Downtown Detroit43

AvalonDowntown Detroit

A First Look Inside Detroit's New Avalon Cafe (And It Looks Great)

Avalon is one of those names that has become synonymous with Detroit’s current revitalization efforts. Opening in 1997 in the Cass Corridor, Avalon’s founders Ann Perrault and Jackie Victor invested in Detroit when, as the story they tell goes, even when their landlord on Willis Street said “this neighborhood isn’t ready for windows.” But put in windows they did. And so it began. Now, with multiple locations already under their belt, they’re opening a downtown cafe. But Perrault and Vic...

architectureDan GilbertDowntown Detroit

Gilbert Wants To Build The Tallest Skyscraper In Detroit (And Public Financing To Do It)

Step aside, Renaissance Center. Dan Gilbert wants to take your crown as the tallest building in Detroit. The plans revealed during a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting this afternoon and posted on a microsite devoted to the project. The 52 story, 734-foot tall building would be constructed on the old Hudson’s site in downtown Detroit. It would include 250 residential units and 700 parking spaces. There would be 1.2 million square feet in the development, approximately the same as t...

Bad Luck BarDowntown DetroitDrinking

Devon’s Detroit: Bad Luck Bar And The Case For The $5 Milkshake

In one of many memorable scenes from Pulp Fiction, a favorite movie from my adolescence, Vincent Vega (John Travolta) scoffs at the idea of his date ordering a $5 milkshake at Jack Rabbit Slims, the garish 50’s sock hop restaurant straight out of Quentin Tarantino’s dreams. Incredulously, he wonders how a drink with milk and ice cream could cost $5. “You don’t put bourbon in it or anything?” he asks. Once the shake arrives his curiosity dictates that he has to try the aforementioned concocti...

Downtown DetroitMicrosoftMoving

Microsoft Announces Move To Downtown Detroit

Microsoft moving their Michigan office from the suburb of Southfield to Detroit is a real thing. Joining a wave of companies moving their suburban presences to the city and national companies opening stores downtown, tech giant Microsoft announced today that the company will move its Michigan Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) to downtown Detroit early next year. This had been rumored for awhile now. They will occupy more than 40,000 square feet in Bedrock’s One Campus Martius building, origi...

Downtown DetroitHigh riseMonroe Blocks

Gilbert unveils $100M+ "Monroe Blocks" project that includes two high-rises

To say the folks over in Gilbertland are busy as of late is an understatement. Greater Downtown’s development is starting to move at breakneck pace, and they’re driving a large part of it. The latest project from Bedrock that was revealed to be in the planning stages is called “Monroe Blocks,” consisting of a pair of high-rise buildings and other developments on two mostly vacant parcels of land near Monroe street and bordering Campus Martius. During a press event for a development in Brush...

Brand HouseDetroitDowntown Detroit

Under Armour To Open Two Story Store Across From Old Hudson's Site In Detroit

In spring of 2017, it looks like the doors will swing open on yet another national retailer in downtown Detroit. Baltimore-based Under Armour is opening a 17,000 square foot store, confirmed by Bedrock officials, on Woodward Avenue. The spot at 1201 Woodward is across the street from the old Hudson’s building and also a soon to be open Avalon Bakery. It’ll be what they characterize as a “Brand House” location. The announcement was made by Kevin Plank, CEO and chairman of Under Armour, at...

Downtown DetroitFail JailWayne County

Downtown Detroit's New Wayne County Jail To Restart Construction In 2017

“Fail Jail.” That’s the common term that’s been given to a partially constructed Wayne County Jail on Gratiot Avenue, visible every day if you come into downtown from I-75. There has been a lot of debate online on whether putting a jail on what many consider to be prime downtown Detroit real estate is a good idea. Billionaires Tom Gores (who owns the Pistons) and Dan Gilbert (Quicken Loans) put together a proposal for a soccer stadium on the site, but it’s looking more and more like their shot...

DetroitDowntown Detroitgratiot

Difficult Intersection In Downtown Detroit To Become More Walkable, Get 13,000 Foot Plaza

New plans and an animation were released today, focusing on simplifying one of downtown Detroit’s most difficult intersections for pedestrians and confusing for cars. And the time we’re going to have to wait to see the changes is extremely short … as in as early as next week. The intersection is at Gratiot and Randolph, which are state roads, along with city streets Broadway and Macomb. The plan is to not only move northbound Randolph traffic so both direction are in what’s currently the sou...

600 Ventures Development GroupAshton DetroitCondos

More Luxury Living, This Time In The Form Of Condos, Coming To Downtown

The first standalone condominium project in 20 years in Downtown Detroit is laying plans for construction. The $35 million, 11-story residence will be built next year on the parking lot next to the studios of WDIV-TV Channel 4. The Ashton Detroit, as the new building will be called, will have the latest in luxury living with high-end finishes, a pool, a fitness center, retail space, and enclosed parking. The existing building at 600 W. Lafayette will be upgraded to Class A office space. “We...

Downtown DetroitDTE EnergyDTe Energy park

Downtown Detroit Is Getting A New 1.5 Acre Park Inspired By Boston

On Tuesday DTE Energy broke ground on a 1.5 acre public park on the western edge of downtown Detroit. The park will act as a family-friendly green space and help anchor the emerging neighborhood along Grand River Avenue, across from the Grand Army of the Republic building.. Residents, visitors, and downtown workers will be able to play, eat, and enjoy downtown Detroit. “We see this as an opportunity to create connectivity in an area of the city that has ‘lived on an island’ for decades. Our...

DetroitDowntown DetroitGreektown

Downtown Detroit's Wahlburgers To Open In 4 Weeks Says Mark Wahlberg (With Video)

The coming of a Wahlburgers to downtown Detroit (as one of six metro Detroit locations) is causing a lot of buzz in the city. Over the weekend, Actor Mark Wahlberg, who is also part of the Wahlburgers chain and appears on the “Wahlburgers” television show, did a press appearance at their new Greektown location on Monroe that’s under construction. [Previous coverage: Wahlburgers coming to Detroit] He said that it’ll be four weeks until the Wahlburgers is ready to open, and he encouraged peo...

DetroitDetroit From SpaceDetroit Lions

LOOK: Astronaut Tweets Picture Of Detroit From Space

Space. The final frontier – and apparently home to a serious fan of the NFL. Scott Kelly, who is currently spending a year aboard the International Space Station, spent last Sunday tweeting pictures of various NFL stadiums and cities from high above our lovely planet. Our own Detroit Lions even got a little love as the space station sailed over our neck of the woods. Check out the pic below, and follow Scott Kelly on Twitter to see more of his stellar photos. #SundayNFLStadiumPicFromSpa...

Capitol ParkDog ParkDowntown Detroit

Capitol Bark: See The New Dog Park In Capitol Park

With the rise of occupancy in the heart of downtown Detroit it’s no surprise there is also an influx of new pet owners in the area. It seems like every month or so there is a new building popping up or restaurant filling up old abandoned space, and it’s great to see new parks being developed for both pet owners and local residents to enjoy. Now, it’s time for some development for our four-legged residents as there’s a new dog park in Capitol Park. Responsible for the new dog across the stree...

David Whitney BuildingDetroitDowntown Detroit

Historic David Whitney Building Receives Award For Historic Preservation

Back in the 1990s I watched aerial silk acrobats fly through the air in the dank lobby of the David Whitney Building. One of the automakers secured the empty building for a press event during the North American International Auto Show. The acrobats where part of the entertainment. It was fun, but even with heaters it was cold and even with decorations hanging everywhere you could see the building was in dire shape. What a difference today. After a $92 million renovation, the 19-story David Whi...

BedrockBedrock Real EstateBon Bon Bon

Bon Bon Bon Opens First Chocolate Showroom in Chrysler House Downtown

Wildly popular Hamtramack-based chocolate company Bon Bon Bon sells out of bon bons so quickly they have opened their first showroom on the iconic Chrysler House first floor, all before their first year anniversary as a new small business. Their Detroit retail space is open everyday except Sunday and their Hamtramack center still opens every Saturday. Owner and chocolatier of Bon Bon Bon Alexandra Clark started with a desire for 200 sq. ft. of downtown retail space. Her team has transformed it...

Ally FinancialDan GilbertDetroit

A Story Behind The Scenes Of Buying A Skyscraper And Keeping A Company In Downtown Detroit

One of the things we thought most interesting during the press event was the anecdote Mayor Mike Duggan shared about the behind-the-scenes story on keeping Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) in the city, consolidating their 1,500 person workforce and moving along a deal to purchase a skyscraper with nearly a million square feet in it. We transcribed it and edited very lightly to let the story speak for itself. It’s an illuminating little look that isn’t going to get printed most places, not to men...

Ally Detroit CenterAlly FinancialBedrock Real Estate

Ally Financial Switches Plans, Decides To Consolidate Downtown; Gilbert Buys One Detroit Center

Real estate magnate and Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert expanded his portfolio to some 70 properties today with the purchase of 43 story, 957,000 square foot One Detroit Center. The purchase price was more than $100 million for Detroit’s third largest office building and the adjoining garage, however, an exact number wasn’t shared. But that wasn’t all. It had been talked about in the media that Ally Financial, formerly the credit arm of General Motors, was going to move to Southfield, but...

DetroitDomino'sDowntown Detroit

SPOTTED: Domino's To Open In Downtown Detroit

Downtown Detroit is about to get a Domino’s. The Ann Arbor-based chain has a franchisee opening in the historic Buhl Building, on Griswold Street in the Financial District (across from the Guardian Building). It’s expected to open in the next couple of weeks. Previously, this spot had a Quiznos then a short-lived independent sandwich spot. We reached out and got more details. “By investing in the heart of Detroit, we have created a welcoming, friendly and professional atmosphere which supp...