Dan Gilberts Retail Renaissance to include 70-90 retailers, including Target & Apple

**Dexlin** · December-12-12, 02:43 AM

No, you really don't love Detroit. Good riddance, BTW.

**313WX** · December-15-12, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dexlin

No, you really don't love Detroit.

So because one doesn't want to be a part of Bing, Gilbert and Snyder's social engineering project, it automatically makes them less of a Detroiter?

**Honky Tonk** · December-15-12, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

So because one doesn't want to be a part of Bing and Snyder's social engineering project, it automatically makes them less of a Detroiter?

He "abandoned" Detroit.

**313WX** · December-15-12, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

He "abandoned" Detroit.

It's better to say Detroit "abandoned" him.

**Honky Tonk** · December-15-12, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

It's better to say Detroit "abandoned" him.

I TOTALLY agree.

**Parkguy** · December-15-12, 04:02 PM

Planner3357: I don't blame City Council. They are politicians, and like politicians all over the world, they do things that will get them re-elected, logical or not. I blame the ladies I see on the Chicago or New York shuttle flights from Metro. They will spend hundreds of dollars to fly out for a day of shopping in an urban environment and call it exciting, but would never even think of demanding that kind of retail experience here at home. I blame federal and state policies that reward building in the hinterlands while actually penalizing rebuilding in the urban core. And I blame people who will jump in the car to drive 10 miles to go to a chain restaurant or a big box store and would never use a local business because it isn't a well-known chain. After two decades of this, we are at a place where you HAVE to drive to a "retail center" [[AKA major highway or freeway interchange) to find retail. And that affects not only the city-- there are plenty of neighborhoods in the suburbs where you have to drive five or six miles to get to a grocery store, especially in the outer McMansion 'burbs. But they don't call those neighborhoods "food deserts." That's just the way retail is done these days. That is starting to change. Chicago's business districts will get even better, since they are building on a strong base, and Detroit's will get better, too, but we are starting from a base that is in much worse shape. Our vital neighborhood retail was dismantled long ago.

**DetroitPlanner** · December-16-12, 10:14 PM

This thread is about retail, not an arguement that Philly sucks. You have falled for the spoiled grapes of someone who chose to plan for a city that is much easier to plan for. But Philly has department stores. Even a Kmart downtown on Market Street. Want to know where the K-mart is? It is across the street from the Macy's. Bringing up Philly's movie theatres that are no longer there will not bring retail to downtown Detroit.

**krapug1** · December-17-12, 11:42 AM

It's fine to draw comparisons with other cities when it comes to retail and genera offerings at that cities 'downtown" area, but I also agree that tearing apart another city it not the way to go.

Center City has had it's challenges, but it has maintained a retail core that includes Macy's on Market at 13th Street [[on 3 floors of the former John Wanamaker flagship), and a Big K-Mart on Market at 10th [[on 2 floors of the former Gimbel's flagship that was built in 1977 as part of the Gallery Mall).

Downtown Detroit does have a 1st run conventional movie theatre in the Ren Center, and this is something that Center City lacks. Center City does have several "art-house" movie houses [[operating under the Landmark/Ritz chain), in CC, but for general release movies you have to go to University City, South Philly, North Philly, or elsewhere. The last of Center City's first run movie theatres shut in part as a reaction to the Easter Sunday "mini-riot" of 1985, and the final one, the Sam-Eric closed in 2002.

Now it's back to the downtown retail discussion.

Ken

**bassab** · December-17-12, 01:51 PM

Now that Mr. Gilbert apparently has bought the Kresege Building, is the retail space [[3 levels as I recall) large enough for a City Target?

**krapug1** · December-17-12, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by bassab

Now that Mr. Gilbert apparently has bought the Kresege Building, is the retail space [[3 levels as I recall) large enough for a City Target?

It should be, as most of the City Targets open now are under 100,000. sq/f of selling space. The one in Chicago is larger, but that was considered an exception to a City Target size, not the rule.

I think the S.S. Kresge building would be a perfect fit.

Ken

**esp1986** · December-17-12, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by krapug1

It should be, as most of the City Targets open now are under 100,000. sq/f of selling space. The one in Chicago is larger, but that was considered an exception to a City Target size, not the rule.

I think the S.S. Kresge building would be a perfect fit.

Ken

Agreed. Location is great too.

**detroitbob** · December-18-12, 01:47 AM

Crain's is announcing the purchase of the Kresge buildings...unless something has happened in the last few years the top two floors of the 2nd [[north) portion of the Kresge Bldg--- the old S. L. Bird and Co. store, is for all pratical purposes intact -- decorative painting and designs all over 100 years old. Kresge simply used the area as s store room and did nothing else to the area after they absorbed the other building circa 1933.. Lets hope this area could be preserved as it is the only remaining original turn of the century retail space that is close to "original" in the downtown or most likely the city. At the least it should be documented by photo ir video.

**rjlj** · December-18-12, 11:42 AM

You should contact Bedrock once they close on the building if you want to document the original details. Their team seems pretty receptive to legitimate requests.

http://bedrockmgt.com/

Originally Posted by detroitbob

Crain's is announcing the purchase of the Kresge buildings...unless something has happened in the last few years the top two floors of the 2nd [[north) portion of the Kresge Bldg--- the old S. L. Bird and Co. store, is for all pratical purposes intact -- decorative painting and designs all over 100 years old. Kresge simply used the area as s store room and did nothing else to the area after they absorbed the other building circa 1933.. Lets hope this area could be preserved as it is the only remaining original turn of the century retail space that is close to "original" in the downtown or most likely the city. At the least it should be documented by photo ir video.

**gameguy56** · December-18-12, 09:43 AM

I wonder what he's going to do with the Kresge building? It's a bit outside his normal downtown footprint.

**rjlj** · December-18-12, 11:39 AM

I am not sure what you mean by your statement. This new purchase would be right in the middle of all his purchases.

http://bedrockmgt.com/properties/

Originally Posted by gameguy56

I wonder what he's going to do with the Kresge building? It's a bit outside his normal downtown footprint.

**DetroitPlanner** · December-18-12, 10:05 AM

I hear he wants to turn 1 Woodward into a Target.

**bailey** · December-18-12, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I hear he wants to turn 1 Woodward into a Target.

And a Cheesecake Factory is going in the old "Top of the Flame" space.

**DetroitPlanner** · December-18-12, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

And a Cheesecake Factory is going in the old "Top of the Flame" space.

I heard that was to be the House of Blues and that the Cheesecake factory was going to go in where Potbelly's is.

With this latest purchase he can basically run downtown as his privately owned REIT. This will allow him to lease to people with stipulations on hours, and provide things such as Security and Marketing.

I would not be surprised if he is doing the same thing in Cleveland, and will one day sell shares like Taubman did when he went public.

**cramerro** · December-18-12, 10:51 AM

Why not go full-circle on this mutha and put KMart in the Kresge building!!

**Detroitdave** · December-18-12, 03:11 PM

Are we talking about the building on Woodward and Graitot ?

**rjlj** · December-18-12, 03:42 PM

5 more

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/roc...ies-2012-12-18

**gameguy56** · December-18-12, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by rjlj

5 more

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/roc...ies-2012-12-18

What is this, a black friday sale?

**gameguy56** · December-18-12, 03:47 PM

I hope he has great plans for this. I mean, this is a make or break for the city of Detroit.

**Detroitdave** · December-18-12, 04:05 PM

This guy is AMAZING ! he is trying to single handedly rebuild Detroit !
God bless him ! his is single handedly doing what the city council hasn't done in 40 years !
Hey ,he has DEEP pockets !
I just hope his friends with deep pockets step up and do the same thing !
Dan to his deep pocket buddies :"come on in,the waters fine " !
:-)
Maroun :"no way ! I'm draining this puppy !"

On a side note reading this http://www.marketwatch.com/story/roc...ies-2012-12-18
made me light headed LOL .
This is simply AMAZING ! no matter how cynical you are ,money talks and Mr Gilbert has a lot and not shy about spending it !
He's not a dumb guy, and when he gets Metro-West Appraisal, the nation's largest independent residential real estate appraisal company, announces it will move its national headquarters to downtown Detroit's Chrysler House in March 2013. this is big news ! he's not making them move downtown they see something big about to happen .
They aren't moving downtown to do him a favor !
This simply hasn't been done in over 40 years !
No matter how much he's "writing" off some of these companies , he's not writing ALL these companies off .

**MSUguy** · December-18-12, 04:06 PM

At this rate we're gonna have to rename downtown to gilbertown

'1201 Woodward - Kresge BuildingThe 54,000 square-foot property built in 1891 was home to the former Kresge store. The nine-story building, located on the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and State Street, will be renovated to accommodate first floor retail and either office or residential space above. A portion of the first floor currently houses The Detroit Shoppe and Detroit Artist Market pop-up stores.

-- 1217 WoodwardThis five-story 30,000 square-foot building is located on the west side of Woodward Avenue, immediately north of the Kresge Building. Built in 1891, the building will be renovated and used for first floor retail and either office or residential space above. A portion of the first floor currently houses Santa's Wonderland, a seasonal store specifically for children with proceeds benefitting Detroit Goodfellows, ensuring there is "No Kiddie without a Christmas."

-- 1412 WoodwardLocated on the east side of Woodward Avenue between Grand River Avenue and John R Street, this three-story building was built in 1916. The 6,000 square-foot building is currently unoccupied, but will feature first floor retail with office space above.

-- 1301 Broadway - Cary Building LoftsThe 20,000 square-foot building, built in 1906, is located on the west corner of Gratiot Avenue and Broadway Street. The five-story structure will undergo extensive renovations to accommodate first floor retail space with residential space above.

-- 1521 Broadway - Small Plates BuildingThe 9,300 square-foot building is 100 percent occupied by Small Plates restaurant on the first floor with four residential loft apartments above. The five-story building is located on the west side of Broadway Street between John R and Witherell Street.