Monroe Block Development

**emu steve** · August-21-17, 04:07 AM

This project is 800M? Wow.

So a billion [[nearly) here, a billion there [[Hudsons) and another billion there [[fail-jail), and as they say in the federal government, pretty soon you are talking real money.

All of this is stunning for a city which was on the ropes not that long ago.

**bust** · August-21-17, 05:12 AM

Very nice. I hope it happens. I love the thought of new residential and retail space coming to the area. Like that some of the parking would be underground. As much as possible, please. And the variety of new outdoor/green spaces -- both public and private.

I do wish they'd preserve and restore the entire National Theater though, not just the facade. With the talk of Aretha still wanting to open a club wouldn't it be great if those stars could align?

And I hope they design those sloped roofs with Detroit snow, ice, and wind in mind. I'm reminded of the problems they have of snow and ice falling from the similarly sloped roof of the Bank of America building in NYC. It's a great benefit to be able to learn from other people's mistakes.

http://www.businessinsider.com/ice-f...ilding-2013-12

I'm not sure exactly what goes on up there, but you can see an image of the Bank of America building in NYC and its similarly sloped roof here.

**rjlj** · August-21-17, 09:10 AM

The plans I have seen for the Monroe block do not include the preservation of the National Theater.

Also, the two historic buildings on Bates St and Farmer would be demoed as well.

**1953** · August-21-17, 09:23 AM

I want every historic building saved all the time, but the shear volume of new development in this project will make me turn my head just this once.

1953

**313WX** · August-21-17, 09:46 AM

*Proceeds to do a jig*

Gonna call it now. This will be no less than 500ft. What's the last 500ft + tower built in Detroit?

Next up, Lafayette Block!!!

**dtowncitylover** · August-21-17, 10:00 AM

Drool....very exciting!

**Zads07** · August-21-17, 10:11 AM

I truly hope they at least save the facade of the National Theatre. Great idea putting Aretha's club there, it would be the perfect size.

**1953** · August-21-17, 10:32 AM

I've heard variously that Aretha is not a reputable business person -- so, skipper's rule on her "retirement club."

**southen** · August-21-17, 10:35 AM

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Here is a screen grab from the video in the Freep article. It is amazing how much more dense downtown is going to be/feel with this and Hudsons.

Going vertical is fun. We should have done this years ago..

**313WX** · August-21-17, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by southen

Here is a screen grab from the video in the Freep article. It is amazing how much more dense downtown is going to be/feel with this and Hudsons.

Going vertical is fun. We should have done this years ago..

Like every other major / mid-size city.

**SammyS** · August-21-17, 11:15 AM

Very cool. Hudson fills that last void on Woodward

**Junjie** · August-21-17, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by SammyS

Very cool. Hudson fills that last void on Woodward

Almost... still need Ilitch to build on the Comerica parking lots.

**emu steve** · August-21-17, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Junjie

Almost... still need Ilitch to build on the Comerica parking lots.

Yep. Got to say a TON of construction spending and employment in the next months and years ahead between the Monroe block, Hudsons, fail-jail site, this site, the new jail, etc.

**ParisianLesion** · August-21-17, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by emu steve

Yep. Got to say a TON of construction spending and employment in the next months and years ahead between the Monroe block, Hudsons, fail-jail site, this site, the new jail, etc.

Not to mention the Gordie Howe Bridge... Construction resource availability is going to be even tighter over the next few years.

**SammyS** · August-21-17, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Junjie

Almost... still need Ilitch to build on the Comerica parking lots.

Yeh, heard about the apartment project but is it a sure thing? Worst case, if it remains a parking lot, at least the Stadium is viewable from the street. Not a total loss I guess.

**Gistok** · August-21-17, 12:04 PM

Whether or not the National Theatre gets saved, the facade is 100% guaranteed to be saved.

**313WX** · August-21-17, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by SammyS

Yeh, heard about the apartment project but is it a sure thing? Worst case, if it remains a parking lot, at least the Stadium is viewable from the street. Not a total loss I guess.

What apartment project? Do tell.

**SammyS** · August-21-17, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

What apartment project? Do tell.

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/artic...k#.WZtpLxiZNE4

and

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/in...p_near_co.html

**313WX** · August-21-17, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by SammyS

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/artic...k#.WZtpLxiZNE4

and

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/in...p_near_co.html

Thanks....

**K-slice** · August-21-17, 06:42 PM

Shame there's no info on saving the National, or the cool 6 story Gothic building on Bates. It's hard to put preservation of those above what would a be a massive improvement for Downtown though... Campus Martius would have a lot better feel with this skyscraper filling in the last empty spot around it!

**ABetterDetroit** · August-21-17, 08:15 PM

Astonishing is the correct word with this guy.

The speed that he operates at is just amazing on all his projects.

**royce** · August-21-17, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Astonishing is the correct word with this guy.

The speed that he operates at is just amazing on all his projects.

I would agree with you, ABetterDetroit, for the most part. However, why is it taking so long to complete the micro-apartments at 24 Grand? I know it's opening this fall, but it feels like they have been working on it longer than expected.

**southen** · August-22-17, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by royce

I would agree with you, ABetterDetroit, for the most part. However, why is it taking so long to complete the micro-apartments at 24 Grand? I know it's opening this fall, but it feels like they have been working on it longer than expected.

I have a feeling that part of it may have to do with the amount of units they have and the fact that they are all getting custom cabinetry to maximize space. It does seem like they have been moving slow though compared to other projects.

**Atticus** · August-22-17, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by southen

I have a feeling that part of it may have to do with the amount of units they have and the fact that they are all getting custom cabinetry to maximize space. It does seem like they have been moving slow though compared to other projects.

It is also a new build. On renovations of even the most abandoned structures, there are still certain construction related things you can start doing on day one, that in a new build you have to delay the start for. New builds that aren't cookie cutters generally take much longer, as more unexpected/unforeseen issues tend to come up.

**Hermod** · August-22-17, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Atticus

It is also a new build. On renovations of even the most abandoned structures, there are still certain construction related things you can start doing on day one, that in a new build you have to delay the start for. New builds that aren't cookie cutters generally take much longer, as more unexpected/unforeseen issues tend to come up.

Or it is also possible that some guy in CoD gummint is being a roadblock until there is large enough set-a-side for "friends and family"