DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[The North One]

I sure hope they don't duplicate the stye, it's certainly not Detroit's most attractive building.

[ChiTownWonder]

That Brush Park proposal looks awesome, i especially love the renovation efforts.

[skyfan]

Dan Gilbert Gets $1 Million State Loan for Capitol Park Redevelopment

Quicken Loans and Bedrock Real Estate Services CEO Dan Gilbert received approval this week for a $1 million state loan to help with the development of a Bedrock-owned building into retail and residential space. The building, a Capitol Park structure, housed a variety of renters in loft-style units. After the building sold to Bedrock, the firm's strategy of converting the units to market-rate apartments led to residents receiving eviction notices in early 2014. The neighboring building's tenants, seniors, were also given the boot by another developer.

In exchange for the old tenants' displacement, Bedrock claims that the redevelopment project will create a whopping 16 jobs. Gilbert will cover most of the more-than $10 million cost of the project, but will net $1.65 million in tax credits from the federal government in part because he's "preserving" a historic building-and that's in addition to the $1 million loan. Gilbert bought the building in late 2013 for $325,000 from Dearborn developer Mousa Ahmad. Gilbert isn't the only one investing in this very hot part of midtown-developers just completed work on lofts in the old Detroit Savings Bank building, the city's oldest surviving highrise. Construction on Bedrock's Capitol Park building, located at 1215 Griswold, is expected to wrap up some time this fall.

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...evelopment.php

[skyfan]

1,100 Quicken workers, Rocket Fiber data center to occupy former News, Free Press building




The former Detroit Media Partnership building at 615 W. Lafayette Blvd. downtown is expected to become home to up to 1,100 new Quicken Loans Inc. employees when its build-out is complete.

According to a document detailing a request for city approval of a commercial rehabilitation district for the 404,000-square-foot building at the corner of West Lafayette and Third Street, the data center for Detroit-based Rocket Fiber LLC is also expected to be housed there.

On Thursday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Molina Healthcare of Michigan, which occupies 30,000 square feet on the fifth floor of the building and houses 125 employees there, with the ability to add more in the future.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...py-former-news

[DetroitSky]

Went downtown last week and took a lot of photos of developments:

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, a small company from suburban Rochester, is opening a location in The Albert


Detroit Bikes opened about three weeks ago in The Albert


interior of Detroit Bikes


these two buildings, mentioned a few posts above, are currently u/c


Capitol Park Building, set to be completed in the fall


soon to be the new GSTV Headquarters, moving downtown from Birmingham


the newest addition to The Lofts at Merchants Row


Pierson Building wrapping up exterior work. I believe its going to be office space.


Henry Ford Health is opening a Quick Care location on the first floor of the former Grinnell Bros Building. Not sure what this means for the upper floors.


M1 Rail construction at Campus Martius


cornice being added to the Metropole Building


next to the Vinton Building, a new bar has opened on the second floor here. I am not sure what the space is called


Renovations continue after a years long hiatus at the Vinton Building


Renovations at Millender/Renaissance City


new outdoor seating in Greektown


Renovations appear to have started at this building at Griswold and Lafayette, rebranded as The 751.

work continues at Town House restaurant at One Detroit Center. It appears to have opened while work is still wrapping up.

[Michi]

Thank you so, so much for doing this!! My heart is tied to Detroit and I don't get to go back often enough. I'd always hope someone here would do what you did, even just once a year. You just made my day! Hope to see more (from anyone) in the future!

[subterranean]

I echo what Michi said! I recently moved away for a job opportunity but already miss it so much. Thanks for taking the time to take some photos and update us.

[animatedmartian]

There's a lot of little stuff being added to everything. I like it. The details really make the city feel more vibrant.

[dc_denizen]

these detroit photos make me happy. downtown looks amazing, they are going to run out of beautiful, abandoned classics to renovate soon!

[pacifist112]

construction is moving fast on the orleans landing, and the scott or whatever its called now has started earth moving. that one came about quickly, good to see development starting to move quicker now. gilbert needs to get moving on the capital park midrise.

[skyfan]

Peter Cummings back, here to stay: 'All in on Detroit'

Whole Foods' investment in Midtown was a key moment for Detroit, but for developer Peter Cummings it was a profound calling back to Detroit, like a "religious experience."

Cummings — son-in-law of famed Detroit businessman Max Fisher — was active on the development scene for years. But after Fisher died in 2005, Cummings concentrated on his Florida-based development firm. He kept his hand in Detroit but nothing like the days when he and Fisher made big deals and built big things.

Since then, he has helped purchase the Fisher and Kahn buildings in a June online auction. The team, which includes HFZ Capital Group of New York, Southfield-based Redico, and John Rhea of RHEAL Capital Management, closed on the $12.2-million purchase in late July.

He has two other sites under agreement — one for a renovation of an older building and one a vacant site where he plans new construction. He won't give locations just yet, but they'll be residential projects. Those sites, plus new residential units in the Fisher and Kahn buildings could add 750 new units to the district.

http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...ment/30782623/

[mousquet]

I want to say something here, once and for all.



Watch them digging for our cities. Then assholes will blame on them for their union rights to vacations from time to time.
And then we're disgusted by this world, fucked up in our sorry lost minds.

I like Detroit like few others cause I watched her story, then it's been a sign to me. It's the only great city that lies on the northern border...

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by dc_denizen

these detroit photos make me happy. downtown looks amazing, they are going to run out of beautiful, abandoned classics to renovate soon!

the good news is that when that happens, Detroit will start getting new buildings.

[animatedmartian]

More foreign investment in Detroit with purchase of Van Dyke Manor apartments
By KIRK PINHO. August 11,2015. Crain's Detroit Business.



A wealthy German family is equity partner in an investment group that purchased a 38-unit apartment building near the east Detroit riverfront for $1.9 million.

The family, which wasn’t identified, is at least part owner of 1000 Van Dyke Investments LLC, which purchased Van Dyke Manor last week from Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Triton Investments Co.

Paul Zulewski, owner of Allen Park-based Source Realty LLC, is the local property manager, according to Cary Belovicz, managing partner of Commercial Property Advisors LLC, which represented 1000 Van Dyke Investments in the purchase.

“The building is in very good shape; however, we do plan to upgrade units as they become available to new tenants,” the new ownership group said in a statement Belovicz sent to Crain’s.

“We are also discussing specific upgrades to the apartments and roof, but are not willing to comment further until those plans are finalized.”

Belovicz said Van Dyke Manor was on the market for less than 30 days.

....

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...van-dyke-manor

The neighborhood is West Village, by the way.

[animatedmartian]

Downtown building, empty since ’70s, may reopen in ’18
Louis Aguilar, The Detroit News. August 12, 2015.

A downtown building that’s been empty for nearly 40 years is expected to get a $32 million makeover and reopen as an extended-stay hotel with ground-floor retail.

The Metropolitan, a tall, thin Gothic-like structure at 33 John R, has been graffiti-riddled and thoroughly vandalized for decades. The city has spent tens of thousands to board up its broken windows as well as set up scaffolding and netting to prevent pieces of the exterior from falling onto passersby. The historic building was at risk of being demolished two years ago.

Last year, a developer declared the 15-story structure could be revived as high-end rental apartments, joining the trend of transforming historic office buildings into residential. On Wednesday, that developer, Metropolitan Development Group, changed its plans, saying a better idea is transform the Metropolitan into an extended-stay hotel with lower-level retail, such as a restaurant.

“Overall, it’s a better fit for the great details of the building, and plus, a hotel and retail, like a restaurant, means we create jobs,” said Eric Means, managing partner in the Metropolitan Development Group.

On Wednesday afternoon, the board of the Downtown Development Authority approved the change of plans. The DDA is a unit of the quasi-public agency, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. The DDA has say in the plans because the Metropolitan remains city-owned until the development plan is carried out.

The name of the national hotel chain wasn’t released Wednesday because the deal couldn’t be finalized until the DDA signed off on the new plan, Means said. More than 100 hotel rooms are being considered for the building, Means said. Developers hope to find a restaurant for a space that once was home to an eatery decades ago, Means said.

...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...roit/31551043/

[animatedmartian]

Apartments, retail, offices planned in $14 million project on Woodward in New Center area
KIRK PINHO. Crain's Detroit Business. August 13, 2015.


...

Peter Allen, president of Ann Arbor-based mixed-use urban developer Peter Allen & Associates, and three investment partners have purchased a building, have another under contract and are trying to buy the remaining buildings on the block between Milwaukee and Baltimore avenues for a redevelopment project that would add new apartments, retail and office space to that area of New Center.

Allen — also an adjunct faculty member of the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning for more than three decades — said he and three former students have purchased the building at 6408 Woodward Ave. two months ago and have the corner building at 6402 Woodward Ave. under contract with the city with plans to close on the deal by early October.

The developers would add a third floor to the building at 6402 Woodward for a configuration with first-floor retail and 12 second- and third-floor apartments. At 6408 Woodward, the group would have first-floor retail, second-floor office space and three floors for 36-44 apartments. All told, the project would bring 48-56 new units to the market.

Construction is expected to begin on the $14 million project in the fall, with completion by the time the M-1 Rail project is completed in 2017, Allen said.

The project was originally conceived by three former students — Clarke Lewis, Dang Duong and Myles Hamby — during a real estate development course in the fall 2013 semester. Lewis received his master's degree in architecture; Duong an MBA and juris doctorate; and Hamby, a master's of urban planning.

As for the other buildings on the block — which include the Detroit Hardware Co. building and the Woodward Cocktail Lounge Inc. building — Allen said plans for those are in the works.

“We are looking at the entire block,” he said. “Nothing formal, but we are in discussions. We are interested in buying more property in that immediate area. We’ve opened a dialogue with all our neighbors, but there’s nothing in writing.”

Duong said there are "no concrete plans" for the remaining buildings, but the three former students, who are first-time developers, see great potential for the area.

In addition to the new construction, the group plans to "excite the sidewalk" with things like coffee shops, bars and cafes.

....

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...oodward-in-new

Other renderings from the developer's website.







6402 is currently gutted, though it seems like it's been like that for a while.








http://www.pivotres.com/projects.html

[animatedmartian]

Shipping container restaurant collective, beer garden hits Detroit in 2016
By Ian Thibodeau. MLive. August 11th, 2015.

With a new home comes a place to eat outside of it.

A group of childhood friends is currently working out the final details on a project that will erect a nearly 10,000-square-foot restaurant collective and beer garden somewhere in Detroit's midtown neighborhood.

The bones of the building: shipping containers.

Jonathon Hartzell, co-CEO of Detroit ShipYard, said that he and his business partners are a little behind schedule. Originally, the $1.2 million ShipYard was going to Corktown near Bucharest Grill on Michigan Avenue.

That deal fell through at the last minute.

Since then, Hartzell, 39, and his 38-year-old business partners James Therkalsen and Dominic Walbridge, have connected with some Motown movers and shakers, namely Susan Mosey, executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Hartzell said he expects to close on one of three spots in midtown within the next two weeks. After that, he and his team will need 60 days to redesign the space, and about six to eight months to build it.

When Detroit ShipYard is finished, the multi-use facility will host five micro restaurants -- equivalent to food trucks -- two bars, indoor and outdoor seating, art gallery space, retail space and a place for big events.

....

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroi...estaurant.html

These are renderings for the original Corktown plan, but it is expected the Midtown property will look pretty similar.















The same group is also responsible for the container homes being built in North Corktown. Currently, there is one model home open.





http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/in...ainer_mod.html

[bobjgumby]

I love the New Center project. Looks like M1 is already paying off.

[animatedmartian]

Detroit nonprofit to invest $10.2 million to redevelop New Center apartment building
By CHAD HALCOM. Crain's Detroit business. August 25th, 2015.



Faith-based economic development and employment training nonprofit Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corp. will invest $10.2 million to redevelop the donated Casamira Apartments building in Detroit.

The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday approved a $1 million performance-based grant under the Michigan Community Revitalization Program, plus about $820,000 in property tax capture funds, to go toward a redevelopment project at Casamira, a four-story, 42,200-square-foot building at 680 Delaware St. in the city's New Center area.

Central Detroit Christian received the property, which was built in 1925, as a donation and plans to lease 29 of its 44 apartments at market rates, with another 15 units as affordable housing, following redevelopment. Casamira Detroit LLC, a business entity managed by Central Detroit Christian co-founder and Executive Director Lisa Johanon, last year also acquired two properties a block east of the apartment building that will be converted into expanded parking.

The project is expected to create two new jobs: a full-time property manager and maintenance technician at the apartment building.

Central Detroit Christian will finance the remainder of its development cost through a mix of traditional lending, federal historic tax credits and $2.5 million in city funds to support affordable housing.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...lop-new-center

[animatedmartian]

Ilitches bet big on land near MotorCity Casino Hotel



The Ilitch organization is on another land-buying spree, this time in an area just beyond the 45 blocks of Detroit it already plans to develop into an entertainment, retail and residential district.

The focus is the desolate area around the MotorCity Casino Hotel on West Grand River, just a few blocks west of downtown. The Ilitches have spent more than $10 million in at least 15 different sales since 2011, according to Detroit News research. The total footprint of the properties rivals the 650,000-square-foot new home of the Detroit Red Wings, which is being built six blocks away from MotorCity.

MotorCity Casino Hotel is owned by Marian Ilitch. She and her husband Mike co-founded Little Caesars Pizza, the international franchise based downtown. Mike Ilitch owns the Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.

The Ilitches have never publicly disclosed the Grand River area purchases, nor their plans for the land. The organization’s real estate unit, Olympia Development of Michigan, had no comment when contacted.

“The Ilitches once again appear to be playing the long game with these investments. And land development is often about the long game,” said John Mogk, a Wayne State University law professor who closely follows urban planning issues.

Public records show the Ilitches paid handsome prices for empty warehouses, small businesses and vacant lots around MotorCity. The acquisitions are just past the area that’s being targeted for $200 million of development surrounding the new arena.

...

Information culled from public documents and private databases show many of the purchases happened after the 2013 announcement that the new Red Wings arena will be built six blocks east of MotorCity. That announcement increased real estate activity not only by the Ilitches, but also by other buyers.

An empty lot on West Grand River and Fifth, for example, is under contract to be sold after being purchased by a local investor about a year ago, said Gary Smith, a commercial real estate broker for Marcus & Millichap, who is involved in the sale. The 1/3- acre lot was listed for $650,000.

“The Ilitch activity certainly has sparked lots of interest,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of potential for retail, housing and they have already demolished one building they purchased,” he said.

It’s likely the Ilitches are waiting to see how the 45-block development surrounding the new arena plays out before details emerge about plans for the West Grand River property, according to several people who follow Detroit development. The overall plan for those 45 blocks is called District Detroit. The Grand River area purchases are in some cases a half block away from that targeted District Detroit, which is expected to attract hundreds of new residents as well as plenty of retailers and other businesses.

“Investors, developers, they buy land where there is not current demand, but speculate that in four, five, seven years, there will be much demand. You anticipate what may be the future use of the land,” Mogk said.

The number of sales and the total amount paid by the Ilitches is not clear because many properties in the West Grand River area have been bought through limited liability corporations. Various records show at least two of those entities are linked to Ilitch Holdings. But there are other purchases in the area that may be connected to the company that are not yet known publicly.

...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...land/32375355/