFreePress/636468015420832452-DZ5A0656.JPG

The Willis' new owners – a group of Los Angeles-based hospitality veterans in partnership with the Detroit Optimist Society – are aiming to hark back to the pre-seedy era of the show bar's life, where guests will be encouraged to dress up to come watch live jazz and blues acts perform on the small stage behind the bar.

LMich

Apr 26, 2018, 9:17 AM

The State of Michigan sold the building to Lakeshore, an engineering firm, back in 2005. Prior to that, at least back to the 60's, this was home to some state offices before the redo of Cadillac Place down the Boulevard. I always remember about Lakeshore because it came up during Kilpatrick's ouster that he had crooked dealings with the company. He gave them more business than they knew what to do with, and he got to rent office space for cheap in the building and they had all kinds of political fundraisers for him.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DbpZ2AkUQAErf2d.jpg
Historic Detroit (https://twitter.com/HistoricDET/status/989202038008446977)

What a shame what they did to this one.

deja vu

Apr 26, 2018, 11:53 PM

^ Holy- waaahhh?? I had no idea. What a downer. Wonder how much of anything is left underneath today's skin.

LMich

Apr 27, 2018, 9:53 AM

I'm pretty sure the current facade is a totally new construction (i.e. not overhanging the old facade). It almost certainly wouldn't be as energy efficient, but I think the only way you "fix" the aesthetic problems of the current facade is to take it off and hang a glass curtain wall in its place. Turn it into a glass box and call it a day, really.

Detroit News business columnist Daniel Howes is seeing further signs of Ford's interest in Michigan Central Station:

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/243e1c6a70afdb2a16e4c10a8501570baeff3a89/c=406-0-4345-2962&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2018/04/26/DetroitNews/B99654111Z.1_20180426215553_000_GPB1VKT20.1-0.jpg
Daniel Mears

Evidence builds on Blue Oval’s Corktown vision (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/columnists/daniel-howes/2018/04/26/evidence-builds-ford-corktown-vision/34296451/)

By Daniel Howes | The Detroit News

April 26, 2018

Ford Motor Co.’s potentially transformative vision for a corner of Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, may be taking a step forward.

Even as the Dearborn automaker remains deep in talks to acquire the historic Michigan Central Depot from the Moroun family’s Central Transport International Inc., Ford is in “discussions” to buy an old brass factory at 2051 Rosa Parks, says a source familiar with the situation.

That’s adjacent to what Ford calls “The Factory,” the new Corktown headquarters at Michigan and Rosa Parks soon to house its autonomous and electric-car groups under what it calls Team Edison. Expanding Ford’s presence there developing next-generation autonomous and mobility technology would make an emphatic statement about Detroit’s revival — and the Blue Oval’s role in it.

The upshot: Ford is moving to assemble parcels that could become part of an urban business campus on the western edge of downtown. The automaker’s fully realized vision, pushed ardently by Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr., would be anchored by a renovated train station, for way too long a symbol of Detroit’s urban and industrial decline.

Mike Koenigbauer of Friedman Real Estate, the broker representing the seller, this week told The Detroit News the property at 2051 Rosa Parks, built in 1921, has been under contract for several months and that a potential closing of the sale appeared near. He did not offer a timeline. The building owner, Angel Gambino, was contacted several times this week but said she was unavailable to speak about the property.

A marketing brochure for the property — called “The Alchemy” — pegs the asking price at $2.5 million for two parcels. The larger, 2.75-acre site sits on the west side of Rosa Parks and features an 87,000-square-foot building that could be delivered vacant or redeveloped. The second parcel is a parking lot on the east side of the street totaling a little more than an acre.

And this week, the 28,000-square-foot Ponyride Building at 1401 Vermont in Corktown was listed for sale. Asking price: $3.5 million for the “immaculately maintained” two-story building with “unlimited potential ... in the ever popular and bustling Corktown neighborhood,” the listing says. City property records show the building’s current owner paid $100,000 for the building in 2011.

DetroitSky

Apr 28, 2018, 7:23 AM

Novi Homebuilder Plans Multifamily Park Avenue Building Redevelopment (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180427/news/659241/novi-homebuilder-plans-multifamily-park-avenue-building-redevelopment)

https://www.detroityes.com/mb/attachment.php?attachmentid=35622&d=1524845254

75-100 apartments planned and 4000-5000 square feet of retail space on the first floor.

About time. With this and the City Club apartments on the Statler site and hopefully the Ilitch high rise on Witherell, Adams and Madison, all thats left of the unbuilt property surrounding Grand Circus Park are the Tuller Hotel site and the Fine Arts Building.

deja vu

Apr 28, 2018, 1:08 PM

About time. With this and the City Club apartments on the Statler site and hopefully the Ilitch high rise on Witherell, Adams and Madison, all thats left of the unbuilt property surrounding Grand Circus Park are the Tuller Hotel site and the Fine Arts Building.

That's a big one. Great news! :tup:

Docta_Love

Apr 28, 2018, 1:27 PM

Ford begins forging a Corktown campus

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
April 28, 2018

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/FordMap-main_i.png?itok=GgV-tHYQ

-Automaker linked to nearly 50 Corktown properties
-Announcement on train station targeted for next month
-Automaker also re-evaluating Dearborn campus transformation plan

With the abandoned Michigan Central Station as the campus' anchor, Ford is also nearing deals to buy properties ranging from small retail buildings and slivers of land to large warehouses, according to a half-dozen sources who have been briefed on the discussions with property owners.

The Dearborn-based automotive giant, which employs 48,000 in Michigan, is expected to reveal its intention to buy and redevelop the dilapidated Michigan Central Station in Corktown next month, according to four other sources familiar with the campus discussions.

An announcement of what could be the most transformational Detroit development plan in more than a decade may come May 10, one of the sources said. The other sources were unable to verify that date, which is also when Ford's annual shareholder meeting is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m., but did say that next month is the target.

The project is not set in stone. The Moroun family, which has owned the train station for decades and some of the other properties folded into the plan, are known as tough negotiators, meaning the discussions could collapse and the depot could remain in the family's hands.

Ford already has revealed its intent to occupy The Factory at Corktown on Michigan Avenue and put 220 autonomous/electric vehicle workers in the 45,000-square-foot building. But close to 50 properties, including the train station and small vacant lots, have been linked to Ford in the five weeks since Crain's first reported the company's discussions with the Moroun family.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180428/news/659276/ford-begins-forging-a-corktown-campus

LinkedIn to open larger Detroit office in historic Sanders building

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
April 27, 2018

-It's LinkedIn's first new U.S. office in 10 years
-Renovations underway; planned opening within the year
-Company has been operating temporarily out of downtown WeWork space

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/Sanders%20building%20LinkedIn_i.jpg?itok=inDp3FOC

LinkedIn is laying down permanent roots in Detroit and moving its team of 40 from a temporary space into the historic Sanders building for its first new U.S. office in 10 years.

The Silicon Valley-based social media company has been operating in the downtown WeWork space since October and has been looking for a larger space in the city all the while. It decided on the 74,500-square-foot building at at 1523 Woodward Ave., owned by Bedrock LLC.

Renovations are underway and the company plans to open its new office within the next year, according to a post on its website.

UBS Group AG's U.S. and Canadian wealth management business, New Jersey-based UBS Wealth Management Americas, plans to lease 13,000 square feet on the connected sixth floors of neighboring buildings at 1515 Woodward Ave. and 1529 Woodward Ave.The two buildings built around 1900 are owned by Detroit-based Bedrock LLC and are undergoing renovations, said John Bush, 60, Michigan market head for UBS Wealth Management Americas.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180427/news/659226/linkedin-to-open-larger-detroit-office-in-historic-sanders-building

Docta_Love

Apr 28, 2018, 2:55 PM

The word I've heard from Ford employee's is that they couldn't see how the company could afford to build a new huge suburban tech center and at the same time come into Corktown in a big way while at the same time "overall" sales are stagnant. Seems we now have some answers. Right now at the same time the Ranger mid-sized pickup is being brought back the focus, fiesta & taurus are to be phased out in the US market by 2019 where car sales are down sharply and truck sales are up sharply.

Can't say I feel comfortable about the move but if the models are in production in other markets it wouldn't be hard to reintroduce in the event of an oil shock. The whole plan has a vaguely familiar ring to it though like what Ford tried and failed to do in the late 90's however the seeming difference being the fusion which is the star of Ford's sedan fleet doesn't appear to be going anywhere, where as the company had already ruined the taurus by the late 90's.

*Btw I'm really hyped to see plans for the Park Ave Building.

The Downtown Synagogue is getting a new mural

By Robin Runyan
Curbed Detroit
Apr 27, 2018

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t0zuk3PP4_QjevBKavPoEAJXak0=/0x0:1200x800/920x613/filters:focal(571x162:763x354):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59547523/IMG_1383.0.jpg

It’s mural season in Detroit. The triangular and colorful Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue will see a new mural on its bare west-facing side. Artist Bunnie Reiss is starting the jewel-toned mural today.

Executive Director Arlene Frank tells Curbed that along with the building improvements that came about last fall, this adds another exciting building project to the Downtown Synagogue. “Creativity is the hallmark of this project, as, beginning today, a mural is being painted on the back wall of our historic building, adding to the many striking murals that now grace Detroit,” says Frank. “We have engaged Bunnie Reiss, a nationally renowned mural artist, who travels extensively creating vibrant murals that connect with people and bring art into communities.”

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/4/27/17290888/downtown-synagogue-new-mural

mind field

Apr 28, 2018, 3:50 PM

SammyS over at DetroitYes has given an update on City Modern in Brush Park. Phase 1 is sold out, Phase 2 only has four units left, and the units in Phase 3 is seeing double-digit price increases from the first phase.

These three phases include townhomes (5 buildings), and the carriage homes, and the 5 historic home renovations. That leaves the duplettes (proposed) and the six flats buildings (under construction).

The townhomes front the streets and the carriage homes front the alleys; both are four-sale units. The duplettes, historic homes, and flats are rental units.

Does anyone know the price range for phase one? Nothing (that I saw) was listed on city modern's website.

Jasoncw

Apr 28, 2018, 4:53 PM

Does anyone know the price range for phase one? Nothing (that I saw) was listed on city modern's website.

From the DetroitYes thread when the units started going on sale they were $230,000. Phase 1 is sold out, and phase 2 and 3 don't have many units left. The remaining units seem to be going for between $750,000 and $900,000, but it's easy to imagine that going higher.

The North One

Apr 28, 2018, 8:13 PM

Those are for similar sized units? Or are the remaining ones larger?

DetroitSky

Apr 29, 2018, 12:45 AM

I thought I'd let you guys know that Koops65 has added a drawing of One Monroe Avenue to the diagrams section. Still waiting on someone to do a Hudson's site drawing, though.

deja vu

Apr 29, 2018, 2:34 AM

I thought I'd let you guys know that Koops65 has added a drawing of One Monroe Avenue to the diagrams section. Still waiting on someone to do a Hudson's site drawing, though.

I would think there'd be a lot of interest within the illustrators' realm to draw it up. Maybe they are waiting to find out what the crown / observation deck will actually look like ;)

LMich

Apr 30, 2018, 12:08 PM

Update from the 27th from the Platform on the first phase of Balitmore Station in New Center.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Db0Agw-VQAE2Yqt.jpg
The Platform (https://twitter.com/ThePlatform313/status/989948151367946240)

The project is named after the QLine stop.

LMich

Apr 30, 2018, 3:39 PM

Lots and lots of new (or revised) developments announced, today, for Detroit Detroit.

Olympia Development proposes nearly $200 million in new office, retail developments in District Detroit

2715 Woodward: medical/commercial offices

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/2715%20Woodward%20-%20Office%20new-02_i.jpg?itok=qOXjpVOg

120 Henry: offices

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/120%20Henry%20-%20Office%20new-03_i.jpg?itok=XLkfKKfH

2110 Park: (renovation)

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/2110%20Park%20-%20Office%20reno-04_i.jpg?itok=KVyj42Fy

1922 Cass: (renovation)

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/1922%20Cass%20-%20Office%20reno-05_i.jpg?itok=8sbwsp0A

2210 Park: office (renovation)

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/teaser/8077236/2210%20Park%20-%20Office%202%20reno-06_i.jpg?itok=9bAY8I4Y

111 Henry: office

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/photogallery_large/public/111%20Henry%20-%20Office%20new-01_i.jpg?itok=1I48cfcT

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180430/news/659411/olympia-development-proposes-nearly-200-million-in-new-office-retail?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Looks like the two Henry Street properties have been changed to office (and ground floor retail) usage leaving all residential development for renovation historic buildings.

Docta_Love

Apr 30, 2018, 7:48 PM

It looks like the purchase / renovation of Michigan Depot is nearly a done deal it's one thing for the company to announce it's interest in the project and start buying up land but for Edsel Ford to put himself out there like this he must be confident of a deal being completed.

Edsel Ford II: Ford board may vote on train station plan May 10

By CHAD LIVENGOOD
Crain's Detroit
April 30, 2018

-Great-grandson of Henry Ford and a Ford Motor Co. board member says directors have been briefed on the plan
-Board could take a vote at May 10 meeting
-First public confirmation of talks to buy Michigan Central Station by anyone associated with the automaker.

Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford Motor Co. board of directors, confirmed Monday that the automaker is pursuing a deal to purchase the Michigan Central Station for a Corktown campus. Ford talked about the potential mega real estate deal after being honored for his work on the Detroit 300 Conservancy committee, which raised $30 million for the development of Campus Martius park in downtown Detroit.

"It doesn't need a vote, but it requires buy-in," Ford said.

Internally at the Dearborn automaker, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. has been said to be driving the push for the company to re-establish a major presence in Detroit some two decades after the company's last employees left the Renaissance Center, whose construction was led by Edsel Ford II's father, Henry Ford II.

"Bill's excited about it, and I'm excited about it," Edsel Ford II said, calling it a potential "big redevelopment of southwest Detroit."

Ford cautioned there's no done deal yet to purchase the train station from the family of billionaire trucking mogul Manual "Matty" Moroun.

"There's T's to cross and i's to dot and nothing is — as you know — officially announced yet," Ford told reporters.

The push to establish a campus in Corktown beyond the building Ford purchased in December at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard is driven by a desire to "cluster" the autonomous and electric vehicle units in one spot, Ford said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180430/news/659451/edsel-ford-ii-ford-board-may-vote-on-train-station-plan-may-10

subterranean

Apr 30, 2018, 10:15 PM

Man, if this ends up happening, it's going to be so cool to watch.

seabee1526

May 1, 2018, 2:14 PM

This is a bit outside of the downtown area, but it looks like good things are happening at one of the local museums. A very large renovation project underway at Yankee Air Museum at the old Willow Run Bomber plant, home of the Ford Built B-24 Liberator, over 8600 of them.

www.savethebomberplant.org

subterranean

May 1, 2018, 10:54 PM

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/65bd994d8978280f2f2d06e827494bc31857b87d/c=266-0-2394-1600&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2018/05/01/DetroitFreeP/DetroitFreePress/636607939414723904-050118-Ford-Auditorium-2-.jpg
Detroit Zoo pushing to build huge aquarium in downtown Detroit
Apr 30, 2018 at 5:00 PM by JC Reindl

The Detroit Zoo is actively pushing to construct a large aquarium on the downtown Detroit riverfront — possibly on prime vacant land next to Hart Plaza — that could draw 1 million visitors a year, the Free Press has learned.

Source: https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2018/05/01/detroit-zoo-aquarium-downtown-detroit/569853002/

LMich

May 2, 2018, 12:20 PM

Well, well, well, a "concept" of the southern end of District Detroit Olympia was showing of yesterday.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcIO5sYVQAAPp3N.jpg
Kirk Pinho (https://twitter.com/kirkpinhoCDB/status/991371260998377472)

The biggest thing I notice is that one of the towers they've been talking about seems to have moved from one side of Woodward to the other.

Docta_Love

May 2, 2018, 9:57 PM

Sweet ... good find LMich!

Btw* That tower planned for the surface lot on E Adams is looking pretty significant it looks from this model anyway it's going to be around the height of the David Broderick Tower. Although my frame of reference may be a little off because the photo partially cuts off the top of the tower but at the very least it looks like they are building something close to that height.

subterranean

May 2, 2018, 10:34 PM

Here are a few more. The concept at Grand Circus Park definitely looks taller than the Broderick. If this moves forward, the Statler site truly is going to look out of scale with its surroundings.

https://twitter.com/jakegordon/status/991362963016740864

Jasoncw

May 3, 2018, 1:28 AM

Different "concepts" of all of these projects have been going on for years. During the time frame that all of these renderings have been shuffling around they could have simply built the buildings, if that was their genuine intention. It's not rocket science, you line up the money and hire an architecture firm and then it gets built.

My speculation is that this is somehow a stalling technique related to their not fulfilling the amount of development they were supposed to. Another idea is that there's something coming up that they're going to want public money for. Or maybe they're just doing it to dull any backlash against the arena.

The Comerica Park hotel does have an actual developer attached to it, so that one might actually be real. And a hotel overlooking the ballpark would make sense as being part of a complete entertainment experience. They're an entertainment company and not a real estate company, and their actions over the decades have been very clear when you think about it in those terms.

DetroitSky

May 3, 2018, 4:47 AM

I agree with Jasoncw entirely.

The hotel on Woodward directly south of LCA along with the tower replacing Hockeytown Cafe are proposals they announced awhile back, along with the one on the parking lot between Grand Circus Park and the Detroit Athletic Club. They had also announced building high rises on the parking lots on Woodward in front of Comerica Park, but in these concepts it only shows two low rises and a parking lot.

On the other hand, this quiet mention (https://twitter.com/DanaAfana/status/991740113087553536) of Ilitch's plans to build yet another parking garage seems much more viable given their track record on garages and surface lots.

LMich

May 3, 2018, 9:49 AM

I'd mentioned that it look like they moved one of the high-rises, which pretty much shows this isn't new stuff. I don't even think I implied this was "new."

I'm not quite a skeptical given all that's already been built. While I don't like parking garages, it opens up all of their surface lots for development. We won't ever have any easy go of things until there is a much strong mass-transit system in place.

This is really not the Olympia of the 90's or even the early 00's. If nothing else was built, tomorrow, it's already more than they ever did with their idea of "Foxtown." Long-term plans - which these have always been - will change as the market changes. Plans should change as demand warrants. I was actually kind of surprised how much residential they've originally proposed given how many other developers had gotten a head start on construction in the area.

All in all, I'm fairly satisfied. More than what it says about Olympia it shows that there is demand whereas nearly anything had to be forced or compelled in the past. I gave up on reflexive Ilitch bashing quite a while ago. I'd have been content had they just built the arena and left the peripheral stuff to the other developers in the area. Olympia doesn't really do housing, anyway, thank god.

north 42

May 3, 2018, 1:15 PM

It’s very exciting to me that there will be construction cranes and new towers rising up on both sides of the Detroit River, starting this year! It’s long overdo for both of our downtowns!

Here’s an article about a new 16 floor residential tower to be built in DT Windsor, as well as some new conversions, including the conversion of the old Radisson Hotel on Riverside Dr. to a possible Double Tree. I know it’s not in Detroit, but I figured some of you Detroiters would find this good news and interesting regardless.

http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/16-storey-tower-refurbished-hotel-trendy-residential-building-pitched-for-downtown

subterranean

May 3, 2018, 3:31 PM

north 42

May 3, 2018, 6:42 PM

Nice! I've always been impressed by Windsor's skyline given its size.

Yeah, it’s not too bad, but it definitely needs some more bulk and height to it. The city struggled badly after the 2008 recession, and our DT suffered big time, so its great to see the metro getting some healthy growth numbers again,as well as a hot housing market and low unemployment! Hopefully more proposals come foreword soon!

Docta_Love

May 3, 2018, 8:31 PM

Great news, I know what you mean by it needing more bulk which is true in a sense although I always kind of looked at it as the Windsor skyline is a victim of the city's success with its waterfront.

The skyline has had a tendency to want to spread out along the water because Windsor has made great use of its waterfront opening it up to the public imo. Something Windsor doesn't get enough credit for is making Detroit see the value of its own waterfront something that we mimicked starting relatively recently with great success.

north 42

May 4, 2018, 11:30 AM

Docta_Love

May 4, 2018, 9:10 PM

I remember how it was back in the day at least around the Joe with a bunch of gravel parking lots along the water that were used as a sort of vip parking area.

My grandpa Florian Muske (my mothers side) was the team dentist for the Wings from 49' - 83' he never was paid but got season tickets for life. Back in the day when I was young on occasion when I would go to a game my dad he would take my grandpa's car and it's pass so we could park right up next to the Joe. The Illitch's to their credit honored the agreement even though it was only verbal after the ownership change, although they moved the seats from behind the penalty box to 2nd row upper deck over time.

My dad would always be cracking jokes after the riverwalk was built that "that we lost our convenient parking but at least the Canadians have something to look at" or "it's only right that we returned the favor". :D

DTE to seek developers for Conners Creek site on Detroit riverfront this year

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
May 04, 2018

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/ConnersCreek03_i.jpg?itok=VEaw0DnH

Dave Meador, vice chairman and chief administrative officer for DTE, said the Detroit-based company has held informal discussions with Mayor Mike Duggan's office, the surrounding community and developers like Dan Gilbert's Bedrock LLC about the site south of Freud Street between Lycaste and Canal streets.

How the process moves forward will be determined by what the response from the development community is, Meador said. If there is significant interest in the RFP and the proposed uses are in line with DTE's vision, the company will move forward.

DTE ultimately envisions a mixed-use development with residential and retail space connecting to greenways.

"This is one of the largest developable sites on the river, if not the largest," Meador said Friday. "A good portion of that could be developed."

One issue is what happens with the 400,000-square-foot decommissioned power plant that remains on the site. It featured seven 350-foot exhaust stacks (sometimes called the "Seven Sisters"); a portion of it was imploded in 1996 after being closed in 1983.

The remaining portion of the plant, built in 1951, has the "Two Brothers" exhaust stacks.

Although asbestos remains inside, Meador said it's a candidate to be redeveloped. Whether a developer proposes adaptive reuse or tearing it down won't affect DTE's selection process.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180504/news/659911/dte-to-seek-developers-for-conners-creek-site-on-detroit-riverfront

deja vu

May 4, 2018, 10:51 PM

I agree with Jasoncw entirely.

I'll agree, except for this part:

It's not rocket science, you line up the money and hire an architecture firm and then it gets built.

I think this is intentional hyperbole. It's obviously a simplification of reality. In this world of super-specialization, constructing a large building is a LOT more like rocket science than many other things. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of individuals are involved in the minutia of every single decision and task that contributes to the critical path of a building's eventually existence.

And, as we hopefully all realize, the architecture firm isn't the one doing the building 99% of the time.

Docta_Love

May 5, 2018, 5:05 PM

Interesting

Q&A: Dan Gilbert on jail site, Detroit aquarium, Ford in Corktown

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
May 04, 2018

Pinho: Well I heard you bring up the Ford thing (with the company redeveloping Michigan Central Station), and I was kind of curious, if that makes you, with your portfolio, go farther west along Michigan?

Gilbert: I haven't really thought of it in those terms. Certainly anything that happens like that is helpful for anyone who invests in greater downtown and Detroit in general. A company of that size, of that significant. Talk about doing some pretty big stuff, from what we understand. We don't have direct information, and sometimes we hear it from you first. We have a few parcels there (Corktown Lofts).

Pinho: What about how it works with regard to the transformational brownfield stuff? I don't think you guys have received final approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund yet. But with something along the lines of a train station, what the Ilitches are doing, what you're doing in addition to the stuff that's already been announced for brownfield, since there is only one approval per year ...

Gilbert: It's one start, I think. I think the way the legislation is written ... I think ours officially started in 2017. If Ilitch does 2018, (Ford) could do 2019 if that qualifies.

Pinho: Right, I was actually getting at whether there is some sort of gentlemen's agreement. "Chris, you go in 2018, Ford you go in 2019 ... "

Gilbert: I think there is some state agency.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180504/news/659846/qampa-dan-gilbert-on-jail-site-detroit-aquarium-ford-in-corktown

Jasoncw

May 7, 2018, 6:07 PM

I'll agree, except for this part:

I think this is intentional hyperbole. It's obviously a simplification of reality. In this world of super-specialization, constructing a large building is a LOT more like rocket science than many other things. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of individuals are involved in the minutia of every single decision and task that contributes to the critical path of a building's eventually existence.

And, as we hopefully all realize, the architecture firm isn't the one doing the building 99% of the time.

It's true I'm exaggerating, but only a little. They have the resources and the expertise and the money. They've been shuffling around conceptual renderings for years and during that time other developers have started and finished projects. Gilbert bought the David Stott Building in 2015 and it's finishing this year. The Platform is way smaller and they've been very productive.

Rizzo

May 7, 2018, 6:17 PM

I'll agree, except for this part:

I think this is intentional hyperbole. It's obviously a simplification of reality. In this world of super-specialization, constructing a large building is a LOT more like rocket science than many other things. Hundreds, sometimes thousands of individuals are involved in the minutia of every single decision and task that contributes to the critical path of a building's eventually existence.

And, as we hopefully all realize, the architecture firm isn't the one doing the building 99% of the time.

You’re looking at this from your local perspective. I reality, drawings can be done in a little over a year, out to bid in months, permits in months and built in under two years. All the while, financing being lined up.

The reason skyscrapers grow as fast as weeds in Chicago is because the project teams are organized, efficient and experienced. The speed of these projects in Detroit are downright glacial. (Except for Gilbert’s team which has shown unprecedented speed ) How many things have come and gone for the Monroe site?

Docta_Love

May 8, 2018, 1:38 AM

The pace of new development no doubt has been moving at a glacial pace even with some of Gilbert's projects that required state money to "fill funding gaps".

It seems like there was a concerted effort made to focus on renovations before new construction by the Gilbert team as well up through the period of bankruptcy. The turning point in this renovation heavy trend imo was when Gilbert took on the David Stott & Book Tower renovations with these conversions & the subsequent Free Press Building renovation.

The already high residential occupancy rate in the mid to upper 90% range had another economic factor added to the mix Adient a "fortune 200 company" decided to relocate from Milwaukee to downtown. The amount of contiguous class A office space available for a large company was already low now with Adient taking over the Marquette Building there remain two buildings that have the contiguous space usually desired by large companies when choosing to lease space. There is one other building that has enough space for another "Adient" but it is split up throughout making it less competitive.

Basically the demand is there now for high-rise construction one reason often cited in the past is there has been problems getting loans from major banks for new construction projects in Detroit versus renovations. But there hasn't been any major high-rise construction since 2008 & that was a casino hotel a very safe bet so to speak from a developers point of view now that Gilbert has "broken ground" on the Hudson's project and will also start demolition work on the Monroe block in June we have a first risk taker.

If the projects are successful then I think we will see the speed of construction really take off just like even after all the problems with the Book-Cadillac renovation it showed it could be done & another group was able to do it successfully leading us to where we are now.

Found a Hudson's rendering I haven't seen before.

Inside former Amazon HQ2 'war room,' Gilbert's Bedrock makes new kind of pitch

May 07, 2018
Crain's Detroit Business
KIRK PINHO

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/virtualrealityhudsonsbuilding-Main_i.png?itok=oZqiUr7F
An image from a virtual-reality tour showing Woodward Avenue with the new skyscraper on the old J.L. Hudson's site.

On the fourth floor of Bedrock LLC's headquarters at 630 Woodward Ave. downtown, the room where Dan Gilbert's team and others crafted the city's joint pitch with Windsor for Amazon's HQ2 has been completely redone for the sake of another way to sell Detroit and market the company's assets.

It's there, the former so-called "war room" space, where the real estate development, management and leasing company has installed a new 10-foot by 12-foot tabletop model of the city. It was shown widely for the first time last week as part of the Urban Land Institute's spring meeting held in Detroit over three days for about 4,000 real estate professionals from around the world.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/TabletopModels-01_i.jpg?itok=6LQVtrUk
The model allows color-coding of properties using colored lights for use in presenting.

The model, created by Ferndale-based Zoyes Creative and Montreal-based Moment Factory, is a 1-to-50 scale model representing about 1.5 square miles of greater downtown Detroit, starting south at the Detroit River and north to Brush Park, west to the Riverfront Towers and east to Lafayette Park generally.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180507/blog016/660096/inside-former-amazon-hq2-war-room-gilberts-bedrock-makes-new-kind-of

The North One

May 8, 2018, 1:39 AM

Monroe Block gives me chills, I'm so in love with that development.

subterranean

May 8, 2018, 2:28 AM

Thanks for posting. Did you check out the 360 links at the bottom of the page in that Crains article?

Docta_Love

May 8, 2018, 3:44 AM

Oh DAMN no I didn't good looks!

Idk if the links would show up for non subscribers who are over their monthly quota so ill post em down here too cool to miss out on.

http://www.hudsonssitedetroit.com/360

http://www.monroeblocksdetroit.com/360

seabee1526

May 8, 2018, 3:02 PM

Monroe Block gives me chills, I'm so in love with that development.

I'm also more excited with Monroe than with the Hudson's project. They should go even higher than the 35 stories! :cheers:

www.savethebomberplant.org

DetroitRises

May 8, 2018, 6:26 PM

By Robyn
Curbed Detroit
5/8/2018
A development that’s been in the works for years finally breaks ground today.The residential development called “The Corner,” led by Eric Larson and Larson Realty Group, will now take shape at the site of the old Tiger Stadium.
https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/8/17330758/the-corner-mixed-use-development-breaks-ground-corktown

So excited to finally see this break ground.

DetroitRises

May 8, 2018, 6:54 PM

Monroe Block gives me chills, I'm so in love with that development.

I am too. It’s nice to see photos and the 360 view. This development is taking so long to get started. I thought it was going to be started in phases, but the only news so far is in the phase 2 portion where they are going to demo buildings in June to prep for The underground parking. Nothing new about the start of phase 1, the high rise portion other than still going through the motions with the state of Michigan for the brownfield incentives. We’ve moved from Breaking ground in January 2018 to early 2018 and now we’re almost to mid 2018.

seabee1526

May 8, 2018, 7:21 PM

DetroitSky

May 9, 2018, 4:58 AM

Jim Brady's plans 2 restaurants at old Chung's building in Detroit (http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180508/news/660151/jim-bradys-plans-2-restaurants-at-old-chungs-building-in-detroit?ite=73428&ito=939&itq=ab152085-5e43-4e35-973c-3ea51a2a3c2c&itx%5Bidio%5D=752952)

American cuisine restaurant and bar in the works in Detroit's Cass Corridor
Delays due to renovations for Ann Arbor location, co-owner says
Now aiming for 2019 opening

I was walking around that building about a week ago taking photos and wondering if anything was ever going to be done with it. They also plan on putting a 70 space parking lot at 498 Peterboro Street, which is down the block at the corner of Second Avenue. The site is currently a vacant grass lot.

This project, as well as Detroit Shipping Company which is under construction, the Canine To Five expansion also under construction and the recently opened The Peterboro restaurant building has entirely changed these few blocks.

DetroitSky

May 9, 2018, 6:24 AM

Some updates:

April 19

The Crawford in Elton Park
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/893/26704581797_ef6cc77026_b.jpg

The Robertson, Elton Park
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/41511891822_d3208a8e87_b.jpg

4642 Second Avenue, a strange little place at the corner with West Forest that seems like its upper floors were amputated. I don't know the history on this, but its been abandoned as long as I've been aware it existed. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on what happened.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/860/41511908022_b69c83d68f_b.jpg

Renovations on Cass and Parsons
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/833/41553367541_68a7e663e5_b.jpg
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/39744451160_3bd9a5ecb8_b.jpg

James Scott Mansion
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/828/27683299388_5bbfac8eaf_b.jpg

6319 Michigan Avenue
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/783/41573367301_24365507c6_b.jpg

April 20

427 E. Kirby Street
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/864/26727761927_ab62bcdea4_b.jpg[/url]

6545 Woodward, to be the home of Urbanum Furniture
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/804/26727745447_e8a7a4ca33_b.jpg

April 22

Willis Show Bar
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/830/41598493632_1b3629f1e8_b.jpg

Century Apartments, Second Avenue near West Alexandrine
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/911/26770209727_3136bb53bf_b.jpg

644 Selden
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/793/27769443278_12b4dbc675_b.jpg

Canine To Five expansion, Cass near Peterboro. Their original building is on the right.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/935/39830497350_0c19a87aaf_b.jpg

Detroit Shipping Co.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/857/41638105931_948b277fe3_b.jpg

There's been a small amount of work done at the Boulevard Hostel on Second across from the Masonic Temple
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/40746419095_a03751daa9_b.jpg

120 Henry, formerly called Arena Lofts, in District Detroit
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/26770123697_46766d4744_b.jpg

Columbia Street
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/790/40927736794_dc1ef0ce9d_b.jpg

WSU Mike Ilitch School of Business
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/919/27769365088_4d14831e10_b.jpg

Empire Kitchen at the corner and a Charter One branch opening the next storefront south in The Scott
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/843/26770086757_f0a4bb5dd1_b.jpg

The Hamilton
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/40927942774_65ae4fd131_b.jpg

April 30

Pure Barre joining recently opened Lovers Only restaurant to fill both retail spaces in 28Grand
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/870/41124137314_6033a6e74d_b.jpg

2633 Austin Street
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/41840683091_01a8207253_b.jpg

2645 Wing Place. This one appears to be going up on the foundation of a torn abandoned house
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/41840670611_62b860ce4c_b.jpg

1717 24th Street, near Bagley. I spoke to the developer of this one in January 2017. He told me that smaller developers "can't touch anything in downtown or Midtown" because its all either spoken for or too expensive, and he went on to tell me how mind blowing it was seeing Detroit turn around like this.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/912/41840655961_00220c76c1_b.jpg

May 7

Regency at Chene
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/946/40182561790_21e2feaca7_b.jpg

2315 Orleans Street. I've been watching them work on this place intermittently in the past year or so.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/907/41944879512_a0787f83a3_b.jpg

I've posted about this building at 436 W. Columbia before, saying I had noticed it had gone from being abandoned to be renovated but I didn't know what it was. I've heard its going to be a Bucharest Grill, their first downtown since the original one closed not far from here.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/964/41089434735_13398d106b_b.jpg

Industrial Building
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/965/41089426465_b43e32bca5_b.jpg

Stevens Building
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/960/41089417815_3d1aba8f33_b.jpg

Farwell Building
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/978/41089411285_b9d497f9b6_b.jpg

MarxModa Furniture
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/41089402685_b837414634_b.jpg

Shinola Hotel
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/41944829722_61f6bc6266_b.jpg

Shinola Hotel's Farmer Street building
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/962/28117789628_fdaa1e8767_b.jpg

City Club Apartments
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/979/41944797612_970b011a71_b.jpg

LMich

May 9, 2018, 8:41 AM

I am too. It’s nice to see photos and the 360 view. This development is taking so long to get started. I thought it was going to be started in phases, but the only news so far is in the phase 2 portion where they are going to demo buildings in June to prep for The underground parking. Nothing new about the start of phase 1, the high rise portion other than still going through the motions with the state of Michigan for the brownfield incentives. We’ve moved from Breaking ground in January 2018 to early 2018 and now we’re almost to mid 2018.

I believe you're confused. Much like the Hudson site, the ground-breaking for the project will be with the start of the garage, which of course must be built before the towers can go into place. It will break ground this summer. So it's only a bit behind schedule. Not sure where you're getting that the underground parking is or even could be "Phase II." The phase are for the two blocks.

DetroitSky, with Ford most likely coming into Corktown, it looks like the development west of there will be the new norm. "West Corktown" was already being developed, but this will push small Corktown developers west for sure. It's really crazy. I have family who grew up in the city as kids come back every other year or so; they are always amazed at the places development is happening. Yeah, most stuff is concentrated downtown and Midtown, but there are a lot of little projects happening all around the city that most new Detroiters have yet to see.

cityguy

May 9, 2018, 10:52 AM

Awesome updates Detroitsky. thanks for sharing

deja vu

May 9, 2018, 2:49 PM

Awesome updates Detroitsky. thanks for sharing

Ditto that! MarxModa has some nice new digs. Did that used to be a bank?

subterranean

May 9, 2018, 3:48 PM

Thanks for the update. You get around!

DetroitRises

May 9, 2018, 6:23 PM

I believe you're confused. Much like the Hudson site, the ground-breaking for the project will be with the start of the garage, which of course must be built before the towers can go into place. It will break ground this summer. So it's only a bit behind schedule. Not sure where you're getting that the underground parking is or even could be "Phase II." The phase are for the two blocks.

DetroitSky, with Ford most likely coming into Corktown, it looks like the development west of there will be the new norm. "West Corktown" was already being developed, but this will push small Corktown developers west for sure. It's really crazy. I have family who grew up in the city as kids come back every other year or so; they are always amazed at the places development is happening. Yeah, most stuff is concentrated downtown and Midtown, but there are a lot of little projects happening all around the city that most new Detroiters have yet to see.

Thanks for clarifying, I thought I had read that separate parking for the residential block/tower was being built and another for the office building block. But if it’s all one garage I see what your saying about the building demo being the groundbreaking. It will be nice when a step by step timeline of the project is made public like they did with hudsons site
The

DetroitSky

May 9, 2018, 6:31 PM

DetroitSky, with Ford most likely coming into Corktown, it looks like the development west of there will be the new norm. "West Corktown" was already being developed, but this will push small Corktown developers west for sure. It's really crazy. I have family who grew up in the city as kids come back every other year or so; they are always amazed at the places development is happening. Yeah, most stuff is concentrated downtown and Midtown, but there are a lot of little projects happening all around the city that most new Detroiters have yet to see.

There's tons of little projects going on all over that no one knows about. I always come across new projects I never knew about whenever I'm out and about.

deja vu, that building was First State Bank and is commonly referred to as the Olde Building. It's been empty as long as I can remember but is now MarxModa's headquarters.

Thanks all! I'm glad you enjoy the updates!

Rizzo

May 9, 2018, 7:07 PM

The Farwell looks amazing. So great so see renovations of these historic buildings. This level of development was unimaginable 10 years ago.

DetroitSky

May 10, 2018, 6:42 AM

Seven-story building, mixed-use development proposed in Brush Park (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/9/17335748/seven-story-building-proposed-brush-park)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uR9LTpUMn20Y3I-Urxvi43UXbQc=/0x0:1920x1080/920x613/filters:focal(807x387:1113x693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59681739/112_Edmund_East_Elevation_OOMBRA_Architects.0.jpg
112 Edmund Place

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XsGU5swWZKYhFfxC8SmNDU04jRM=/0x0:1920x1080/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10809195/2827_NE_Corner_OOMBRA_Architects.jpg
2827 John R, including adaptive reuse of the roofless carriage house currently on the site.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zDE1v7eFH7Bvo2OECk6oPknezMc=/0x0:3840x2160/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10809191/Alfred_Townhomes_OOMBRA_Architects.jpg
105 Alfred Street

LMich

May 10, 2018, 7:45 AM

:slob:

I love what City Modern - and even the Scott - has done for Brush Park. No more boring Crosswinds townhomes; that era, mercifully, looks to be over.

Docta_Love

May 11, 2018, 8:49 PM

I love that adaptive reuse at 2827 John R.

Part of a larger investment into federally owned properties downtown, upgrades coming to McNamara Building as well.

GSA to start $89.5 million renovation this summer to consolidate regional federal workforce

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
May 11, 2018

-$89.5 million project announced in 2015
-Project will bring together about 12 federal agencies, 1,900 employees
-The Christman Co. named construction manager

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/985%20michigan_i.jpg?itok=IY1DoHjl

The U.S. General Services Administration plans to start work this summer to renovate a Detroit office building and consolidate federal government presence there.

The $89.5 million project, announced in 2015, will bring together about 12 federal agencies and 1,900 employees in one building at 985 Michigan Ave. Approximately 800 people currently work there.

...

It is also spending $140 million to correct building deficiencies and improve systems at the historic Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in downtown Detroit. That project is expected to finish in late 2019. Around $12 million in mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades to several floors of the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building, also downtown, is expected to finish in summer 2020.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180511/news/660421/gsa-to-start-895-million-renovation-this-summer-to-consolidate-regional

subterranean

May 11, 2018, 11:04 PM

Seven-story building, mixed-use development proposed in Brush Park (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/9/17335748/seven-story-building-proposed-brush-park)

105 Alfred Street

Reminds me a bit of this building in the N. Williams area of Portland:

https://goo.gl/maps/gaBgwzgSHo42

The North One

May 11, 2018, 11:12 PM

Edit: already posted

DetroitSky

May 13, 2018, 1:20 AM

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/10/17338986/70-new-rehabbed-homes-coming-to-the-north-end-grandmont-rosedale

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PnVvEaorp5mUjk9bu_nTa96_ejw=/0x0:5867x3300/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:5867x3300)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10813947/Marston_Aerial__HiRes_.jpg

I drove through the North End today and photographed this project as well as many other houses in the neighborhood being restored. The photo shows the area in the North End on Marston and Mount Vernon streets between Woodward and John R. The apartment building and a house on Marston already appear to have begun renovations and have new windows. I'll post photos of this area as well as other developments in the neighborhood later.

88 miles of Detroit roads will be repaved this year (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/10/17340144/88-miles-of-detroit-roads-repaved-this-year)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KwgKT8zdWEfduMFq8mJLKuM61Bk=/0x0:590x455/920x613/filters:focal(266x126:360x220)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59693387/unnamed.0.jpg

This article from March 2018 (http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/03/meijer_to_open_6_small_urban_s.html) mentions the planned small format Meijer store announced for East Jefferson near downtown is going to break ground this summer with a planned opening in 2019. Here's a look back at the rendering from the announcement in October 2017:

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nNL2C3n-akir67EOsA8Tr-lTaEA=/0x0:3600x1941/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3600x1941)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9544301/1475_E._Jefferson_Ave.jpg
Source (https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/10/26/16552804/mixed-use-development-meijer-east-detroit)

DetroitSky

May 13, 2018, 4:32 AM

Here's those photos from around that North End block, as well as some other developments I've come across recently.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/951/42070995381_75608d0e87_b.jpg
Mount Vernon Street. The red house already appears to be under renovation, and farther down the street is an apartment building that also appears to have begun work. The house between them is currently occupied.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/966/40263483030_2f669425e9_b.jpg
Here's the apartments down Mount Vernon. You can also see the Seward/Wellington apartments in the background.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/831/28198261698_a8a86f981f_b.jpg
Looking east down Mount Vernon from Woodward. All those empty lots on both sides of the street will be built on.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/42070958321_f448792b70_b.jpg
John R and Marston Street. This is the corner where the new apartment building will be built. It seems the rowhouses on the right in this photo will be renovated as well.

And some other miscellaneous stuff from today

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/975/42026118702_cde9550563_b.jpg
257 & 263 Marston Street

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/963/40263425920_6ced2b1691_b.jpg
420 Mount Vernon Street

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/828/40263415020_5fca2b2a94_b.jpg
415-417 Mount Vernon Street

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/827/42026088822_e63e7d3b25_b.jpg
The Seward/Wellington. According to the new website, its now called Wellington Square.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/961/42026056382_fe6e77473d_b.jpg
American Riad project, Euclid at Oakland. This project involves the corner commercial building and the house to the left, as well as the courtyard between them. The developers, a group of artists, plans on having 8-10 affordable residential units in the two buildings and 6 businesses connected by a central riad-based on traditional Moroccan courtyards commonly used to socialize amongst neighbors. The commercial building is currently occupied only by Red Jazz Shoe Shine, which will stay in the building. The project's website can be seen here. (http://www.ghanathinktank.org)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/974/41171009815_0ea3045327_b.jpg
St. Rita Apartments

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/906/42071011691_79368b50c6_b.jpg
1602 Clairmount Street. There's a sign on one of the windows stating "renovations underway", including a rendering of the finished product.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/967/27200726567_4257b59291_b.jpg
Cass Community Social Services is currently working on the second phase of their tiny homes project. These are on Richton near Woodrow Wilson

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/904/27200716147_40018ecab6_b.jpg
There were 3 or 4 more foundations to the west of the more complete homes above

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/972/27200760427_97305556f1_b.jpg
1720 Taylor Street

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/961/42071062351_9a8e99ba8c_b.jpg
Originally a synagogue, then a baptist church, then abandoned for a few years, this building is now being renovated to become Central Detroit Christian Community Center.

And these two were taken on May 10

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/831/42029746871_cf9777fcc4_b.jpg
2304 Trumbull in Woodbridge. They were working on the interior as I walked by. It looks much better than it did.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/965/42029752291_b7fe0c783e_b.jpg
The new senior apartment building at Woodbridge Estates

LMich

May 13, 2018, 5:26 AM

OMG, you got to the two areas where I spent my early years. lol Mount Vernon is actually one of the badder-looking (or at least intact) streets in that neighborhood, so it's good to see this. My great-grandparents lived on Mount Vernon. My father's family grew up just a few blocks north; that street is more intact and the neighbors generally have kept up the vacant lots. The lot where my dad's family's house stood is maintained by the homeowners on either side; we found out that they are relatives of the people who used to live in those homes. I took these a bit more than a year ago. The other big thing about his old street is that you can still see it has its old trees even though there are many vacant lots:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/27258393190_8c1f48dde9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HwJoCo)20160605_144905 (https://flic.kr/p/HwJoCo)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7791/27534873685_ff363b1dc1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HXaqDt)The North End (https://flic.kr/p/HXaqDt)

Basically, most anything still standing between Woodward and John R seems to have been moved into/under renovation/occupied/bought-awaiting renovation as far as I could tell, and redevelopment seems to be creeping east. We went back a few years ago with my grandmother to visit old neighbors who still live on her old street. I'll be happy if they can bring Oakland back. To me that's the real test. If they can hem the residential neighborhoods back in between Woodward and Oakland, then you're cooking with gas.

Clairmont and Woodrow Wilson is around where my mother grew up as a child. This west side set of neighborhoods is more intact than the older North End (which is on the east side), but it also looked to me that redevelopment is still in its infancy, here. With it being more intact, though, it's going to take less to bring it back.

Thanks for all of this neighborhood stuff. Stuff truly is happening everywhere.

DetroitSky

May 13, 2018, 7:01 AM

LMich, thats such a weird coincidence! Are you still in the Detroit area? If not and you'd like me to photograph some addresses for you I'd be happy to.

Its honestly crazy how many developments theres been in the North End recently. Every time I drive through there I find more renovations I hadn't seen before. Its like that with many neighborhoods now, though. Its mind blowing.

I'm glad you enjoy the neighborhood photos! There will be more to come.

LMich

May 14, 2018, 12:34 PM

A click-baitey headline. But the article answers the question: greater downtown Detroit is not in any danger, right now, of overbuilding residential units.

Are there enough people to fill downtown Detroit condos, apartments?

By John Gallgher | Detroit Free Press

May 14, 2018

So many new residential units are being built in the greater downtown Detroit that the question naturally arises: Are there really people to fill them all?

So far, the answer has been "yes." With millennials pouring into the city to work for Quicken Loans and other employers, newly opened residential projects in the greater downtown continue to fill up quickly.

DuCharme Place, an 185-unit apartment building that opened last year near Lafayette Park east of downtown is full and runs a small waiting list — a typical result with projects like the Scott on Woodward or the Broderick Tower on Grand Circus Park.

Yet that's just a partial list. The total of new apartments and condos either recently opened, under construction or in planning pushes toward 5,000 units. And that in a downtown virtually abandoned as recently as 15 to 20 years ago.

Many developers scoff at the idea that the greater downtown is getting overbuilt. David DiRita, a partner in the Roxbury Group, which has completed several projects including a renovation of the David Whitney Building, said its residential projects continue to fill up.

"We’re still not at the numbers down here that a metropolitan area of our size can support," DiRita said. "I think we’ve got a lot of room to run still."

https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/john-gallagher/2018/05/14/downtown-detroit-apartment-condo-construction/597866002/

The article does say, however, that there may be a restaurant bubble.

Docta_Love

May 14, 2018, 10:39 PM

$1 million redesign of East Jefferson in Detroit kicks off

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
May 14, 2018

-Construction to be complete by July 4
-Bike paths to connect to Belle Isle, riverfront
-Part of mayor's plan for more pedestrian-friendly city

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/detroit%20bike%20lane_i.jpg?itok=qeR_XJp4

The city of Detroit on Monday kicked off a $1 million redesign of East Jefferson Avenue that will cut two lanes of the thoroughfare to make way for bike lanes, slow speeds and improve pedestrian safety.

The project, first reported last month, is expected to be complete by July 4, city spokesman Tim Carroll said. The 5.4-mile stretch of road will remain open to traffic throughout the three phases of construction.

"We are executing this project with the specific goal of making Jefferson as safe as possible," said Ron Brundidge, director of public works for the city.

EAST JEFFERSON REDESIGN
Work on Jefferson Avenue will be done in three phases:

Phase 1: From Lakewood to St. Jean
Phase 2: From St. Jean to Van Dyke
Phase 3: From Van Dyke to Rivard
For more details, visit detroitmi.gov/eastjefferson.

The plan, which has drawn ire and praise, is to reduce the road from three lanes in each direction to two from Lakewood Street in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood on the far east side to Rivard Street near downtown. Bicycle lanes with plenty of protective space from the roadway will take their place and pedestrians will have shorter crossing distances.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180514/news/660616/1-million-redesign-of-east-jefferson-in-detroit-kicks-off

Rizzo

May 14, 2018, 11:09 PM

^ wow this is great news. I’ve biked a few times up and down Jefferson and was nervous riding in the travel lanes since people drive well above the speed limit

Docta_Love

May 15, 2018, 10:10 PM

Ford to shareholders: 'We expect to grow our presence in Detroit'

By CHAD LIVENGOOD
Crain's Detroit Business
May 15, 2018

"Given the company's dismal stock performance, please explain how the purchase of an abandoned train depot will add to shareholder value. If Ford does buy the Detroit rail station building in Detroit, will the building be devoted to just Ford or will parts of the building be leased out to other tenants?" the shareholder asked, according to a transcript.

Ford officials did not directly answer the shareholder's question about how it intends to use the train station.

But the company's answer to shareholders hinted at the reasoning behind expanding its workforce presence in Detroit beyond the Factory building on Michigan Avenue that the company already has said will house 200-plus employees from its electric and automotous vehicle teams.

"As a company we are in a race for talent when it comes to the vehicle, software and data engineers that are developing the autonomous technology and creating mobility experiences and services that will transform the way people connect and interact," the company said.

"That is why we continue to build out our presence in Palo Alto, advance our software capabilities at FordLabs in Ann Arbor, transform our Dearborn campus, and why we are moving our AV and EV teams to Corktown in Detroit. We expect to grow our presence in Detroit and will share more details in the future."

It's unclear just how much of Ford's AV and EV teams will be relocated to Detroit.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180515/news/660771/ford-to-shareholders-we-expect-to-grow-our-presence-in-detroit

Docta_Love

May 15, 2018, 11:17 PM

Some new pics of Bedrock's 3D skyline model.

Bedrock’s 3D model shows Detroit’s skyline of the near future

By Robin Runyan
Curbed Detroit
May 10, 2018

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IGEXRZvqLWClvE4xSCaQW2IroSg=/0x0:2048x1365/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2048x1365):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10813749/BedrockModel_129.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q3WDEwcfytYlIL4jC1lX31TvcLU=/0x0:2048x1365/920x613/filters:focal(911x253:1237x579):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59689137/BedrockModel_126.0.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MfTnWLXoEOK87DiwZYyuU6nBaCw=/0x0:2048x1365/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2048x1365):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10813843/BedrockModel_106.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9ZuIgtfhd9OnrCDKNwQtxFnJ7Xg=/0x0:2048x1365/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2048x1365):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10813841/BedrockModel_104.jpg

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zVt4Lb38ueP44ZIHg8RH_2H0XD4=/0x0:2048x1365/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2048x1365):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10813783/BedrockModel_113.jpg

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/10/17338870/bedrocks-3d-model-shows-detroits-skyline-near-future

seabee1526

May 16, 2018, 2:03 PM

Is the Monroe Blocks project reflected in the model?

subterranean

May 16, 2018, 3:41 PM

Is the Monroe Blocks project reflected in the model?

Yes. In the header image, it is to the right of the Hudson Block.

LMich

May 18, 2018, 9:07 AM

Well, it's now be officially proposed.

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/cae5b378aa03264499ccd530fc189ff7d29cc1ec/c=377-0-2622-1688&r=x408&c=540x405/local/-/media/2018/05/17/DetroitFreeP/DetroitFreePress/636621790309268994-20180417-1002-Neighborhood-Presentation-PRINT-5.jpg

Big buildings planned for Detroit's once-desolate Brush Park

By JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press

May 17, 2018

Three new buildings have been proposed for Detroit's Brush Park, a once-desolate neighborhood near Little Caesars Arena that is now buzzing with construction activity.

The biggest of the three is a seven-story structure planned for a dirt lot at John R and Edmund Place.

The building — to be called 112 Edmund — would feature ground-floor retail topped by two floors of commercial space and four floors of about 32 condominiums, each unit likely priced above $400,000.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/2018/05/17/detroit-brush-park-development/620519002/

A reminder of the components of the project via Curbed Detroit:

112 Edmund

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uR9LTpUMn20Y3I-Urxvi43UXbQc=/0x0:1920x1080/920x613/filters:focal(807x387:1113x693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59681739/112_Edmund_East_Elevation_OOMBRA_Architects.0.jpg

2827 John R

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XsGU5swWZKYhFfxC8SmNDU04jRM=/0x0:1920x1080/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10809195/2827_NE_Corner_OOMBRA_Architects.jpg

105 Alfred

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zDE1v7eFH7Bvo2OECk6oPknezMc=/0x0:3840x2160/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3840x2160)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10809191/Alfred_Townhomes_OOMBRA_Architects.jpg

DetroitSky

May 20, 2018, 2:39 AM

I posted construction photos on this Canine To Five expansion project a week or so ago. A three month renovation of the original store is set to begin in July as well:

Canine to Five finally expanding its Midtown location (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/7/17327644/canine-to-five-finally-expands-cass-corridor-location)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zFr6Ni6gLf04SCRg2N4Fypi4Hh4=/0x0:1280x738/920x613/filters:focal(538x267:742x471)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59654193/addition_facade.0.jpg

MarxModa opens Detroit headquarters in historic downtown building
(https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/18/17361652/marx-moda-opens-detroit-headquarters-historic-downtown-building)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DtipaWN_D5BfjYPeFwJjJ59JHBA=/0x0:2048x1365/920x613/filters:focal(861x520:1187x846)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59777589/MarxModa_100.0.jpg

Living Trades Academy, a restoration job training program, launches in the North End (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/3/12/17106374/living-trades-academy-launches-pilot-job-training-program-north-end)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3ap0OwCVQxHUHnAoY8jGRQplww8=/0x0:2048x1365/920x613/filters:focal(984x505:1310x831)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58998999/944King_102.0.jpg
^Living Trades Academy is working to turn this former church into a community center, as well as restoring the house to the east of it.

Gilberts buy 17-foot-tall statue for Detroit's Campus Martius (https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/2018/05/18/kaws-statue-detroit-campus-martius-dan-gilbert-waiting/623440002/)

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/2d106535b198df04c3771998e420e03e3c3acf99/c=0-170-1594-2295&r=537&c=0-0-534-712/local/-/media/2018/05/18/DetroitFreeP/DetroitFreePress/636622472518447827-16-waiting-02.jpg

LMich

May 21, 2018, 11:12 AM

I was looking through some recent council agendas, and found somethings from the May 17th planning & economic development committee:

1. The Planning & Development Department (P&DD) submitted a purchase offer for the land at 119 Garfield (at John R) in Midtown for a project animated last posted about here last June.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/animindigo/sugar-hill-renderingjpg-3d3f6a66fd2dcddd_zpsobgqkjaa.jpg

The proposal includes 85 residential units. The next step would include the developer entering into a development agreement with P&DD since this is a Planned District (PD) zoning designation.

2. A small development, but P&DD submitted another purchase agreement with a developer looking to construct what I imagine is a small office building a 11621 Linwood on the west side. This is directly across the street from Central High School's baseball field near the corner with Burlingame. The two existing corner buildings look to be half-way occupied (i.e. the apartments upstairs look to be used)? I wonder if this would include redoing those two? Anyway, I found this one to be notable because more than housing, some of the first stuff removed in the neighborhoods were retail and commerical buildings along the streets.

3. The public hearing for the rezoning for the Studio Live project we talked about last month was held.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GeegNdtvlrKPyakSV-EO-FlGMOQ=/0x0:1629x1202/920x613/filters:focal(685x471:945x731)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57970057/Screen_Shot_2017_12_13_at_1.54.38_PM.0.png

This is a major upzoning essentially expanding the zoning definition of New Center, and will allow the 8-story apartment building addition.

subterranean

May 22, 2018, 5:51 PM

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/detroit_project_collage_i.jpg
Michigan Strategic Fund greenlights $618 million in brownfield incentives for Gilbert
May 21, 2018 at 3:31 PM by KIRK PINHO

The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday approved about $618 million in brownfield incentives for $2.14 billion in Dan Gilbert projects in downtown Detroit. It's the first time the state has approved such incentives, which were put into place following passage of a law enacted last year that allows the capture of certain taxes to help bolster development in Michigan communities.

Source: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180522/news/661356/michigan-strategic-fund-greenlights-618-million-in-brownfield

mousquet

May 22, 2018, 8:33 PM

I just took a little time to read this Crain's article out of curiosity, cause these massive "incentives" granted to Gilbert's company at taxpayer expense seemed intriguing.

But then it appears only people who'll somehow benefit from opportunities offered by these projects will pay for the related state-funded incentives.
So no one should complain.

Pretty smart. That's a good deal for now, I guess.
These are big projects.

DetroitSky

May 22, 2018, 10:19 PM

LMich

May 23, 2018, 7:53 AM

I'm a big art deco fan, but the facade of the Majestic has always looked so cheap, and even worse than that is how poorly maintained its been. I'd rather they tear that off and try to recreate something approximating the original, or even just something simple with some actual windows or openings on it. It's such a crummy face for such an important and prominent entertainment venue.

deja vu

May 23, 2018, 8:39 PM

Majestic Theatre complex getting $1 million makeover in Midtown (http://https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/05/22/majestic-theatre-complex-getting-1-million-makeover-midtown/633525002/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it)

About time! A new marquee inspired by the 1935 one, increased capacity, a new lobby, the ability to double the amount of shows and the facade repairs seem to be the highlight. I’m really excited to see how this turns out.

I can't view the link because I'm probably maxed on on Freep articles for the week, but I knew that there was once a Marquee. Since I can't see if the article included photos -

https://gabdsw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4mH_RHonQlAgKDICPx3qhnThN2zm6eBJS8kJqt9YeyMLrR7P2wxuZjMDCaPkQ__QHVfxtbQuTWj37Bo9_7vSpDFlsrCeK4dnOYxNOh_Tb3R-jM0dnTyrBYiQIJWePv4jtoYHdT_d0nFrj3xjaIU_Gpz-yWMNRiff7MwfshyUjtpiEJmirp81jAvI9CBV7XO2pb2Nap5BFHJ1uEY2T_nFT-sw?width=1024&height=830&cropmode=none
Source: DetroitYes (https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?13631-Detroit-s-Theatre-Architect-C-Howard-Crane)

LMich

May 24, 2018, 9:36 AM

The hipsters have found Core Cities! I repeat, the hipsters have found Core Cities! Code Tweed!

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/b3d686e2c558c0fb87bf1e8508869aac64f0801c/c=47-0-1553-1132&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2018/05/23/DetroitNews/DetroitNews/636626826950711463-Aerial-View-of-Grand-River-Warren-preview.jpeg

Mixed-use $2.5M complex underway on Detroit’s west side (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/careers/professional-development/2018/05/23/detroit-core-city-development-underway-west-side/637735002/)

By Sarah Rahal | The Detroit News

May 24, 2018

Detroit — Developments are underway for the Core City neighborhood on Detroit's west side.

The Detroit-based Prince Concepts real estate company, which developed Detroit's Takoi restaurant and the True North mixed-use project, announced plans Wednesday for a 50,000-square-foot development near Grand River and Warren.

The phase Prince Concepts is introducing is estimated to cost $2.5 million and has already started, said founder Philip Kafka.

The phases:

Plans include:

The Sawtooth — A mixed-use hub at 4884 Grand River, it will house new commercial spaces: Astro Coffee will expand early this summer from its Corktown storefront to a 3,500-square-foot space inside The Sawtooth with an Et Al-designed roasting facility, Ochre Bakery and retail space; the Lafayette American advertising agency; and a commissary kitchen. They will join Prince Concepts offices, Underdog Boxing and an artisanal jewelry company.
5K — Formerly a grocery store, the 12,000-square-foot 1950s building will be turned into eight gallery-style apartments with ground-level retail. The building will share a winter garden and courtyard with the neighborhood.
Magnet — Takoi Chef Brad Greenhill is embarking on a new 2,100-square-foot restaurant and bar called Magnet. The menu will be vegetable-centric.
The Caterpillar — Live-and-work rental units will give each tenant 1,300-1,900 square feet. The project is in the early design phases involving Undecorated, Stamberg Aferiat + Associates and Studio Detroit.

No, but really, good to see development creeping further and further out of the greater downtown area. The developer's website is interesting with some interior renovation shots and such.

The Best Forumer

May 24, 2018, 5:17 PM

This is good news.

Docta_Love

May 24, 2018, 9:33 PM

The hipsters have found Core Cities! I repeat, the hipsters have found Core Cities! Code Tweed!

Haha!

Southwest is getting some big investment. It's about time .. before the Lofts @ Merchants Row was even started and subsequent residential market boom in greater downtown began its current run, S.W. was the only center of growth in the city.

There have been some good investments in the area especially around the Super Bowl but looks like things may be getting serious & perhaps there is a comprehensive plan not just some one off streetscape improvements.

Clark Park, West Vernor corridor framework revealed

Splash pad, mixed-income housing, and more

By Robin Runyan
Curbed Detroit
May 23, 2018

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t8wdO5CFlVj2fCIASwOU_EC4cgw=/0x0:1900x1095/920x613/filters:focal(798x396:1102x700):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59828061/clark_park_zocalo.0.jpg

The framework was just presented at a community meeting and is available on the Planning Department’s site. Built on the 20-minute neighborhood idea, residents should be able to get what they need by foot, bike, or transit. One notable fact from this study: while Detroit’s population has declined, the population of Southwest Detroit has actually increased eight percent between 2010 and 2015.

What can we expect in Southwest Detroit?

The plan says there is a need for about 500 new residential units in the neighborhood over the next five years. The focus here should be rehabbing existing multi-family buildings (the study notes there is less interest in detached single-family housing). Housing should also be offered for a range of incomes.

In terms of retail, the plan states that focus should be on vacant parcels along West
Vernor, Springwells, and Bagley. They note that hurdles to redevelopment include parking, code upgrades, and absentee landlords.

Streetscape improvements for better mobility should include bike lanes, lighting, and improved pedestrian crossings.

Park improvements include a splash pad at Clark Park, rehabbing of properties close to parks, multi-use paths and sidewalk improvements, and lighting upgrades.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/23/17385396/clark-park-west-vernor-corridor-improvement-plans-revealed

Business-heavy Mexicantown avenue to be remade as shared street

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
May 23, 2018

-City of Detroit laid out three-year plan to transform southwest's West Vernor corridor

-$2.4 million slated for improvements to Clark Park

-Part of wide efforts to strengthen walkability, infrastructure in neighborhoods

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/bagley%20shared%20street-main_i.png?itok=BctG3Zd8

A commercial-heavy Mexicantown avenue will be remade into a shared street and millions will be poured into Clark Park improvements under a plan for Detroit's West Vernor corridor.

After the city's recent expansion of its Strategic Neighborhood Fund investments in areas outside downtown, it has laid out a vision for the southwest Detroit corridor that planning director Maurice Cox said complements its existing walkability and diversity.

The city planning department revealed the neighborhood framework at a community meeting Tuesday night, city spokesman Tim Carroll said.

...

; http://www.detroitmi.gov/Government/Departments-and-Agencies/Planning-and-Development-Department/West-Vernor

...

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/bagley%20shared%20street%20map-01_i.png?itok=m01MOZVd

A highlight of the three-year strategy is revamping two restaurant-lined Bagley Avenue blocks in Mexicantown as Detroit's first shared street, Cox said. The blocks run between the Fisher Service Drive and 24th Street.

The concept is a flat street without raised sidewalks that's more flexible for festivals and markets, with foliage and overhead "artistic" lighting, according to the framework plan. It'll still be accessible to vehicles at most times.

Construction is expected to start in 2019, after the city reaches out for community input on design in the next several weeks, said lead city planner Karen Gage. The Bagley redesign and Vernor Highway streetscape improvements will cost a total of $5.4 million.

Around $2.4 million in improvements will aim to make southwest's already popular Clark Park a "visible, noticeable public space" and a "front door" for the community, Cox said.

Work will start this summer with light installation. A splash pad fountain and zocalo, or traditional Mexican public plaza, are to follow, the framework plan said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180523/news/661576/business-heavy-mexicantown-avenue-to-be-remade-as-shared-street

LMich

May 25, 2018, 8:08 AM

Crain's has some news on four different developments on right outside downtown on the east side. This is crazy.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeAWgvpUQAA7VfZ.jpg

Shapero Hall in Lafayette Park to be razed for 374 new residential units

By Kirk Pinho, Detroit Crain's Business

May 24, 2018

A long-vacant former Wayne State University pharmacy school in Detroit's Lafayette Park neighborhood is expected to be razed as part of a plan to redevelop the 5.2 acres on which the building sits.

"That bad boy is coming down," Amin Irving, the 374-unit project's developer, told a crowd of more than 100 Thursday night during a community meeting for Lafayette Park residents to be briefed on Irving's plan and those of four other developers working on projects in and around the neighborhood. Some in attendance cheered when Irving told them of his plans to demolish the 151,000-square-foot Shapero Hall building owned by Detroit real estate investor Dennis Kefallinos.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180525/news/661756/shapero-hall-in-lafayette-park-to-be-razed-for-374-new-residential

Details:

The project referred to as Lafayette West is planned to have 314 apartments and 60 for-sale condominiums. It would include a 12-story mid-rise building and a five-story building.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/LafayetteWest-main_i.jpg?itok=yistriVh

Shapero Hall:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeAWhByU0AAV1V9.jpg
Kirk Pinho (https://twitter.com/kirkpinhoCDB/status/999823929668767745)

From the article above, some additional information on the nearby Friends site:

Tentative details were also revealed about projects on prime chunks of land that have sold in greater downtown in the last nine months.

A joint venture between Southfield-based Woodborn Partners LLC, Detroit-based Broder & Sachse Real Estate Services Inc. and Hunter Pasteur is planning to turn the 4-acre former Friends School site in Elmwood Park into a 248-unit residential development called Pullman Parc with about 148 apartments and 80 for-sale condominiums. A groundbreaking is expected in the fourth quarter or in the first quarter of next year.

And the nearby Joe Mauer site:

But representatives from the developer said Thursday night that between 160 and 180 residential units are planned in the first phase of a redevelopment that's expected to kick off with groundbreaking in April. There would be a five-story building on Gratiot and a four-story building on St. Aubin, and 25,000-30,000 square feet of retail would be incorporated into the plan.

And the Eastern Market Gateway site:

Develop Detroit Inc., headed up by Sonya Mays, plans to break ground in June 2019 on a 253-unit mixed-use project that would include 25,000 square feet of retail and 331 parking spaces near Gratiot Avenue and Russell Street. Mays said earlier this year that the project is expected to cost $106 million.

The project would have 87 studio apartments, 126 one-bedroom apartments, 31 two-bedroom apartments, three three-bedroom apartments and six live/work units. Twenty percent or more of them would be affordable.

And the nearby 1475 East Jefferson Meijer site:

East Jefferson Development Co. LLC — a joint venture between Bloomfield Hills-based Lormax Stern Development Co. LLC, Dennis Archer Jr. and Marcel Burgler of Grand Rapids-based Prime Development — is expected to break ground in October on the city's third Meijer Inc. retail store along with 213 apartments at 1475 E. Jefferson Ave.

The apartments are expected to include 60 studios, 104 one-bedroom and 49 two-bedroom units with completion by the first quarter of 2020, Archer Jr. said.

e-dub

May 26, 2018, 11:35 PM

so... who's at the festival, then? this is the first year i've missed it since 2010 and i'm reeeally bummed out :(

Docta_Love

May 28, 2018, 12:54 AM

The nugget to be taken out of this is that Ford is close to closing a deal to acquire MCD, it's past the 2 weeks initially stated but still pretty quick by Detroit standards for a big project (if it goes down).

Revitalization efforts knock buildings off list of neglected properties

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
May 27, 2018

-Ford Motor Co. close to finalizing deal on Michigan Central Station
-Majority of 50 vacant buildings in central business district rehabbed or being rehabbed
-Millions in retail and residential space being developed

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/DetroitDowntownBuildings-collage-main_i.jpg?itok=8YFqRsGV
From left: Harvard Square Centre, Old Wayne County Building, The United Artists Building, Former Detroit Free Press HQ, Former Stardard Savings and Loan

The Michigan Central Station — yes, that Michigan Central Station — will almost certainly be redeveloped as Ford Motor Co. is in the waning stages of finalizing a purchase and development agreement with the Moroun family.

...

With the Dearborn-based auto giant swooping in to make the depot the anchor of what is expected to be a large campus in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, west of downtown, another of the city's neglected urban ruins is slated to be erased from the once long list of neglected real estate all but left for dead.

Two and a half years ago, Crain's detailed the remaining vacant eyesores in the central business district, with nine highlighted based on interviews with brokers, developers, architects and other real estate experts. In those 30 months, two-thirds of them have been purchased and viable redevelopment plans have been revealed, leaving a handful of large buildings left to renovate and bring back online.

The dearth of vacant buildings is undeniably a good thing, but it also creates a market squeeze. New construction costs are higher than renovation costs, and not everyone in need of good real estate has the pockets of Dan Gilbert, the Ilitch family or Ford to build a new office property.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180527/news/661921/revitalization-efforts-knock-buildings-off-list-of-neglected-properties

LMich

May 29, 2018, 11:54 AM

Some neighborhoods in southwest Detroit are seeing home prices spiking.

Some southwest Detroiters see the downside to booming home prices (https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/05/29/southwest-detroit-home-values/616053002/)

By Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press

May 29, 2018

While McGirr said they have enjoyed their time in the quiet neighborhood just west of Corktown, behind the popular Honey Bee La Colmena, they put the house back on the market when Josef-Ben got a job in Boston this year.

The bungalow they purchased for $170,000 two years ago is now pending a sale for $239,000.

"Our agent from O'Connor (Real Estate) came up with a few figures based on what's been selling and how the neighborhood looks," McGirr said, adding that the jump in price for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,396-square-foot house feels satisfying.

"It makes our time here worthwhile, and what we've turned into a very comfortable home? I'm happy to see others see that value as well."

The 40% spike in price for 1438 Seventeenth St. could be surprising for some — especially since the home sold for just $39,000 in 2013, following a mortgage foreclosure.

The house is not particularly big. And it lacks historical charm — it was built in 2005 by Bagley Housing for low- to moderate-income families. But it's in a stable, densely populated neighborhood that's walking distance to a market and restaurants.

And the price rise reflects a growing trend.

On a cool spring day last week, Johnny Espino stood outside his family's home on Hubbard, pointing out houses on the block as his children appeared and disappeared back into the house. At 40, Espino rents a room in the house his mother owns in Hubbard Farms. He pays around $500 a month.

"That one sold for $110,000. I heard that's going for $177,000," he said about one house on the block. "The rich are coming back and buying homes for any price you put on it. We could probably put this house on the market for a quarter of a million and it would sell."

He may not be exaggerating. One street over, a house on Vinewood in the nearby historical Hubbard Farms is pending a sale for $300,000. That home was built in 1900. It's 2,879 square feet with four bedrooms, two baths.

Docta_Love

May 29, 2018, 4:48 PM

I really like the Shapero Hall site project. I'm also very much looking forward to see what the final designs look like for the new DIA Campus.

DIA selects 8 finalists in cultural campus design competition

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
May 25, 2018

-Master planning aimed at creating cohesive look
-Would encompass 12 cultural, art and education institutions in Midtown
-Finalists to present to public June 13 and 14

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/DIAExteriorwithfountain_i.jpg?itok=o9fV4OLU

The Detroit Institute of Arts and Midtown Detroit Inc. chose eight finalists for their design competition to create a cohesive city cultural campus.

The project, which kicked off in February, would make over the city's cultural district in Midtown from the DIA to the Detroit Public Library, with a focus on walkability, wayfinding and public art.

Those selected come from as far away as Paris and as near as Minneapolis, out of 44 submissions from 10 countries, according to a DIA news release. Spackman Mossop Michaels, which has offices in Syndey, New Orleans and Detroit, is already involved in the city through the Detroit Fitzgerald neighborhood revitalization project.

The groups will present to the public June 13 and 14 in the DIA's Danto Lecture Hall. From there, three will be chosen and present designs publicly Jan. 23.

-Spackman Mossop Michaels, which has offices in Detroit, Sydney and New Orleans; with team partners SITU, MIT Civic Data Design Lab, Brandan ---=-"BMike" Odums and Britney Stoney.

-Paris-based Agence ter, with team partners Akoaki, Harley Etienne, rootoftwo and TranssolarKlimaEngineering

-Oakland, Calif.-based Hood Design Studio, with team partners NADAAA, Alibi Studio, Culture Lab Detroit and Arup

-Boston-based Mikyoung Kim Design, with team partner James Carpenter Design Associates

-Boston-based Stoss Landscape Urbanism, with team partners McEwen Studio/A(n) Office, Tiff Massey and Tetra Tech

-Amsterdam-based UNStudio, with team partners SurfaceDesign, inFORM Studio, Futurecity, Giffels Webster, Silman and Atelier Ten
-Minneapolis-based Ten x Ten, with team partners MASS Design Group, D MET Studio, Atelier Ten and HR&A Advisors

-New York City-based WXY architecture + urban design, with team partners DesignJones LLC, Leong Leong, McEwen Studio/A(n) Office and Tiff Massey

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180525/news/661776/dia-selects-8-finalists-in-cultural-campus-design-competition

Tata Technologies to move HQ, 150 workers from Novi to Detroit's TechTown

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
May 25, 2018

-Leasing space in Albert Kahn-designed building at 6001 Cass Ave. from The Platform
-Auto supplier to move in by the early part of next year
-Tata is latest company to move its headquarters from the suburbs to Detroit

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/6001CassAvenue_i.jpg?itok=1XBvJGE-

The building, constructed in 1927 as the Cadillac LaSalle sales and service building, is expected to house more than 150 Tata Technologies workers following their move from their current headquarters at 41050 11 Mile Rd. east of Meadowbrook Road.

The Platform paid Wayne State $2 million for the building in December 2016, according to CoStar Group Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based real estate information service.

"Being part of Detroit's business environment will enable access to automotive, mobility and tech companies, thereby accelerating our growth strategy and, in return, allowing us to reinvest in the city with new jobs," CEO Warren Harris said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Tata Technologies declined to say if tax incentives were involved in the deal.

Oak Park-based PCI is the general contractor and architect on the project.

Others making the move into the city include Adient, Microsoft Corp., Google and LinkedIn, all of which bought or leased office space for headquarters or regional offices downtown in the last 18 months.

The Cass building, which will also house a Wayne State University art gallery, is part of a broader development known as Cass & York that is planned to include 52 high-end condominiums, apartments and a 550-space parking deck. The condos, located at 5935 Cass Ave., opened for pre-sales earlier this year.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180525/news/661791/tata-technologies-to-move-hq-150-workers-from-novi-to-detroits-techtown

State of Michigan seeks retail tenants for Cadillac Place in New Center

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
May 20, 2018

-State is looking to fill about 80,000 square feet of space
-New legislation would expand opportunities for dining and concession operators
-Rates expected at $17 per square foot-$20 per square foot

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/CadillacPlace-main_i.jpg?itok=HthMzy3K

Legislation passed last week and expected to be signed by Gov. Rick Snyder allows the state more flexibility in what types of tenants can occupy the state-owned building in the burgeoning neighborhood north of downtown along West Grand Boulevard and north of it.

Robert Burns, the director of real estate for the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, which oversees the state's real estate assets and leasing, said about two dozen businesses, mostly local, have walked through the first-floor retail space in the 1.4 million-square-foot Cadillac Place, the former General Motors Co. headquarters, since the legislation was introduced in the spring.

"We probably have eight who have expressed interest, three or four strongly so," he said. Burns declined to provide the names of the businesses but said they range from fine-dining restaurants to insurance companies, spas and clothiers to fitness clubs and entertainment uses.

In the New Center area, a bevy of development and leasing activity has largely bypassed Cadillac Place, which sits across from the Fisher Building and has about 80,000 square feet available. Among those spearheading those efforts are Detroit-based The Platform LLC, Midtown Detroit Inc.

Part of that has been attributed to a state requirement enacted in 1978 known as Public Act 260, which requires that blind people own dining and concession options in state-owned buildings. Senate bills 803 and 804 would lift that requirement for Cadillac Place alone and also allow liquor licenses for concessions in a state-owned office building of more than 1 million square feet.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180520/news/661186/state-of-michigan-seeks-retail-tenants-for-cadillac-place-in-new-center

Lyft plans permanent hub in Detroit

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
May 29, 2018

-Ride-sharing company to consolidate locations in the city
-Hub to be 3,000-5,000 square feet and open by fall
-New hub is part of $100 million nationwide investment

Lyft is planning to consolidate its Detroit operations and open a new permanent location in the city as part of a $100 million nationwide investment by the San Francisco-based ride-sharing company.

The new office will be 3,000-5,000 square feet and open by the fall, said Elliot Darvick, general manager of Lyft Detroit. Lyft's 10 full-time local employees, stationed at Tech Town and 2727 Second Ave. in Midtown, will work out of the space.

Darvick would not disclose the address or neighborhood of the new space, saying negotiations are nearing completion but not finalized. He also said he was unsure how much money would be invested in build-out of the office.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180529/news/661801/lyft-plans-permanent-hub-in-detroit

Wolverine Packing gets $2.13 million in state brownfield incentives for $40 million plant

By SHERRI WELCH
Crain's Detroit Business
May 22, 2018

-Company is building meat processing and cold storage plant in Eastern Market district
-It has seven sites in Detroit market but has run out of space
-Project includes renovation of picnic pavilion, walking path, playground, basketball court

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/core_colorbox/public/main_image/8090531/WolverinePacking-main_i.jpg?itok=HLUtzl86

....

The Michigan Strategic Fund board on Tuesday approved a request by Detroit's brownfield redevelopment authority to allow for the capture of local taxes to help fund the project, which is expected to create 50 jobs paying $18 per hour.

Separately, Wolverine is asking the city of Detroit to designate the property as an Industrial Development District, a designation that would give it a 12-year tax abatement. City Council approved the designation in February but has yet to consider the next step, issuance of an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate.

Wolverine is building the plant on about 8 acres just north of the Pepsi Bottling Plant, east of I-75, at 4225 Dequindre St.

Wolverine closed on the purchase of the property, previously a part of greenfield land known as Forest Park, from the city in January for $1.15 million, Wolverine Vice President Jay Bonahoom told Crain's in February.

Wolverine operates seven sites with more than 500 employees in Eastern Market but is capacity-constrained at those plants.

Bonaham said the new plant will serve as an expansion of its current operations and is not replacing or consolidating any of those.

He expects the project to be completed by spring 2019.

As planned, the new 178,000-square-foot plant will include freezer space, a mezzanine production area and shipping and receiving docks. The project will incorporate urban storm water management features including bioswales, porous pavers and storm water detention areas to reduce the impact of the development on the city's infrastructure and improve the environment.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180522/news/661401/wolverine-packing-gets-213-million-in-state-brownfield-incentives-for

Photos: Summer Downtown Detroit Markets program

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/teaser/8090936/cadillac%20square%20markets-01_i.jpg?itok=r1DJoG6n

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/beer%20garden%20cadillac%20square-04_i.jpg?itok=MVQLqyF5

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/cadillac%20square%20markets-06_i.jpg?itok=59lM_bx5

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/capitol%20park%20markets-08_i.jpg?itok=GlYF-YCR

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photoswipe/public/1441%20woodward%20interior-07_i.jpg?itok=yWcUmoU4

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/gallery/20180523/photos/661511/photos-summer-downtown-detroit-markets-program

deja vu

May 29, 2018, 5:02 PM

^The good news keeps coming - on all fronts! It's impressive to read about how far-reaching some of the the DIA / Cultural Center proposal finalists are - Paris, Amsterdam...

...In the New Center area, a bevy of development and leasing activity has largely bypassed Cadillac Place, which sits across from the Fisher Building and has about 80,000 square feet available. Among those spearheading those efforts are Detroit-based The Platform LLC, Midtown Detroit Inc. Part of that has been attributed to a state requirement enacted in 1978 known as Public Act 260, which requires that blind people own dining and concession options in state-owned buildings...

Never knew about this requirement. It applies to all eateries within State-owned buildings??

DetroitSky

May 29, 2018, 5:14 PM

I wonder if they’ll reconnect Russell Street with East Canfield as part of the Wolverine Packing project.

DetroitSky

May 29, 2018, 7:36 PM

The Wohlfeil Building near Eastern Market lists for $1.5M (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/25/17395008/the-wohlfiel-building-near-eastern-market-for-sale)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s_7793niib5jZIDJgV-kbAoPw8c=/0x0:2000x1333/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2000x1333)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11424853/L1280342.jpg

Renderings of the proposed project can be found here (http://laavustudio.com/gratiot-campus/) by Laavu Architects, which plans to move into one of the three spaces created in the adjacent single floor building.

G-Star RAW to open new store in downtown Detroit in July (https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/5/21/17376204/g-star-raw-open-new-store-in-downtown-detroit-in-july)

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oTSpVX9zF4ru2vP1QDTYiqrBXgU=/0x0:3827x7800/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3827x7800)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10895759/1419Woodward_GStarRaw_StreetView_Sm.jpg

deja vu

May 30, 2018, 3:17 AM

seabee1526

May 30, 2018, 5:38 PM

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180530/news/662156/morouns-transfer-ownership-of-train-station-to-mystery-company

Train Station ownership transfered

DetroitSky

May 31, 2018, 1:03 AM

^ I'm not a huge fan of how that G-Star RAW sign obscures the historic facade. Seems very tacky to me. Hopefully temporary. And...I can't help but think of the Portlandia skit at the high-end jeans retailer ("We don't sell jeans, we sell denim.")

That's not a sign, its just a label Curbed placed over the retail unit they're going to occupy. I drove by earlier today and they have "coming in July" signs in the windows.

I'm very excited to see what comes of Michigan Central Station. The former DPS book depository building was also sold as well!

Some updates:

May 16

89 E. Edsel Ford Freeway
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/910/42114768072_b29a07d67b_b.jpg

The Cass & York site has signs up. No shovels in the ground yet
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/27289645867_7915cee6c5_b.jpg

A little infill project at 59 Harper Avenue near Woodward between Maurice's and the house on the far right.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/974/27289628377_7e422b8b4c_b.jpg

The new WSU Data Center, Antoinette Street at Cass. Not the most attractive building, but its supposed to be extremely secure and up to date. Its being built on a parking lot and will include a lawn in front.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/970/41260286005_b9f6e2b4df_b.jpg

WSU Anthony Wayne Drive Apartments
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/825/42161189341_bc0c743219_b.jpg

WSU Chatsworth Tower Apartments renovation
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/824/42161179801_2e74f453b5_b.jpg

Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion at Henry Ford Hospital
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/906/28288699388_903ac75be6_b.jpg

Third & Grand
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/911/28288692728_31b8655d78_b.jpg

Northwest corner of Oakland and Josephine
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/980/40354198860_a557f38b2f_b.jpg

May 30

Banner Sign Company, 6538 Russell Street
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1744/27593401737_ddf9ac7dab_b.jpg

Wolverine Packing Company
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/42413169732_8fc40747eb_b.jpg

"Rise" mural at Detroit City Club Apartments
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1749/27593333267_7b4a328ed7_b.jpg

City Club Apartments CBD Detroit
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/41561129785_ae5f531a0c_b.jpg

A sign has been placed on the fence around the United Artists Building showing the plans for renovation. According to the sign, the building is now called Residences @ 150 Bagley. Anyone heard anything about whats to become of the theater portion?
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1733/40655230620_f97b8ebb7f_b.jpg

Farwell Buiding with the Book Tower to its left
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/889/40655221090_0681c45f45_b.jpg

"Waiting" has been installed in front of One Campus Martius. Not entirely sure how I feel about it...
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1754/41561081055_ca3c6fdf82_b.jpg

Demolition work at the underground garage at the Hudson's site
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/41740636074_5266baab58_b.jpg

Shinola Hotel
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1731/41740627964_5579888317_b.jpg

New church under construction on Van Dyke at East Warren. Looking at the site on a map, it appears the site had an abandoned apartment building and some empty lots.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1728/40655205550_ec4cb8d01f_b.jpg

3550 Mount Elliott Street, about three blocks from the Heidelberg Project. This was formerly a vacant lot.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1722/28590963728_6f4cc6e270_b.jpg

St. Charles Residences, a formerly abandoned Catholic school.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/41740605914_b591d6fa1f_b.jpg

The second phase of St. Charles includes 8 units on this site, which seems to have begun foundation work
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1740/42463678231_1518473c78_b.jpg

And phase 3 of St. Charles, this formerly abandoned apartment building at 1429 Townsend Street, is under renovation
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/898/42412996362_303b972f1f_b.jpg

Foundation work at Baltimore Station 2
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1729/27593197367_76bc5220df_b.jpg

207 East Baltimore Lofts
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1750/41561007025_a26f6fae0f_b.jpg

I'm not sure what this project is. Its at roughly 6400 Brush Street at the eastern end of East Baltimore. A few walls of an abandoned building were here within the past year or two. The construction seems odd, maybe an art installation?
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/894/41740548044_2a63fe714f_b.jpg