DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[LMich]

Is there some reason they are starting on another apartment building when they literally have two half-constructed shells left up for apartments in District Detroit? How are they justifying this unless they really just plan to build the garage and build something else later?

Then again, I imagine this may be to hit some deadlines in the development agreement, which only seem to mandate when construction has to start on other buildings in the district.

EDIT: Though, it seems they are filling up their office space.

More than 200 Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment and 313 Presents employees have moved into a new four-story mixed-use building at Little Caesars Arena along Woodward Avenue in The District Detroit. The move marks another milestone in the development of The District Detroit, a $1.2 billion investment which is adding new office, retail, residential and community spaces to Detroit’s remarkable comeback. The occupation of nearly 90,000 square-feet of office space coupled with Google’s announcement that nearly 100 of their employees are moving to office space along Henry Street means that all of the office space at the two buildings adjacent to Little Caesars Arena is allocated.

[subterranean]

Groundbreaking today for Gilbert's Hudson's site skyscraper
Dec 13, 2017 at 7:12 AM by KIRK PINHO

800-foot residential tower planned for 2-acre site $909 million project includes 330 apartments, separate mid-rise building Project expected to be completed by summer 2022

Source: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ite-skyscraper

[M. Brown]

Cool Video on Bedrock's YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/6A6r1lZzvZ4

[north 42]

^ Great video!

[mind field]

Ford to move self-driving, EV teams to Corktown
The Detroit News Published 4:30 p.m. ET Dec. 14, 2017


http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...own/108608450/

It was such a shame when Ford took all the workers out of the Ren Cen and moved them (presumably?) to Dearborn. Glad to see they are reinvesting in the city.

[subterranean]

More...

Ford to move 220 workers to former factory in Detroit's Corktown
Dec 14, 2017 at 9:34 PM

Dozens of companies in California are reportedly now test self-driving cars, with Samsung being the latest corporation to get permission from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. A team of more than 220 Ford workers developing driverless and electric vehicles is planning a move to Corktown, the oldest neighborhood in Detroit.

Source: https://amp-freep-com.cdn.ampproject.../amp/953367001

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

New development coming to New Center. The historic WJBK-TV building will be renovated with two new floors and an 8-story apartment building behind it. Groundbreaking expected in late 2018.



https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/12/1...ter-apartments

The article says "About 87 parking spots will be added underneath the existing and new buildings." This must mean that there's an existing basement under the WJBK-TV building, right? Presumably large enough to somehow accommodate cars? Interesting.

[Docta_Love]

The long-awaited mixed-use development plan for the 9.5-acre site at Michigan and Trumbull, formerly the site of Tiger Stadium.

Detroit Lions, NFL Foundation commit $750,000 to Detroit PAL project at old Tiger Stadium site

By TYLER CLIFFORD
Crain's Detroit Business
December 15, 2017




-Detroit Lions donate $500,000, NFL Foundation gives $250,000
-Grants will help with construction of the baseball field
-Detroit PAL plans to move into new headquarters in February


The Detroit Lions organization and NFL Foundation are teaming to donate $750,000 toward the Detroit Police Athletic League's construction of The Corner Ballpark at the former Tiger Stadium site.
Detroit Lions Charities has committed $500,000 over five years to the $20 million project to redevelop the baseball field. The Lions' grant will cover completion of the Hall of Heroes, on-deck plate and home team locker room, and gives the football team name recognition.

The Lions played their home games at the old Tiger Stadium in 1938-74 before leaving for the Pontiac Silverdome. The football team won two of its four NFL championships at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, then called Briggs Stadium, in the 1950s.

The other $250,000 is coming from the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, which will cover costs and installation of the football field turf. The program is a joint effort of the NFL Foundation with New York City-based Local Initiatives Support Corp., a nonprofit community development financial institution established by the Ford Foundation.

....

More than 13,800 kids participated in PAL this year, a news release said.

The baseball field is a part of a $44 million mixed-use development on 9.5 acres. The property will include a 10,000-square-foot PAL headquarters.

Construction of the development, which kicked off in June 2016, is nearing completion with the synthetic turf installed, stadium lights are up and building is close to completion, the news release said. PAL plans to move into the building in February, followed by a spring grand opening.

Adient Ltd. gave $2.8 million to be the presenting sponsor of facility known as The Corner Ballpark presented by Adient.

Walker, Mich.-based Meijer Inc. got naming rights to the playing field named the Willie Horton Field of Dreams, presented by Meijer after committing $750,000.

....

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...pal-project-at

[Detroit1995]

I hope Bedrock puts up a webcam to watch the construction progress of the tower.

By the way, I don't have any pictures, but it appears that some work is being done on the exterior of the Detroit Life Building. It's right behind the Fox.

Anybody have any news on that?

[canucklehead2]

What's the latest with Book Tower, btw? Has there been any rumours talk of reviving the idea of building the second 80-story tower? To me that has always been the true symbol of Detroit's rebound. If the complex is not only restored but finally completed as envisioned I'd die a happy Canadian fan of the city...

[LMich]

The overall Hudson site package includes redevelopment of the Book Tower and Building. It is currently being cleaned and prepped, but serious work doesn't start until 2019, I believe. No, there is no new construction planned for it aside from a parking garage for its redevelopment. In any case, the Book Tower - while one of my favorite buildings - is not seen as a significantly big deal in terms of overall redevelopment in the downtown. It's an important piece, but it is no way the focal piece of redevelopment of the core.

[LMich]

Chris Ilitch is showing off the glass on the Little Caesars Global Resource Center:


Annalise Frank


Annalise Frank


Annalise Frank


Annalise Frank

[deja vu]

That bent glass is pretty cool. Wonder how tedious to install though.

[subterranean]

^ oh wow, I didn’t realize they were bent until you pointed it out.

[DetroitSky]

****lengthy update ahead****

Observed but not photographed recently:

• The Eddystone renovations are underway
• The American Hotel is fenced off and I've noticed some lights on in the upper floors
• Former St. Charles school is being renovated into apartments in English Village
• James Burgess Book mansion is being restored in Indian Village
• Fifth Third Bank signage has been installed at the top of One Woodward
• Renovations are occurring at the Free Press Building
• Renovations are underway at the former Savoyard Center/State Savings Bank building

Updates from December 17, 2017:

Elton Park/Checker Cab building and UFO Factory


Detroit PAL's The Corner Ballpark


The Ashton site


2317 Vermont Street


1 Griswold Street/Church of Scientology project


Marquette Building


Unknown project on Cass Avenue near Parsons Street. The building immediately to the right was also undergoing renovations.


The Selden


644 & 666 Selden Street


From December 3 2017:

The first floor of the Fyfe Building has been remodeled and occupied by a convenience store


Grinnell and Fisher Arcade buildings


Storefront work at the Ferguson Building/1448 Woodward


The majority of 25 E. Grand River is undergoing work


Shinola Hotel's Farmer Street building


Metropolitan Building/Element Hotel


Wurlitzer Building/The Siren Hotel seems to be wrapping up


Miscellaneous updates from October 2017:

Orleans Landing is open




The Vinton Building has opened



1508 Woodward


Wellington Place, Seward Street near Woodward


The Regina at 253 Erskine Street. Google Maps shows it was abandoned until recently


Patterson Terrace


312 Watson Street


7526 & 7534 Oakland


Woodward Grand


Baltimore Station. Drove by here last night and the left building's facade has been removed.


Third & Grand. As of last night they are now on the second floor.


Wayne County Building


Townhouses on Ferry Street and Chrysler Drive


11745 Woodward in Highland Park. This building's Woodward facade had collapsed years ago. While its not the best looking renovation, at least its something. I've been noticing some other smaller projects occurring in Highland Park as well.


Ferndale Haus Lofts, Nine Mile and Planavon Street in downtown Ferndale

[subterranean]

Oh FFS, that update makes me want to cry for joy Detroitsky.

[LMich]

I feel like we've probably mentioned this one, but I don't remember what it is. It's very nice whatever it is.

Thanks for the photo update. The population growth figures at the end of the decade for downtown and Midtown are going to stun some folks.

[The North One]

Amazing update, much appreciated.

Orleans landing looks so good at street level, maybe one day the inner parking lot portion can be filled in with dense development.

I was going to ask about the Seward Hotel, that's a huge project that seems to be going under the radar.

[mousquet]

Splendid glass, guys.

Originally Posted by LMich

Annalise Frank

I think I can see already. That is some sexy sleek glass.
It will fit the surrounding facades.

[subterranean]

Detroit's MLS bid takes hit with Nashville likely getting franchise
Dec 18, 2017 at 4:00 PM by George Sipple

The MLS expansion is discussed with reporters George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press, Joey Garrison of the Tennessean and Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee. George Sipple, Detroit Free Press Detroit's hopes for an expansion MLS franchise might be on hold now that Nashville is expected to receive one of two bids for 2020.

Source: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2...oit/960875001/