New 9 story building in midtown!

**Jason** · November-22-13, 09:07 PM

iirc the parking garage on the north side of the block covers the new parking needed for the new developments and the replacement parking from the parking lots being built on.

**gthomas** · November-22-13, 10:10 PM

I was thinking that they would of planned this for Woodward and Warren site, as originally planned. Guess the Subway shop couldn't be leased out, now what's the plans for the site now?

**mwilbert** · November-23-13, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by A2Mike

How many Detroiters in the 1920's would have gotten excited about a 9 story building? May as well be the first Starbucks in Benton Harbor.

Probably none, but I don't see the relevance of the question. It isn't the 1920's and Detroiters haven't been jaded by an enormous building boom.

In June you may not pay a lot of attention to the leaves on the trees, but in April you might see a tree with some tiny leaves and take that as a sign that spring is arriving. Seems natural to me that people would be somewhat excited. But, to continue in the same vein, one swallow doesn't make a spring.

**Gistok** · November-23-13, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by hybridy

+1 for added density, mixed use
-10 for design

Amen to that.... Bjarke Ingels... where are you??

**wolverine** · November-23-13, 11:34 AM

Very refreshing to see bigger development. This will certainly contribute big to the neighborhood. Unfortunately the design looks very cheap. Kind of the same type of architecture you see on suburban hotels. Hopefully they can make a revision.

**DetroitPlanner** · November-23-13, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Very refreshing to see bigger development. This will certainly contribute big to the neighborhood. Unfortunately the design looks very cheap. Kind of the same type of architecture you see on suburban hotels. Hopefully they can make a revision.

I agree it looks like that crap they are building in Ann Arbor.

**canuck** · November-23-13, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Very refreshing to see bigger development. This will certainly contribute big to the neighborhood. Unfortunately the design looks very cheap. Kind of the same type of architecture you see on suburban hotels. Hopefully they can make a revision.

Well it doesnt look like it was designed by a Nobel Prizewinner but at least it doesnt have a goofy staggered cladding pattern that is all the rage now. lol.

**gthomas** · November-23-13, 03:20 PM

Here's a idea, The new building will be 9-stories, why not make it one of Marriott's "urban cosmopolitan' boutique hotel and residence, which is called "The 9"...how ironic. Check it out, in Cleveland, OH. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...226472771.html

**wolverine** · November-23-13, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I agree it looks like that crap they are building in Ann Arbor.

You are right. But, at least the stuff in Ann Arbor is all brick. Still doesn't excuse it from looking institutional. But this thing appears to have stucco above the first couple levels. The same low cost theory you see in tract homes with the brick front and siding on the back. Build it fast and build it cheap.

But I'm willing to excuse the ugly design for the fact that this will be a major improvement, adds density, more residents and retail, and is finally crossing a threshold where larger development in the city is underway. But after awhile, Detroit [[or Michigan in general) needs to up it's game in architectural design. Detroit has rich architectural history and deserves better than lowest cost design on the market

**hybridy** · November-23-13, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Amen to that.... Bjarke Ingels... where are you??

Lol. Have u gotten u off the liebeskind train?

**hybridy** · November-23-13, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by canuck

Well it doesnt look like it was designed by a Nobel Prizewinner but at least it doesnt have a goofy staggered cladding pattern that is all the rage now. lol.

pritzker prize is for architecture

**Sehv313** · November-23-13, 06:43 PM

Cass & Canfield? Why didn't they build this on the empty corner lot of Warren & Woodward, Its actually more space there.

**scottn55** · November-23-13, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

You are right. But, at least the stuff in Ann Arbor is all brick. Still doesn't excuse it from looking institutional. But this thing appears to have stucco above the first couple levels. The same low cost theory you see in tract homes with the brick front and siding on the back. Build it fast and build it cheap.

But I'm willing to excuse the ugly design for the fact that this will be a major improvement, adds density, more residents and retail, and is finally crossing a threshold where larger development in the city is underway. But after awhile, Detroit [[or Michigan in general) needs to up it's game in architectural design. Detroit has rich architectural history and deserves better than lowest cost design on the market

Actually a lot of what they're building in Ann Arbor is faced with a "brick" veneer. I've seen them install the panels. Perhaps some of these buildings are real brick but I've never seen any masons working on any of them.

**canuck** · November-23-13, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

pritzker prize is for architecture

True, and the funny thing is Nobel was responsible for the quick removal of architecture, so to speak.

**wolverine** · November-23-13, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by scottn55

Actually a lot of what they're building in Ann Arbor is faced with a "brick" veneer. I've seen them install the panels. Perhaps some of these buildings are real brick but I've never seen any masons working on any of them.

Actually most, but not all, is utility size brick, not precast with thin inlay. In fact the university does all lay up masonry, but not the private housing developers with shallower pockets. It's a close cousin aesthetically to cmu blocks in my opinion. But I'll take that over EIFS which is embraced on party stores and strip malls. I hope I'm wrong, but that's what the rendering seems to suggest. Why else stop the brick on the lower levels?

**scottn55** · November-24-13, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Actually most, but not all, is utility size brick, not precast with thin inlay. In fact the university does all lay up masonry, but not the private housing developers with shallower pockets. It's a close cousin aesthetically to cmu blocks in my opinion. But I'll take that over EIFS which is embraced on party stores and strip malls. I hope I'm wrong, but that's what the rendering seems to suggest. Why else stop the brick on the lower levels?

I was referring strictly to the private developments. I can say with certainty that the pre-cast panels are in widespread use on new construction high-rises in Ann Arbor. The apartment building that went up a few years ago at State and Washington is one prominent example. I agree with you regarding EIFS. It's terrible. I've seen some particularly egregious bastardizations of homes in Dearborn [[Aviation Sub in particular) using this material. Or this abomination at I-94 and Lumley in Detroit... See it every day on my way to and from work and wonder WTF? Although I guess it beats the "firebombed" look so popular with many of its neighbors. http://goo.gl/maps/Vw6d7

**jaytheory** · November-24-13, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by tkelly1986

I assume the NW corner where there is one lonely house sitting?

next to university tower

**Danny** · November-24-13, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sehv313

Cass & Canfield? Why didn't they build this on the empty corner lot of Warren & Woodward, Its actually more space there.

WSU and other real estate planners can put and exotic buildings whatever they want in midtown. It's for their benefit to make people happy not for our benefit. One area can be a park, parking lot or a brownfield and other can be a building complex.

**Hermod** · November-25-13, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

WSU and other real estate planners can put and exotic buildings whatever they want in midtown. It's for their benefit to make people happy not for our benefit. One area can be a park, parking lot or a brownfield and other can be a building complex.

Danny is right. Ownership of the land trumps DYesers playing SimCity.

**wolverine** · November-25-13, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by scottn55

I was referring strictly to the private developments. I can say with certainty that the pre-cast panels are in widespread use on new construction high-rises in Ann Arbor. The apartment building that went up a few years ago at State and Washington is one prominent example. I agree with you regarding EIFS. It's terrible. I've seen some particularly egregious bastardizations of homes in Dearborn [[Aviation Sub in particular) using this material. Or this abomination at I-94 and Lumley in Detroit... See it every day on my way to and from work and wonder WTF? Although I guess it beats the "firebombed" look so popular with many of its neighbors. http://goo.gl/maps/Vw6d7

State and Washington was thin brick, but applied by hand. It was cold form steel and rigid board insulation behind it. Not precast. Zaragon projects used structural precast but did have lay-up utility size brick. I have photos of all of these under construction on visits to Ann Arbor. You don't have to convince me though, I'm not a fan of those projects.

As for detroit yes playing simcity, there's actually a varying amount citizen participation in larger cities. I don't know how much power is given to residents who may speak through their district representatives. At least where I live we successfully convinced a developer to move their tower to a lot next door and not tear down some old brownstones. Ultimately an alderman could support or bury a project if the electorate wasn't happy with the design. So kind of like simcity if community meetings continuously send developers and architects back to the drawing board. Or else the projects simply never get approved.

greekt0wn · November-25-13, 09:25 PM

Wow a whole 9 stories of Detroit opulence. I can't wait to sign a lease and live next to some of Wayne State's 26% 6 year grad rate finest.

**motz** · November-25-13, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by greekt0wn

Wow a whole 9 stories of Detroit opulence. I can't wait to sign a lease and live next to some of Wayne State's 26% 6 year grad rate finest.

Oh man, you remind me of absolutely none of the other half assed trolls to pass through in since I've been reading regularly. Nope definitely none of them.

I am excited to hear this, but disappointed that it is going to take until 2015 to get this going. I have a feeling by then, several of the other projects that have not broken ground will be well underway and ready to go. Honestly shouldn't bitch though, development is development is development.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · November-25-13, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by greekt0wn

Wow a whole 9 stories of Detroit opulence. I can't wait to sign a lease and live next to some of Wayne State's 26% 6 year grad rate finest.

Yes, you'd be such a fine addition to the neighborhood.

greekt0wn · November-25-13, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by motz

I am excited to hear this, but disappointed that it is going to take until 2015 to get this going.

How do all of you Detroit lifers keep falling for the smoke and mirrors? If this was Chicago, New York, D.C., or SF a 9 story building would be completed by this summer.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · November-25-13, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by greekt0wn

How do all of you Detroit lifers keep falling for the smoke and mirrors? If this was Chicago, New York, D.C., or SF a 9 story building would be completed by this summer.

As resident of SF, I can attest to the fact that you obviously have no idea of the development process here.