DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[DetroitSky]

Here's a few more from November 14th:


Remodeling of the Pierce Building's storefronts have resumed


A sign has been put up outside 632 Prentis, which will be converted to condos


Slow progress on the Henry Glover House. Note all the new bricks in the front yard


Patterson Terrace. This has been a really slow project. There has actually been some visual improvements lately, though.

[jonwylie]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

Patterson Terrace. This has been a really slow project. There has actually been some visual improvements lately, though.

It's unfortunate that the same person doesn't own this whole thing. It looks at though only half of it is getting renovated. Can't image it will be an easy sell to someone when half of it is still gutted

[seabee1526]

Originally Posted by jonwylie

It's unfortunate that the same person doesn't own this whole thing. It looks at though only half of it is getting renovated. Can't image it will be an easy sell to someone when half of it is still gutted

Unless they want the real Detroit experience and feel.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

Patterson Terrace. This has been a really slow project. There has actually been some visual improvements lately, though.

This project is pissing me off because A) It's taking ten years to finish and B) they're clearly not doing anything with the last three rowhomes which is complete bullshit, I think their plan is to demolish that part of the building which is beyond stupid and wrong and makes no economic sense since they would no doubt sell for very high prices. Has anybody bothered protesting this or contacting them?

[The North One]

Originally Posted by jonwylie

It's unfortunate that the same person doesn't own this whole thing. It looks at though only half of it is getting renovated. Can't image it will be an easy sell to someone when half of it is still gutted

They don't own the other part? Are you sure? I thought I remember seeing plans where they replace it with a pool and some parking. (again beyond stupid)

Edit: I think you're right, it says here that it's owned by Elana McKinney

https://detroit.curbed.com/2014/5/7/10105488/patterson

This actually makes me feel a bit better since it probably won't be demolished. No doubt the person is sitting on it and speculating which sucks.

[DetroitSky]

New York-style pizzeria and bar to open in downtown Detroit

An authentic New York-style pizzeria is being brought to downtown Detroit by business partners who have invested $2 million and promise to serve the best pie in town.

Mootz Pizzeria and Bar is scheduled to open sometime in mid-January at 1230 Library St., with a soft opening likely in the beginning of the month, said Tony Sacco, longtime local restaurateur who owns the new eatery with Dean Walters.

New York-based pizza chef Bruno DiFabio is leading the kitchen with plans to serve up big, floppy pizzas from a recipe he claims will be completely different than other pizza shops in the market.

"It's not New York-style pizza — it's authentic New York pizza," he said.

Fillmore Detroit's new marquee goes up with big 'F' logo

Detroit — Historic downtown theater Fillmore Detroit started work on its new marquee this week that has some people wondering "what the F?"

Detroit photographer ACRONYM posted a shot of the new marquee in mid-setup to Facebook on Monday, showing the Live Nation-managed venue's "F" logo with a colorful spiral. The middle of the "F" has an icon of an apple, which is a nod to the tradition of giving out apples to concert-goers at the original Fillmore in San Francisco

[LMich]

One Campus Martius expasion - December 3


https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showth...922#post560922

Metropolitan Building conversion - December 3


https://www.detroityes.com/mb/showth...925#post560925

Shinola Hotel - December 3


https://twitter.com/ShinolaHotel/sta...98056319328258

DetroitYes is saying the hotel is shooting for an opening for mid-January. The picture for Shinola was captioned "Soon." They've been talking about a "late 2018" opening since at least October, so it seems they are very close.

[DetroitSky]

Ford begins first phase of construction at Michigan Central Station

Detroit — Ford Motor Co. has begun the first of three phases of renovation work on the Michigan Central Station as part of its $740 million Corktown campus.

The automaker opened the doors to the historic building on Tuesday to provide an update to work underway. A crew was already on site, part of 50 workers who will winterize the building during the next six to eight months.

"Today is a pretty big day for us as we start our construction process for the building," said Rich Bardelli of the automaker's real estate arm, Ford Land Co. "Today, we start getting the building enclosed, getting us going."

Ferndale chocolate and cheese shop opens second location in Midtown

Now is the season for comforting snacks and desserts. Which means it's the perfect time to open for Mongers' Provisions, a chocolate and cheese shop that will celebrate its grand opening on Cass Avenue in Midtown on Saturday, Dec. 8.

This will be the second location for Monger's Provisions, which already has a shop in Ferndale. The stores are owned by Zach Berg and William Werner, two Metro Detroiters with extensive backgrounds in the food industry.

[DetroitSky]

Lafayette West development starts with demo of Shapero Hall

A ceremonial groundbreaking/demo today kicked off construction of Lafayette West, a new development expected to bring 374 residential units to Lafayette Park.

The construction will start with the demo of Shapero Hall, which was recently sold from Dennis Kefallinos to Ginosko Development Co. for $16 million, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Developer Amin Irving of Ginosko Development says that some environmental work still needs to be done before demolition can commence, but we can start to see it come down possibly starting in February 2019.

Armageddon Beachparty finds a home in Woodbridge

The physical space for Armageddon Beachparty opened four months ago, although Aubrey and Elena quit their day jobs years ago, became self-employed to create art, and haven’t looked back since. “Shortly after becoming self-employed, we talked about our shared dream of opening a brick-and-mortar to serve as our creative headquarters. In addition to being a gallery and retail space, Armageddon Beachparty is a space that represents the good we want to effect in Detroit.”

Fiat Chrysler to open new assembly plant to build SUVs in Detroit

FCA plans to revamp its Mack Avenue Engine II plant to produce a new three-row Grand Cherokee and retool the nearby Jefferson North Assembly plant for future production. Mack II has been offline since 2012.

Fort Street Galley food hall to open Friday in downtown Detroit

The much-anticipated Fort Street Galley, a food hall concept with a bar and four dining options — including barbecue and sushi — will open to the public on Friday.

A project of Pittsburgh-based Galley Group, Fort Street Galley is in the ground floor of the old Federal Reserve Building at 160 W. Fort St., at the corner of Shelby in downtown Detroit.

German developer buys historic New Center apartment complex for $2.6 million

Optima Seward LLC, a subsidiary of Munich-based Optima Aegidius Group, made the deal late last month for the historic 34-unit complex at 127 Seward St., said James Tumey, vice president at Farmington Hills-based Friedman Real Estate, which brokered the deal.

The seller was Doug Hixson, who owns several other residential properties in the city, according to Midtown Detroit Inc.'s website, which lists the buildings' rental information.

Tumey said the new owner plans to make extensive improvements to the four-story building's façade, as well as its lobby and each of its units. Built in 1922, the 26,600-square-foot property features a marble lobby, Pewabic-tiled fountain and "ice closets" on every floor, harkening back to the days of old. It was designed by prominent architect Charles Agree, who also did the Belcrest Apartments in Detroit, Oakland Mall and several other buildings in metro Detroit.

Rush Bowls aims to open first store in downtown Detroit next year

Rush Bowls, a fast-casual concept that builds healthy meals in a bowl, plans to open its first store in downtown Detroit next year as part of a broader plan to launch five locations in Michigan.

Under the franchise development agreement between Seattle native Elizabeth Lehman and the Boulder, Colo.-based restaurant chain, Lehman is targeting spaces near college campuses and areas with high-foot traffic within a "professional building landscape," according to a news release.

Lehman does not yet have any leases finalized, but she aims to open the downtown Detroit location toward the end of the first quarter in 2019, or the start of the second quarter. Other areas under close consideration include Ann Arbor and East Lansing.

Drought to open juice store at Shinola Hotel on Friday

Berkley-based juice maker Drought will open a fifth metro Detroit location Friday at the $25 million Shinola Hotel in downtown Detroit, the company announced Tuesday.

Its newest location at 1435 Farmer St. in the alley between John R and Grand River Avenue, joins stores in Royal Oak, Plymouth and Bloomfield Hills and Berkley. Drought also operates a stand at Eastern Market on Saturdays.

The 340-square-foot store will employ six people, co-founder and CEO Caitlin James wrote in an email to Crain's. She declined to disclose build-out costs.

In October, Drought said it would close its first-floor space in the Chrysler House high-rise at 719 Griswold St. once its space in the hotel is ready. It officially closed its doors Monday, James confirmed.

MrChrome on DetroitYes is reporting that the parking lot on Cadillac Square and Monroe is closed and it appears a stage is being built for the Monroe Blocks groundbreaking ceremony.

[LMich]

That is some major news about Jeep. Also, given the relatively small size for the existing Mack Engine II plant - small for an assembly plant - I imagine it's going to have to be expanded unless they have some innovative way of using the existing space. There is not a whole lot of room, but they could expand northward for sure.

Actually, the update Free Press article on this does mention they'll be expanding the Mack Engine II, so look for some new construction.

[DetroitSky]

Cadillac Tower downtown sells to new ownership; future plans not yet finalized

The 40-story building on Cadillac Square, just a stone's throw from Campus Martius Park, is the latest deal for the Birmingham-based investor who has been making inroads in Detroit's downtown commercial real estate and restaurant scene.

While specific plans for the 425,000-square-foot building have not yet been determined, Elia said it is "ideally suited for a mixed-used development consisting of a hotel and apartments." He declined to reveal the purchase price.

Elia said he has had studies done on a potential hotel/apartment component and it could accommodate up to 305 hotel rooms, a restaurant, lounge, banquet space and 160-180 apartments if it is redeveloped with those uses.

Cork & Gabel to open Dec. 19 near train station in Corktown

Cork & Gabel, a new fusion restaurant in Corktown, is scheduled to open Dec. 19, Matt McGrail, executive chef and co-founder, told Crain's in an email. The business has been in the works since October 2017 and fell into a whirlwind of good fortune when Ford announced it would be renovating the dilapidated train station.

The restaurant is opening at 2415 Michigan Ave. in a 4,450-square-foot space next to Two James Spirits. The dining room, arranged in a communal style, will accommodate about 50 people, while the bar will seat 20 and the outdoor patio will have room for 50-60. The restaurant will employ 30-40 full- and part-time workers.

Seven Detroit neighborhoods to get $35M boost for development

Describing the effort as "historic commitments" to the neighborhoods, city officials announced Monday that the funding will be used to improve parks, streetscapes and commercial corridors as well as single-family and affordable housing over the next five years.

The effort addresses a key political concern that the billions of investment reshaping “greater downtown” into a glitzy center is creating a separate, unequal rebound of Detroit.

The neighborhoods marked for funding are: Campau/Banglatown, East Warren/Cadieux, Grand River Northwest, Gratiot/Seven Mile, Jefferson Chalmers, Russell Woods/Nardin Park and Warrendale/Cody-Rouge.

[seabee1526]

Crain’s Business writes of a Detroit Aerotropolis connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor. Including Metro and Willow Run airports and five rail lines.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...automotive-hub

[greatlakes]

Crain's Business Detroit states that the the Monroe Block groundbreaking ceremony is at 10 AM this Thursday.

[animatedmartian]

Pullman Parc development team to start site work for townhouses, apartments

Construction is expected to start soon on Pullman Parc, a new residential development just across from the Lafayette Park neighborhood. Broder & Sachse Real Estate, Hunter Pasteur Homes, and Woodborn Partners announced that site work is starting on the project, which includes demo of the Friends School.

Demolition is expected at the end of the month, with construction starting in early 2019.

The new development will bring 81 for-sale townhouses, carriage homes, and corner flats, plus 180 apartment units for lease over four acres. The site border East Lafayette and St. Aubin—across from the Dequindre Cut—in the Elmwood Park neighborhood.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/12/1...lafayette-park

[The North One]

^ That one surprised me, or maybe I just forgot about it. It looks like a great development, I especially love the courtyard.

This is a lot of development for west lafayette park.

[DetroitSky]

Madcap Coffee plans January opening at Shinola Hotel development

Grand Rapids-based Madcap Coffee Co. plans to open a new shop next month at the new $25 million Shinola Hotel development in downtown Detroit.

Build-out of the white-boxed Bedrock LLC space at 1413 Farmer St. began this week, said Cal Mills, customer experience coordinator for Madcap. The popular coffee shop company announced in October plans to open in the city but had not disclosed where.

Madcap will join Drought, which opened a juice store last week at 1435 Farmer St. in the alley between John R and Grand River Avenue.

The new location will be the company's first outside of Grand Rapids, where it operates three shops.

The Green Room restaurant to reopen in downtown Detroit

The Green Room, a downtown Detroit mainstay until its sudden eviction from the Ford Building in January, will reopen early next year in the historic Guardian Building.

The restaurant announced the move Wednesday afternoon in a post on its Facebook page:

"After many months of searching, we are excited to announce we have found the perfect new home. The Guardian building welcomes The Green Room to reopen its doors in early 2019. ...

Only kids can go to this Detroit gym built by Planet Fitness

The Lloyd H. Diehl Detroit club on Collingwood Avenue is to open Wednesday.

According to a news release, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan partnered with Planet Fitness to build a judgment-free zone and non-intimidating exercise environment.

"The brand new fitness facility was built by local Planet Fitness staff and will provide teens the ability to work out in a space that is free of judgment and filled with encouragement," the release said.

[jmcilreavy]

Anything new on why the delay at both the midtown@woodward development and the Ashton. Last report from Crains had the Midtown@woodward securing financing and breaking ground in October. A drive by yesterday confirms absolutely nothing is going on at this site. The Ashton is two years behind and the sign is still up. I'm going to assume that this project is cancelled.

[deja vu]

Preservation Detroit has extended its deadline to nominate any endangered historic site in the city. If you have any ideas, you can nominate them here.

[Tiorted9]

Originally Posted by greatlakes

Crain's Business Detroit states that the the Monroe Block groundbreaking ceremony is at 10 AM this Thursday.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2018/12/1...wntown-detroit

[uaarkson]

Not only is Detroit getting tons of development now, a lot of it looks like very solid urban design. That Pullman Parc development looks incredible.