METRO DETROIT | Development & Projects

[lambe160]

Drove past some construction in Royal Oak to find this new apartment complex is being built right off 6th street in Royal Oak.

https://thehazeltonro.com/

[TimothyOfDetroit]

The Van Camp Building at the corner of N. Walnut and Macomb Place in Mount Clemens. He plans to redevelop the 1870-era structure into a series of retail space, lofts and a restaurant. https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/02/27/d...-building-in-downtown-mount-clemens/amp/

[TimothyOfDetroit]

Originally Posted by TimothyOfDetroit

The Van Camp Building at the corner of N. Walnut and Macomb Place in Mount Clemens. He plans to redevelop the 1870-era structure into a series of retail space, lofts and a restaurant. https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/02/27/d...-building-in-downtown-mount-clemens/amp/

https://www.wxyz.com/news/renaissance-in...ning-not-closing-amid-pandemic?_amp=true another link

[TimothyOfDetroit]

Rendering of Edison Crossing, the new construction of a 30-unit supportive housing apartment complex located in Mount Clemens, MI, is projected to be completed within 15 months. (Photo: Business Wire) “ NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--R4 Capital, a national affordable housing tax-credit syndicator, lender, and asset manager, arranged more than $8 million in gross tax credit equity financing to build a new 30-unit supportive housing apartment complex, Edison Crossing, situated within walking distance to downtown Mount Clemens, MI and 20 miles northeast of Detroit” https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/2...ble-Housing-in-Historic-Mount-Clemens-MI

[TimothyOfDetroit]

Mount Clemens The latest change is the three-story office building at 85 N. Main Street, south of Market Street. The three Story office building is sold, National Health Plans & Benefit Agency will fill the second and third floors themselves, and eyeing a brewpub to take the street level space. (MITCH HOTTS -- THE MACOMB DAILY)https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/05/15/t...g-in-downtown-mount-clemens-is-sold/amp/

[DetroitMan]

The Romulus Trade Center recently broke ground, the development will feature 2 million sf of industrial and retail space near Metro Airport. It will also feature the first Royal Farms convenience store in Michigan.
Romulus Trade Center breaks ground, promising new jobs, investment along Detroit-Ann Arbor corridor

McCraight, who was the city’s director of economic development and public services before becoming mayor in 2021, had – like many Romulus residents – been disappointed “year after year” by various proposals that hadn’t panned out.

Then he flipped the script, working alongside partners like the Detroit Regional Aerotropolis Development Corporation and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and hammered out a deal with NorthPoint.

The result, the Romulus Trade Center, is about to bring $130 million of investment, 750 to 1,000 construction jobs, 500 permanent full-time jobs, 2 million square feet of industrial and retail space to 171 acres of vacant land at Vining and Wick Roads, just across I-94 from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/sponsored-...mising-new-jobs-investment-along-detroit

[DetroitMan]

Huge win for SE Michigan!!
EV battery startup plans $1.6 billion gigafactory, 2,112 jobs in Wayne County

Fast scaling startup Our Next Energy Inc. is planning a $1.6 billion electric vehicle battery plant and 2,112 new jobs in Van Buren Township, with a $237 million jolt of state incentives.

The planned plant at 42060 Ecorse Road would have a capacity of 20 GWh, produce 200,000 units per year by 2027 and serve as a new model for a battery plant anchored by a localized supply chain, said ONE CEO Mujeeb Ijaz.

The plans for the factory, named ONE Circle, mark the most significant milestone to date for the Novi-based startup. Within the 659,589-square-foot plant, the company's unique battery chemistry, which boasts increased range at deceased costs, will be mass produced for the first time with the potential to shift the EV battery landscape.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufactur...ns-16-billion-factory-van-buren-township

[DetroitMan]

Gucci is opening their first men's store in the world at Somerset Collection...
Gucci’s first men’s store in the world opens Friday in metro Detroit

A Gucci Men's store is set to open Friday at the mall, on the south side of Big Beaver Road, according to a news release. That follows the Oct. 12 opening of French-founded, Italian luxury brand Moncler.

The Gucci Men's store is the first-ever for the brand, which is headquartered in Milan, Italy. Located in a 5,000-square-foot space, the store is debuting less than two months after the opening of a general downtown Detroit location. Moncler, a 70-year-old company headquartered in Milan, Italy, specializes in raincoats, windbreakers, knitwear, leather goods, footwear, fragrances and other accessories. The Troy store is the brand's 107th U.S. location and is located directly across from a women's Gucci store. The men's store offers clothing, shoes, luggage, small leather goods, belts, jewelry, watches and eyewear. The Gucci men's store moves into a space previously occupied by Tiffany, which moved to a space in the center of the mall.

The Moncler store, the company's 37th U.S. location, replaces a Brooks Brothers store. The two stores will soon be joined by Louboutin and Dior, set to open at an undisclosed date at Somerset Collection South, according to the release. Both stores will be the brands' first in Michigan.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail/guccis-first-mens-store-open-somerset

[DetroitMan]

A couple of big jobs announcements for Metro Detroit. Via Motor, an EV auto maker, is moving their HQ from Utah to Auburn Hills creating 300 jobs.
EV maker plans to move its headquarters to Michigan

The company is planning to open a 100,000-square-foot office and R&D tech center with the help of a $2.5 million performance-based grant from the state, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which approved the incentive Tuesday.

The move will help the electric commercial delivery vehicle maker plug into metro Detroit's mature automotive supply chain, according to the company.

"Our goal is to provide the best electric work trucks for fleets everywhere, and this facility is critical to achieving that goal," Bob Purcell, CEO of Via Motors, said in a news release. "We're excited and proud to partner with the city of Auburn Hills and the State of Michigan, tapping into the region's automotive expertise to help global fleets shift towards a zero emission, commercial electric vehicle (EV) future."

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/ev-maker-motors-plans-headquarters-move-michigan

Magna, an auto supplier, has announced $500 million in expansions that will create over 1,500 jobs in Highland Park, St. Clair and Shelby Twp.
Magna plans more than $500 million in Michigan expansions

Automotive supplier Magna International Inc. is planning to expand operations in Highland Park, Shelby Township and St. Clair while creating 1,569 jobs to support new business from automakers.

The Canadian company, whose U.S. base is in metro Detroit, plans to invest around $530 million into new and existing plants to build seat frames as well as EV battery frames, enclosures and components.

The projects are being backed by state and local incentives totaling around $50 million, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which approved the projects Tuesday.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/magna-expand-st-clair-shelby-township-highland-park

[DetroitMan]

The owners of the Lakeside Mall want to demolish the mall and turn it into a $1 billion mixed-use development. I personally like this and hope it happens.

Lakeside Mall owner wants to demolish it, build $1 billion mixed-use project

The project, currently dubbed Lakeside Town Center, would include about 2,800 multifamily housing units, with 750 of those for seniors; 150,000 new square feet of retail and dining space (in addition to the 400,000 square feet that would remain between the Macy's and JCPenney department stores); 60,000 square feet of office space, and a 120-room hotel with a parking deck. It would also involve donating about 30 acres of the site to be used for parks, streetscapes and infrastructure, and create new paths, a new street grid and other features.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/lakeside-mall-demolition-new-mixed-use-project-proposed

[DetroitMan]

While I normally wouldn't post an article about a new Costco, this one is different. It's part of the larger redevelopment of Northland Mall which is currently underway. This Costco will be the first Costco Business Center located in the state of Michigan. According to the article, the Costco will be located in the southwest corner of the redevelopment site and will be designed to look like the old Hudson's Department store. Also, of note is the fact that some of the structural steel for the residential portion of the redevelopment is also beginning to rise. Once complete, it will feature over 2,800 residential units along with retail and restaurant space.
New Costco business concept closer to opening at Northland site

Demolition on much of the property has begun and framework for new multifamily buildings has started to rise, Southfield Mayor Ken Siver said. The new Costco Business Center would have to fit with the aesthetics of the development.

"They have to conform with the design of our project," Siver said. "It's going to look like the old Hudson's building. It's going to look very similar to that."

The overall plan over several years is to bring more than 2,800 units of housing to the site, along with other uses.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail/new-costco-business-center-closer-opening-northland

[DetroitMan]

Tension grows over Oakland University's campus development plan

For years, OU has been on track to develop a chunk of land at the southwest corner of the intersection, engaging in studies and discussions on the matter and looking to other schools — the University of Notre Dame, the University of Connecticut, the University of Kansas, for example — for best practices.

A proposal could be submitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration in February, the Oakland Post, the student newspaper, reported.

There are three national and two local developers who have been weeded out through the request for qualifications process to submit a request for proposals near the end of this month, according to an OU website devoted to the plan. Finalists should be chosen next month.Those developers are: Charleston, S.C.-based Greystar Worldwide LLC; Camden, N.J.-based The Michaels Organization; Chicago-based McCaffery Interests Inc.; Auburn Hills-based Moceri Cos.; and Birmingham-based Robert B. Aikens & Associations LLC.

Ultimately, the more than 20 acres could end up as "upscale multifamily housing," plus retail and hotel space and a performing arts center, depending on how everything shakes out. A 2016 master plan says it could accommodate more than 600,000 square feet of new space.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estat...land-universitys-campus-development-plan

[DetroitMan]

I'm looking forward to seeing what the new owner has in store for this mixed-use development. Hopefully we will see some 10-15 story buildings in the mix.
Ford sells prominent Dearborn office building; buyer envisions large mixed-use development

Mike Shehadi paid an undisclosed amount for the Regent Court property, which has 660,000 square feet at 16800 Executive Plaza Dr., in a deal that closed Wednesday. The building opened in 1990 and is currently vacant.

Shehadi, who is the CEO of Farmington Hills-based PharmaScript of Michigan, said he paid less than $20 million for the building.

He also owns about 34 acres of land, also purchased from Ford, behind the building.Regent Court could ultimately become a mix of office and residential space, although the precise programming has not yet been determined.

The land at 17775 Executive Plaza Dr., purchased in early February, would become about 200,000 square feet of multifamily residential space. Whether the undetermined number of units would be for rent or for sale, or a combination of both, has also not yet been determined.

Shehadi said he is working with Neumann/Smith Architecture to develop a more concrete vision for the property. He said he also has met with Dearborn's mayor on his vision.

It "sits on the most prime location in the whole entire city of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and surrounding communities," Shehadi said.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/ford-sells-prominent-dearborn-office-building

[DetroitMan]

Northville council approves preliminary plan for Downs proposal

Council members unanimously advanced a preliminary planned unit development plan during a Nov. 21 meeting. The plan still has a long way to go, and council placed a host of conditions on its approving vote. The development will come back to city council at least one more time before developers can break ground.

Though city officials and vocal residents seem at odds about what should happen to the 48-acre property, most seem to want something to give the 80-year-old horseracing track a new purpose.

"For generations, we’ve talked about what’s going to happen down at the Downs," Mayor Brian Turnbull said.

Developer Hunter Pasteur is looking to put roughly 450 dwellings on the property, which would vary in density. Residents opposed to the project fear the homes and apartments would add too much traffic and expressed an exasperation with the city's perceived continual support of the project.

https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/...downs-proposal-to-next-step/69671627007/

[mattb81]

Wyandotte
District 142 is nearing completion and is opening in March 2023.

New Wyandotte entertainment venue hopes to attract big music acts, weddings
Chandra Fleming
Detroit Free Press
Published: 2:30 p.m. ET Dec. 13, 2022 | Updated: 6:47 a.m. ET Dec. 14, 2022

Two entrepreneurs are teaming up to put Downriver on the map with a new live music venue that they hope will find success like the Magic Bag in Ferndale or the Crofoot in Pontiac.

District 142, a 15,000-square-foot venue on Maple next to the Vault on First in the heart of downtown Wyandotte, aims to attract local and national acts plus host a space for themed events, private events and more, the promoters, 360 Event Production, announced in a news release.

[DetroitMan]

Asian-themed Project Sakura Novi Adding Korean Steakhouse, 117 Apartments

Sakura Novi, Michigan’s first Asian-themed, mixed-use real estate development, today announced a lease has been executed for The Dancing Pine Korean Steakhouse, while a joint venture agreement has been executed with Robertson Brothers Homes to build 117 townhouse apartments.

The development, located at Grand River Avenue and Town Center Drive in Novi, will include a collection of Asian-themed restaurants, high-end lifestyle retail shops and services, townhome apartments, office space, and, at the center, a Japanese-themed garden path, an existing pond, and a public plaza for community events.

Novi is located in Oakland County, the ninth-wealthiest county in the United States with a population of more than 1 million people. According to the development team, 290,000 Asians and Asian-Americans live within 50 miles of the project, while the average household income is $119,999 within a three-mile radius of the site.

The Dancing Pine will be a high-end steakhouse brought to market by Seven York Inc., owner of several restaurants in metro Detroit, including Kimchi Box, Dae Jang Keum, Tomo Sushi, The Seoul, Blue Fish Asian Cuisine, and Mama Satto.

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/asi...adding-korean-steakhouse-117-apartments/

[DetroitMan]

Auburn Hills-
Magna Seating plans $100 million plant, 500 jobs in Auburn Hills

Automotive supplier Magna Seating is planning a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and 500 new jobs in Auburn Hills near the Orion Assembly Plant of customer General Motors Co.

The $100 million just-in-time seating plant is expected to be built on 40 acres at 1700 Brown Road, according to an Auburn Hills Planning Commission document.

Magna confirmed the project investment and size as well as the number of jobs spurred by new business from GM. The jobs will be UAW-represented.

"We are working with the city of Auburn Hills and the State of Michigan on a potential new facility that would ultimately supply GM's Lake Orion Assembly Plant and Factory Zero," spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said in an email to Crain's.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/auto-suppl...lans-new-plant-and-500-jobs-auburn-hills

[DetroitMan]

Proposed Birmingham apartment tower would be one of city's tallest buildings

Ryan Cos. has submitted plans for the 1.55-acre site in the city's Triangle District with a vision of a multifamily development with heights ranging from a nine-story, 114-foot portion in the center of the project, with two eight-story portions fronting Woodward and a six-story, 78-foot portion toward farthest east. In all, the project would have 210 residential units, 12,000 square feet of retail and commercial space and a three-level parking deck with 341 spaces for residents, visitors and shoppers.

It would also be the largest apartment complex in Birmingham in terms of unit count. Currently, the largest is the garden-style Eton Square at 1997 Villa Road with 158 units.

The 555 Building downtown is 15 stories and Birmingham Place is 10 stories and 110 feet, according to CoStar Group Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based real estate information service. The 555 Building's height in feet is not known.

Under the proposal, there would be 24 studio apartments ranging from 500 to 800 square feet; 98 one-bedroom apartments between 600 and 1,000 square feet; 70 two-bedroom units with 900 to 1,200 square feet; and 18 three-bedroom units with 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, according to a site plan application.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/ryan-cos-proposes-residential-tower-downtown-birmingham

[DetroitMan]

General Motors plans $200M EV parts plant at Palace of Auburn Hills site

General Motors Co. plans a $200 million plant and 1,000 new jobs on the former Palace of Auburn Hills site.

The project, set to be 1.1 million square feet covering about 87.3 acres of the former home of the Detroit Pistons, is expected to appear before the Auburn Hills Planning Commission on Wednesday. It would consist of 1.05 million square feet electric vehicle parts assembly and distribution space, plus about 50,000 square feet of office space, according to city documents.

It would serve the GM Orion Assembly property in Orion Township at 4555 Giddings Rd. That plant consists of 4.3 million square feet on 433 acres, currently producing Chevy Bolt EV and EUV, and Cruise AV. The official plant website says it is "positioning itself to support GM's goal to bring 30 new EVs to market globally by 2025."

The new building would have about 350 workers per shift, according to the city documents.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/gm-plans-ev-parts-plant-palace-auburn-hills-site

[DetroitMan]

Oakland County plans downtown Pontiac campus, demolition of Phoenix Center

A plan for an Oakland County outpost would bring hundreds of employees to downtown Pontiac.

The county is attempting to buy the two-building Ottawa Towers to turn at least one of the properties into a central business district hub as part of a $19.2 million purchase agreement, County Executive David Coulter said.

In the end, the county would also buy the Phoenix Center parking garage and rooftop amphitheater from the city and tear it down as part of a satellite campus that would ultimately cost about $114 million, Coulter said. That includes an $85 million buy-in from the state or 74.6% of the cost.It's not known in what ways the state would participate in financing the project.

Bill Mullan, public information office for Oakland County, said the county is "talking to legislators and the Whitmer administration about how the state could support this effort as they work on the budget over the next several weeks."

Coulter said "without a commitment from our friends in Lansing," a financing gap would prevent the project from moving forward. He anticipates an answer on whether the state will contribute funding by early next month.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estat...ould-demolish-phoenix-center-add-offices