Detroit Development News

[ManageMich]

word on the street is that this is not the last bit of good news we'll be hearing. The Farwell Bldg in Capitol Park has a deal signed although no details were provided....let's hope it happens.

[NorthAndre]

Originally Posted by apbest

"the Detroit life building is moving too slow", fyi

additionally that is a load of shit. Do you think that the Illitches intention or goal is to buy properties and let them rot? Lets not forget who restored the Fox to an amazing state when most of the current yuppie trendy loft dwellers where shitting themselves in diapers and that whole area was infested with crack whores and people who used their services and provided the services they whored themselves out for.

I by no means am some sort of big Illitch fan, and Im just as critical of some of the moves he makes. However, I am not stupid enough to typecast his operations into one specific image, thinking that that Olympia can do nothing but let buildings rot. There are two new stadiums and an emerging entertainment district largely due to Illitch. However, there are plenty of eye sores that I would whole-heartedly say "screw him" for. Olympia recieves a bidded contract to rennovate a building that is not a big project by their standards (with a time limit, mind you..there is a stipulation of reposession if rennovations dont take place). Considering this, there is no evidence that Illitch is going to tear it down as if it is some fucking macedonian conspiracy. Granted, I will watch his actions with a cautious eye, but seriously what possible motive could he have for tearing it down? not a new Joe Louis...the building is located at Grand River and Cass, an intersection def not going to be shut down if that is the location of a new arena. there is plently of illitch owned parking all around the GAR, that bldg is not big enough to warrant 220,00bux just for a little wedge parking lot.

They're going to move the entire development arm of their company to the building....think about it terds

Yes, good for him and the Fox. One of the few buildings he saved. Are you blind to what he has done? Have you ever been inside his rotting structures? Let see, he tore down 2 blocks of historical buildings (all of them salvageable) , so he could put parking out in front of Comerica park as a "gateway" in Foxtown. Another one of his so called gateways was a request to demolish the Historical Madison-Lenox which he had acquired and promised that he would renovate it. Instead he tore out the windows and let it fall into disrepair, and then claimed it was structurally unsafe, which allowed it to be illegally demolished by the city. He promised a well landscaped parking lot thereafter, but only threw down some cheap asphault. What he has done with the rest of his buildings is a far bigger crime

At one time, the United Artists theater was salvageable because the detailwork was in good shape. He allowed a massive hole to form on the roof which eventually allowed it to rain inside and totally destroy the theater portion of the building. There's no way it can be restored now because it's a brick shell, the rainwater is now deteriorating structural members. His lack of maintenance (and only a small amount is necessary) allowed boards to fall off windows 8 stories up and smash through the windshields of vehicles parked below.

If that's bad, the Fine Arts Building is even worse. For the profit made off two little Caesar's Pizzas, he could have bought a bucket of tar and sealed the 1 foot hole in the roof that has now virtually destroyed the building from water damage. The building's life is done. The first 3 floors collapsed, leaving walls dangling and columns above crooked and hanging. The top floors are sinking to the center of the building, and it won't be much longer until the building will fall in on itself. It endangers people walking near it, and possibly even the buildings around it.

I've witnessed it all with my eyes, rather than reading it on paper. There's much more to say, but I'll leave you with my experiences. The Ilitches do not have a goal to let their buildings rot. But they invest in them only when they feel the time is right, and it seems it is never right for them. The only places I see investment in is the land they sit on, which they will develop as a part of their foxtown community. My gripe has to do with their track record of maintenance, and what has become of their assets. What success the Fox Theatre represents in his portfolio of restored Detroit buildings is just a silver of the pie when it comes to what he has torn down or allow to become dilapidated.

Finally, don't correct me on my grammar. This is a public bulletin board for casual conversation. If a small word bothers you that much you need to get a life. I find it ironic that you mispell the last name of the person you are trying to defend. Grow up.

[NorthAndre]

Managemich.

The holdup on the Farwell Building has to do with the lightwell running through the center of the building. I'll provide more details when I get the chance.

[Lmichigan]

Dude, you have 5 post, so far. Chill out, and you don't need to tell anyone to grow up.

The GAR isn't going, anywhere, and you better believe that Ilitch has learned from the grief he got with the Madison Lenox. And, you are being overly pessimistic for no good reason. Olympia had the most solid plan for this building, or they wouldn't have been given development rights to it. All of the other proposals (save for one) didn't have any tenents lined up or anything. Olympia not only has the wherewithal, but the main tenant lined up for this one.

If you think Ilitch Holdings is the same company it was even a two years ago you're mistaken. Mike knows that he has a legacy to think about, now, and he realizes that Comerica Park and Fox are not enough to make up for all the bad he's done. Do you really think he's going to squander is opportunities on the GAR? Plus, he doesn't have unlimited time on this one like he does on the building's he actually owns. It has been said at DetroitYes.com that there is a stipulation that if he doesn't develop this one in a certain timeframe, the city has the right to take away Olympia's development rights on this one.

It's time to stop with these knee-jerk reactions when we see or hear "Ilitch" and start being more thoughtful.

[Zissou]

Well put Lmich. Yes Illitch has really screwed up in the past but you cant hold all the against him when the man actually does some good. Ive bashed the man a lot for what he has done with some of his properties but I cant on this because his plans are genuine.

[Lmichigan]

Well, you most definitely can hold his destructive past against him, but you also have to take these things one by one and judge them independently as every location in downtown Detroit isn't the same, every building he owns was not in the same state of repair when Olympia bought each, which means that no two projects are the same.

Comparing a GAR renovation and a United Artists renovation is apples to oranges. In fact, comparing a GAR renovation to a Madison Lenox renovation is completely pointless. It is not in the best interest of Ilitch to go after this one if he didn't plan to redevelop as:

1. It doesn't make sense to bring it down as the site is completely irregular for almost most modern usages, meaning it doesn't make since as a parking lot.

2. It wouldn't made any sense for him to keep it in a state of disrepair, as again, the site has no other use.

3. This guy does not want this one hanging over his head. He sees the complete hell he got for the Madison Lenox fiasco, and no developer wants another one of those headaches and especially a developer that has actually done some good. He's not your typical slumlord which doesn't give two schitts about his communit. This guy has an image and legacy to maintian and approve upon and he doesn't want another headache.

So, in this particular case, it would make no sense for Ilitch to want to aquire the development rights to this one if he didn't have solid plans for redeveloping the GAR. If he says that he wants to move Olympia Development there, I have no reason to doubt him. This is easily the most solid proposal I've seen for this building in years. A major tenant is lined up, and the company only has minimal remaining space to fill (i.e. top floor). This isn't some pie-in-the-sky proposal like the other ones based entirely on hope of a reviving downtown. This is a plan based on reality.

Hell, none of us have to like the Ilitch's, but please, let's give credit where credit is due when it is due and stop the needless knee-jerk reactions. Sometimes, I think Detroiter's can take any good news and twist it into something bad. I believe it has to be a coping mechanism set up to lessen the blow when these things fail, sometime, but it can also get in the way of a good thing. Again, this project has no comparison with the incredible efforts it will take to renovate the Fine Arts (which is probably beyond hope), or the United Artists Building (the size of this one is a significant problem). If there is any comparison it would be to the Detroit Life Building, which is solidly under renovation.

Pessimism for pessimism's sake only serves itself.

[NorthAndre]

Wow, so by responses with anger and name calling, now everyone thinks I'm a hater of Detroit development. I will tell you that I'm not that at all, in fact, I don't disrespect the Ilitches or his company. I think they have the potential to do great things, but they don't even take the little steps to prevent the worst from happening to their buildings. I guess, I can't get my point across how bad the conditions are inside of their buildings. hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage could have been stopped (probably millions with the UA) by some simple maintenance. The properties would have probably been easier to market or renovate had the damage not gone structural. It's called being responsible. You say the company has taken a new direction, and I do believe they intend to, but for the time being, his buildings are still a mess, and none of them downtown have been renovated yet. I know the GAR won't be demolished like the ML, Wolverine Hotel, and the YMCA because it's under contract. But because of his track record, I think the building should go to another developer and that Illitch should work on renovating his smaller properties, rather then taking on more.

So I'm sorry if anyone has felt I was bashing Ilitch. I thought I was being critical basing my observations on experience. I guess I'll shut up next time.

[MilwaukeeMark]

Geez guys, calm down and get back to civil discussion. It's annoying for an outsider (me) to come in here and read about your city's development news.

At any rate, the BC development sounds good. Anytime they sell air rights, it's a good sign.

[_ttam_]

Originally Posted by NorthAndre

Wow, so by responses with anger and name calling, now everyone thinks I'm a hater of Detroit development. I will tell you that I'm not that at all, in fact, I don't disrespect the Ilitches or his company. I think they have the potential to do great things, but they don't even take the little steps to prevent the worst from happening to their buildings.

So I'm sorry if anyone has felt I was bashing Ilitch. I thought I was being critical basing my observations on experience. I guess I'll shut up next time.

NorthAndre, you made some good points about steps Illitch could take. But I think developers in general get a very bad rap. People tend to blame them for not doing "something," "anything" fast enough. Or blame them for not spending "enough." (I'm still looking for those proverbial money trees.) I tend to think these people should shut the hell up until they start a business with billions of dollars of their own to invest. Illitch didn't start Detroit's problems. And he can't solve them. There are plenty of opporunities with properties Illitch doesn't own. In fact, before he bought his properties, anyone else could have bought them and restored them. Nobody did. If there's no market it doesn't matter. However, you've pointed out specifics. So I thank you. But generally people DON'T know how to run Illitch's business better Illitch himself. Trust me, they don't.

[ShqipeIvertet]

I dont know if anybody posted these projects before I didnt see them on this thread so im going to post them.


The Elliott Building
This new project will offer 15-18 luxury condominiums sized from 800-3,000+ sq. ft., including three duplex penthouses. The six story building, built by William Elliott for his emporium in 1894, will have retail at street level.

Developer: Woodward Grand Realty Company

Location: Downtown



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The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
The restoration of this historic 1924 hotel will offer 455 hotel rooms when it reopens as the Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel in 2-3 years. The project will also include 67 luxury condominiums on the upper floors.

Developer: Ferchill Group, Cleveland

Location: Downtown
Current

Rendering



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Lafer Building
Sixteen rental loft units will be available in the nine-story Lafer Building. Built in 1916, the building will have two rental units per floor.

Location: Downtown


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The Broderick Tower Lofts will offer 127 rental apartments on floors 5-34. The lower four floors will house retail, entertainment, office and commercial space.

Developer: Motown Construction, Inc.

Location: Downtown




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Eddystone Condominiums
One and two bedroom condominium units (60-70) sized from 860-1,500 sq. ft. in the historic Hotel Eddystone. The 13-story hotel, designed by Lewis Kamper, is one of three hotels Lewis Tuller built in the mid-1920s along Detroit’s Park Avenue just north of Grand Circus Park. The project includes first floor retail space.

Location: Lower Cass Corridor, one block west of Woodward

Current

Rendering

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Crystal Lofts at Central Brush Park
Thirteen loft condominium units/four penthouse units, private balconies, shared rooftop terrace, and secured parking. First floor retail and grocery market planned.

Developer: Belmar Development

Location: Brush Park


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Condos@75
The project incorporates three buildings which will be converted to condominiums in three phases. The first building (2467 Cass) will have 20 units offering 750-1,300 sq. ft.

Developer: Belmar Development Group

Location: Cass Corridor


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Roosevelt Place Lofts
The former 1920 Roosevelt Hotel in Corktown will have 32 one and two bedroom loft condominiums with exposed brick finishes and a return to the building’s historic character. The units, which will start at $123,000, will range from 900 to 1,300 sq. ft. A restaurant and bar is planned for the first floor.

Location: Corktown



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Chene West is a $40-million riverfront project which will include 108 condominiums and townhouses, a pool, a fitness center, parking and retail.

Developer: Spingarn Development, LLC, a partnership headed by Detroit industrialist Dave Bing. Project investors include Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Derrick Coleman.

Location: Riverfront East



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@water Lofts

The @water Lofts will offer 480 residential loft units in three phases. The project will have three mid-rise buildings with steel, glass, and brick construction. Retail, restaurant, and commercial space is also available.

Developer: Belmar Development 313.833.3600

Location: Riverfront East

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Chene East[/B]
Just east of Chene Park along the Detroit River

Chene East will offer 64 condominium units in a new 125,000 sq. ft. building on the Detroit River. The project will include space for restaurants and retail.

Developers: Jerome Bettis/J.C. Betters
313.833.3600

Location: Riverfront East


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River East
Franklin Street to the north, Rivard Street to the east, the Detroit River and RiverWalk to the south, and Beaubien Street to the west.

Mixed-use including residential

River East
On January 19, 2006, General Motors announced that it had reached a preliminary agreement with Detroit River East Partners, LLC (DREP) to develop the River East project.

The River East development consists of approximately 13 acres along the Detroit River, immediately east of the GM Renaissance Center. Plans for development include mixed-use commercial, residential, retail, office, entertainment and special use opportunities.

Location: Riverfront East


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Parkshore
New high rise condominium(s) on the Detroit River in this 35-acre gated community.

Location: Riverfront East

[Zissou]

Nice post. Some of these projects have changed or been put on the back burner but I just read today that Chene West has been approved and construction should start mid-2007.

[ShqipeIvertet]

All the projects I have posted are from the official Downtown Detroit / city of Detroit website so I dont think they are in the backburner yet. The Cadillac Building will look owesome once it is done. You know alot of business and people have been moving to downtown Detroit recently so it has been going in alot of development. The superbowl really opened peoples eyes of the downtown area who many had never been to downtown Detroit in their life time. So did the World Series and many many other events I cant waituntil the Auto Show its going to be great.

[Zissou]

Dont trust that website, I doubt they update it often. Parkshore is just a very very early concept and we havent heard a thing about it since they announced it. And those River East renderings are the very first ones that were released. It will likely look nothing like that and newer more extensive ones have been released since then.

[apbest]

btw, that elliot building rendering is old..they're now replacing the cornice and adding a half story

http://www.theelliottbuilding.com/index.htm

[the pope]

nothing says progress like 6 year old renderings!

[Michi]

December 15, 2006 (The last 2006 construction installment for me).

South Wing of the DIA Expansion


Lofts at New Amsterdam - now moving in


Security system good to go




Nice little pedestrian corridor between the two buildings


What's across the street you ask? Who want to make renovation bets?


The changing face of TechOne


The future of the auto industry - NextEnergy fuel cell laboratories


New Amsterdam/New Center Lofts




The windows look increadible. It's hard to believe the blight this building use to be.






Sorry, I got a little carried away:


It's the place to live if you like to watch trains go by (like me)! :P




The Argonaut Building...when, when, and when?


'Skuse me a second...


Ok.

Could the future of the NBC Building be near?




Research Lofts, North Trumbull Avenue.




Bonnie Bridge Townhouses, Woodbridge. Ok, I can work with that.


A fun rehab I haven't noticed until now (on Trumbull).


The Motor City Casino serves as the backdrop to Detroit's Miracle Mile.




Wondering who's bright idea was the 3-story wall. Seriously, what tragedy would windows do?


From the Lodge Fwy.


Mantra moved in to Cass & Peterboro from Hamtramck (I believe). Some of you may remember the old pet store that use to be here.


Willy's looking as sharp as ever! I LOVE this development.


...as I do 55 W. Canfield...installing the balconies.


Canfield frontage


Woodward side. Lights on at night!


MidMed, also on Canfield (E).


Got carried away again.


John R. and Canfield




More to come Saturday.

[illmatic774]

you are like some sort of Jesus.

1) Is it safe to say that New Center has officially taken flight?

2) Are those Bonnie Bridge Townhouses on Trumbull?

[Lmichigan]

Wow! There is more going on in Midtown every day. I really had no idea all of that was going on, and I know there is more as this was just in northern Midtown.

Illmatic, southern New Center (New Amsterdam) is taking off, but the north is still pretty quiet.

It really is a crime the city allowed MotorCity to go on the cheap at the base like that. It's just horrible.

[Michi]

Well, I DO wear sandals in the summer...

1) Sort of

2) Yes!

[illmatic774]

I guess if there was ever such a time to bring the whales back...