DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[Michi]

The Kronk Gym incident is NOT good news though. You all know what happened, right?

We can't have irreplacable downtown buildings and we can't have world famous boxing gyms.

The theft of pipes and a boiler from Kronk Gym may be
the final chapter of its storied role in U.S. boxing.

Detroit is the "Can't Have" city.

[DetroitSky]

I agree, its sad.

Heres somemore news...

StubHub, a ticket reseller, is going to open a permanent location in the Madison Building. They will lease 1,500 square feet on the third floor of the building.

[skyfan]

From the this weeks Model D, nice to see some development taking place in the neighborhoods

http://modeldmedia.com/developmentnews/default.aspx

Islandview Village to see 131 units of market-rate housing
Residential Detroit LLC is developing 131 units of market rate housing in Islandview Village, a neighborhood located just blocks west of West Village. Developer Vic Semelsberger describes the neighborhood as “truly a mixed income neighborhood;” Messiah Housing is building low-moderate income housing in the same area. Islandview is just blocks from Gabriel Richard Park, the terminus of the under-construction Riverwalk and the gateway to Belle Isle.
Residential Detroit has two distinct projects in the pipeline. The first, English Village Brownstones, is a 105-unit townhouse development that consists of 25 multi-unit buildings. 42 of the units have been completed, of which 35 have sold. An additional three units that have not yet been constructed have also been sold. The units range from $230-280,000 and come in 2, 3 and 4 bedroom models. Semelsberger anticipates the entire project to be completed in 3-4 years.


The second project, English Village Lofts, is the conversion of the former St. Charles School into 26 loft condos ranging in price from $150-290,000 and in size from 685-1,665 square feet. Construction will begin in the fourth quarter of this year and be completed by the end of 2008.


Semelsberger estimates his company’s total investment in the neighborhood at $25 million. Site plans and renderings are available at englishvillagedetroit.com.


Source: Vic Semelsberger, Residential Detroit LLC


50 new homes planned for Core City's new $8 million development
The area bounded by Grand River, Magnolia, Vermont and Rosa Parks Blvd. will see 50 new single family homes in the coming year. Core City Neighborhoods and Phoenix Communities will break ground on the project, named Carriage Town, on Thursday, September 21.


The affordable houses will be three- and four-bedrooms and will rent for $280-$680 per month depending on unit size and the tenant’s income. They will be very similar in appearance to the Core City Estates II, located just to the east of Carriage Town, including the 2-car rear-facing attached garages that are accessed via the alley.


The name Carriage Town was inspired by the area’s proximity to the Katharine Ferguson Academy and its farm. Core City Executive Director Willie Cambell envisions the farm's horses being exercised through the streets of Carriage Town. He estimates the construction cost of the project to be $8 million.


The ground-breaking will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. at the northwest corner of Rosa Parks and Grand River. For more information, call Core City at 313.894.8431.


Source: Willie Cambell, Core City Neighborhoods Non-Profit Corp.

69 new homes plus rehabs for Kercheval Estates
Granite Building Company is working to build up to 69 new single family homes in the area bounded by Kercheval, Charlevoix, Chalmers and Phillips. The project, called Kercheval Estates, also includes rehabilitating existing homes in the area in partnership with the non-profit Detroit Housing Group; nine have been completed.


Gwen Lewis, the owner of Granite Construction, explains that the homes are built after they are purchased. Each house can be customized to the purchaser’s needs; the homes start at $175,000 and 1,300 square feet.


Lewis notes Kercheval Estate’s proximity to Grosse Pointe, Mack-Alter Square, the revitalization of East Jefferson and other residential development like Marlborough Estates as some of the area’s amenities. She plans for 53 additional homes to be built for phase 2.


There are three models onsite that are open weekdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2-6 p.m.


Source: Gwen Lewis, Granite Building Co.

[Michi]

Hello?

[Michi]

Next page, please.

[Michi]

Ugh. Anyway, I kinda went a little overboard with this update.

These are all of Friday, September 29, 2006 I was on a picture-taking frenzy yesterday.

First stop, WINDSOR! - Casino Windsor hotel tower expansion.


The Portofino as seen from Detroit.


Rivard Plaza - Rivard and Atwater


...of course 1/2 the property is a parking lot (out of photo).


Some of my photos came out really BLURRY, so I appologize for the next few. I don't know what was wrong w/ my camera.
This is development on Larned Street. Not sure what it is though.


Relatively new Rock Downtown Financial Park on E. Larned Street.


The bohemith city within a city...I mean BCBC Parking Garage. Good grief, Charlie Brown.


Greektown infill - Monroe Street.


Sorry, I can never remember the name of this loft rehab on S. Broadway.





On to the CASINOS:

First up is Greektown Casino from Lafayette and the Chrysler Fwy.




MGM Grand Casino - 3rd Street & Michigan Avenue @ the Lodge Fwy.


Michigan Avenue, looking east.










I think this is the main enterance to the gamin space off of 3rd Street.




Remember the parking bohemith/city within a city posted above? Well, here's another.


The sky was awesome most of the afternoon.


Lots o' cranes still.


Downtown-bound Lodge Freeway


Motor City Casino as seen from Michigan Avenue over the Lodge Fwy.


Who knew dead logs could bring sexy back?


This thing was freaking loud...whatever it is...


Hotel as seen from the Lodge Fwy.


South facade






I'm really hoping this is as far as the side brickwork goes. It looks like cheap, suburban mall facade or something you'd find at a freeway rest stop building. eek.


Waiting patiently for the windows to be carved out along Grand River Avenue...any day now...


Clark Lofts - Grand River Avenue. Who knew? I didn't.


A never-ending loft conversion: Grand River/Griswold, Capitol Park.


What's this doing in a development thread?


Yes, the Westin Book Cadillac, Detroit!






Imagine it polished in just a few years! It'll be an instant asset.


The recently-completed, yet 100% vacant Kennedy Square Building. Way to be, Redico.


Lafayette Building still on the rumor mill.








Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Building. Recently announced for renovation/preservation.


Rosa Parks Transit Center. Looks like its serving the purpose it was intended for. (I'm kidding)...or am I? *sigh*


Hotel Pick-Fort Shelby restoration. This project will anchor the west side of downtown which hasn't near the amount of activity as the east side. Therefore, it should be a HUGE milestone for this area which has a lot of potential with other vacant buildings, ie: Free Press Building.


What's on Detroit's plate.


DEMOLITION makes its way into a development thread. The old State of Michigan complex will be demolished shortly for a new, flat campus-like, mall-parking lot setbacked, super-blocked piece of garbage for the FBI. A simple facade improvement would have sufficed.


Grinnell Place Lofts - Michigan and Brooklyn, Corktown.


And how about a little Brizz-ush Park for dat ass. Mmmkay.


The latest in the northward construction expansion along Woodward Avenue. Word of mouth all this time was hoping so much for something other than the townhouses on Woodward, but whatever.


Harbor Light Center on the left, and Hotel Eddystone on the right. Their renovations will begin once the Carrolton (see below) is finished and occupied.


But for now, the current tenants occupy this area.


Garden Lofts of Brush Park - Winder Street at the Fisher Service Drive.


I LOVE LOVE LOVE balconies!


The next development culprit - Winder Street:


...and another near Brush and Adelaide. I also believe Brush-Adelaide Park is going to see a lot of investment in it to make it a vibrant, urban park. Haven't heard much confirmation on that yet though.


The old French Mansions that were able to be saved are nothing short of amazing...especially if you saw what they looked like before. Look no further than Edmund Place on Edmund Street.

...simply amazing for Detroit.

More Edmund Street fixer-uppers. These are in great condition compared to most of the other structures that were saved.


This old home will soon be the site of the Brush Park Conservatory of Music and Fine Art - Edmund & John R. I'm telling you, a neighborhood in the making!


This is the Carrolton, as mentioned above. - John R. Street.


John R. is even seeing some historic commercial rehab! "Impossible" you say, in Detroit.


John R. reconstruction. The old surface was comprable to an up north two-track.


Moorey Manor (Erskine Street) was featured on HGTV's Restore America as a fantastic example of restoration and expansion into condominiums.


This caught me by surprise. It's next to Morrey Manor on the Woodward side.


"I wanna play!"


A soon-to-be-rehabber and the Carrolton in the background.


I think this is a private residence...in other words, unlike most of the other homes whose renovations were done by various development, housing, and construction companies.


And old cobblestone alley behind Woodward Avenue.


Delicious!


Sorry, I forgot the name of these renovations. This one in particular is going hella-fast!


That's the Bonstelle Theatre on the adjacent left.


Yes, the infamous Ellington is STILL being constructed on the interior. Hasn't it been like 15 years now?


Cass Corridor Area


Willy's Overland Lofts is another amazing renovation! - Willis Street near 3rd.


Nine on Third Townhouses - 3rd Street in Midtown.


Improvements were recently completed on the Detroit Historical Museum in the Cultural Center.


The new garage serving the new condos at Le Park Shelton - Ferry Street.

--ugly--

Mid-Med Lofts - Canfield Street. This is one of Detroit's only projects that demolished the entire thing except for the facade. An outstanding feat if you ask me in a city that blindly bulldozes itself over for sexy parking lots and glamerous, Waldorf Astoria-type parking garages.


Front facade.


Michigan Welcome Center and Supermercado, Mexicantown. This facility is situated adjacent to the customs plaza of the Ambassador Bridge. The plaza and freeway ramps are undergoing a huge reconstruction project right now that will tie it into these two buildings.

There will also be a "Calatrava-like" pedestrian bridge over the Fisher Freeway connecting Bagley Street


The Supermercado (Supermarket) portion. Bad picture...it looks nicer than this in person.


One of Brush Park's greatest assets is its proximity to Detroit's Central Business District and the Riverfront.


These are just a blip on the radar for what's in store for Detroit. Sure, there will still be a lot of great disappointments like the demise of the Commerce Building, but it really is exciting to be a part of a city in such a great transition!

[Michi]

...and just cuz the suburbs left out Detroit for the last 50 years doesn't mean I'll stoop.

The 5th Royal Oak - Washington Avenue. 18 story condo tower.


Looking south.


Looking west.


And of course Main North Lofts. Did I mention I loved balconies!


I think some units are already occupied...as is some of the ground floor retail such as Hollywood Video.



Until the next update!

[DetroitSky]

Sorry, I can never remember the name of this loft rehab on S. Broadway.

Thats the Valpey Building.

[LMich]

Nope, that's the Lafer Building on Broadway. The Valpey is on Lower Woodward.

Excellent update, though, as you know, this almost crashed my connection. You captured a lot of the smaller stuff people don't often here about.

BTW, MotorCity said quite some months ago when they started construction their hotel tower that they are going to reface the old casino, but it doesn't seem like they are messing with it. What's the deal?

BTW, I noticed you can see the old Jeffries Projects. But, what surprised me is that it looks like they were givena decorative roof. Is that an illusion? I've never paid attention to it before, I guess.

[CGII]

Fantastic, Michi! There's some great stuff going on in Detroit...man, how much a nice light rail system would do for that city...

It's nice to see this. It's too often we get bogged down in 'Detroit Ruins' photos. It's really great to see these fine developments popping up.

[detroit_alive]

Originally Posted by LMich

BTW, I noticed you can see the old Jeffries Projects. But, what surprised me is that it looks like they were givena decorative roof. Is that an illusion? I've never paid attention to it before, I guess.

Yep I noticed that while driving by tonight. Hmm, Lee Plaza looses its roof, Jeffries gains a Lee Plaza-esque roof.

[illmatic774]

Originally Posted by detroit_alive

Yep I noticed that while driving by tonight. Hmm, Lee Plaza looses its roof, Jeffries gains a Lee Plaza-esque roof.

So it was the Jeffries tenants that scrapped the Lee Plaza for its own roof...

Awesome update.

[DetroitSky]

LMich, I just realized that right before I clicked on the link for this page.

ya know, no ones posted anything about the Detroit Life Building renovation. It looks like its going to be offices again. http://www.detroitlifebuilding.com/

[Michi]

Originally Posted by LMich

Nope, that's the Lafer Building on Broadway. The Valpey is on Lower Woodward.

Yes, thanks. What's the Valpey? I've heard of the Vinton, but don't know anything about the Valpey on Lower Woodward.

[zuelas]

Thanks for all the pics Michi. I'm still wondering if that's the actual color of the glass on MGM. I much prefer this over gold but looking at your pic from the 3rd street entrance, it doesn't blend very well with the beige on the walls which makes me wonder if it'll turn out gold afterall. Maybe I'll sneak over there tonight and try to peel a layer off the facade- haha.

Those Main North lofts in RO look nice but the balconies facing each other on the corner are weird. I'm assuming they're from the same unit or it'd be real strange sitting out there looking right at your neighbor. I think a larger diagonal/triangular balcony would have looked much better aesthetically.

It's a damn shame that they're going to demo the State of Michigan Complex. It's not the most beautiful thing in the world but it seems like such a waste. Driving South on the Lodge tonight I noticed the black tower section and how prominent it is on the skyline. Detroit is incredible.....would Ruth Spencer do her 'Ruth to the rescue' on this one if I emailed?

[skyfan]

There are so many great projects happening in the city right now.

Looks like they started the foundation for Greektown have they released an official height yet?

[LMich]

No, and they probably won't ever release one publicly. But, I'll post it when I find out.

[Michi]

Originally Posted by zuelas

.....would Ruth Spencer do her 'Ruth to the rescue' on this one if I emailed?

Hey some of the strangest occurances have evolved due to crazy notions. I'd give it a shot and see what happens. I think I know, but maybe it will at least get them thinking about the diverse interests that people in the community have for Ruth to the Rescue topics.

[Michi]

Originally Posted by zuelas

.....would Ruth Spencer do her 'Ruth to the rescue' on this one if I emailed?

Hey some of the strangest occurances have evolved due to crazy notions. I'd give it a shot and see what happens. I think I know, but maybe it will at least get them thinking about the diverse interests that people in the community have for Ruth to the Rescue topics.

[The-New-Tony-Detroit]

Eric gets two oreos for his big development hoopla!

Nicely done sir and I cannot wait for the future announcements/developments that look to be coming over the next few months...