Photo courtesy of the Detroit News

Ground has been broken, the rumbles have been heard– Midtown Detroit, on the heels of an impressive 95% residential occupancy rate, is getting its largest mixed residential-retail development. Ever. Yep.

I think the project alone, isolated, is interesting, very worthwhile and answering the call for demand that exists in the area for not only just housing, but serves as a crucial piece in creating a more walkable neighborhood. Not only will their be 58 residential units in the new development, there will also be 11 retail spaces.

Think about it. Avalon set up shop almost 14 years ago and has served as an anchor in the neighborhood creating the kind of cultural destination that goes far beyond just grabbing a loaf of bread. And beyond creating cultural capital, it laid the groundwork for other businesses to follow. What started with a bakery has spawned an organic foodstore, clothing boutiques, book stores, galleries, a modern homegoods shop and more– constructing much of Midtown’s current identity.

With 11 more shops going in, or at least being available, it could really create an organic force that expands the anchor that Avalon began years ago. I am sure at this point it is unknown what sorts of shops will go in the development, but if carefully chosen, it could really expand the area with some homegrown, useful businesses– maybe the bagel brothers can go there, or perhaps the new Hatch Detroit-funded business (or if not the funded one, perhaps some of the runner-ups that didnt get the big startup check) can call this new development home.

With Detroit having isolated pockets of brilliance all over the city limits, this development gets me excited if only over the prospect that those pockets engaging a little more with one another to create a real vibrant part of town seems a likely possibility.

All kinds of chatter circulating around town about renovations/activations happening in the downtown area.

The Free Press reported this morning that Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans and Detroit Venture Partners fame has purchased the Dime Building (a beauty designed by Daniel Burnham). The Free Press has not reported too many details in terms of what Gilbert is planning to do with the Dime, but you can bet it probably has something to do with the work Detroit Venture Partners is doing– the venture capital firm that Gilbert, Josh Linkner and Brian Hermelin started last year. In speaking engagements throughout last year, both Gilbert and Linkner have said repeatedly that the plan is to create a Silicon Valley in Detroit by supporting the startup of early to mid-stage tech companies. In doing so, they invest in the companies, house them in the incubation space at the Madison Building (adjacent to the Broderick Tower) and then move the companies to larger space as they begin to grow. It seems reasonable that the space purchased in the Dime Building could support that movement. But, again, nothing has been confirmed. Just throwing out some thoughts here.

Separately, just up the street at the David Whitney Building, there were reports at the end of May that Roxbury Group, a local development firm, is working with another investment firm in Farmington Hills to get an $80m project off the ground that would have it renovated as a boutique hotel. Reports show that other similar hotels in Detroit like the Book-Cadillac and DoubleTree are doing well financially, which makes a strong case for the development of the David Whitney Building.

Investor confidence is up. Buildings are being rehabbed. Businesses are being cultivated. Bring it on, Detroit.