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

**Gistok** · December-21-12, 12:40 PM

They would probably have to subdivide the interior of the National to do that. The original interior is too far gone for restoration, so subdividing the space into show, dining and other areas [[such as a kitchen) would work. But the facade and outer Pewabic lined lobby could be reused.

**AGinthe313** · December-21-12, 04:40 PM

Rumor has it..Godiva Chocolatier is lined-up for one of the retail fronts in the new Broadway Z

**gthomas** · December-21-12, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by AGinthe313

Rumor has it..Godiva Chocolatier is lined-up for one of the retail fronts in the new Broadway Z

Now that will be nice next door to a Sander's Icecream Shop.

**downtownguy** · December-21-12, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by AGinthe313

Rumor has it..Godiva Chocolatier is lined-up for one of the retail fronts in the new Broadway Z

Wow, that's impressive, if true. I remember a Godiva in the RenCen when it first opened. It was quite a novelty then because they weren't in many malls yet. I hardly get to the malls, but it seems they're more conspicuous now.

**AGinthe313** · December-21-12, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

Wow, that's impressive, if true. I remember a Godiva in the RenCen when it first opened. It was quite a novelty then because they weren't in many malls yet. I hardly get to the malls, but it seems they're more conspicuous now.

I was talking to one of the building owners on Broadway - and he was raving about the quality of retail stores that will be going into the Z-Building retail.

**downtownguy** · December-21-12, 05:26 PM

Perhaps Simmons & Clark is a bellwether. In the 80s, when the area was undeveloped, they were just hanging on. Then, in the 90s the Opera House with their upscale audience arrives and Simmons & Clark is still there doing business. At first blush, you might think Woodward is the best choice for upscale, but considering the amount and variety of foot traffic that will go by that corner [[don't forget the traffic the YMCA brings to the area, and people mover stops at either end), it could be a smart move.

**mikeg19** · December-22-12, 11:09 AM

Has Gilbert become the number one private property owner downtown yet?

**gthomas** · December-22-12, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

Has Gilbert become the number one private property owner downtown yet?

No, General Motors still holds that title, not for long though. Gilbert and Ilitch will steal that soon once all their developments and owned-properties are added up, but I don't see that slowing anytime. Overall, Gilbert will win especially once the Hudson and Monroe Block is developed.

**gthomas** · December-22-12, 07:53 PM

I'm just ready to see and experience this everyday:

And this in Midtown

**Detroitdave** · December-24-12, 09:23 AM

@gthomas ok who do you know ?

**Wheels** · December-24-12, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by gthomas

I'm just ready to see and experience this everyday:

And this in Midtown

The reality is if it goes north of the Boulevard it will come back stripped and full of graffiti.

**gthomas** · December-24-12, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitdave

@gthomas ok who do you know ?

I know alot a folks, lol just not too many people listening. If I tell you what and who I know you will try to kill me.

**rbdetsport** · December-24-12, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

I know alot a folks, lol just not too many people listening. If I tell you what and who I know you will try to kill me.

The second two photos come from the M1 Rail site, but where did the first one come from?

**gthomas** · December-24-12, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by rbdetsport

The second two photos come from the M1 Rail site, but where did the first one come from?

From a design student @ Lawrence Tech I believe, I will find the link.

**gthomas** · December-24-12, 01:35 PM

Here's a link, but it doesn't specify. Just my guess:

http://delusional-government.blogspo...dle-class.html

**gthomas** · December-24-12, 01:38 PM

Do you guys remember this one:

I actually love this design:

Here's some renderings of the design that is on the boards for phase I of Detroit's long-anticipated mass-transit, light rail plan, as proposed by Julie Ju-Youn Kim, AIA and founder of construcTWO, a small architectural firm with offices in Washington DC and Detroit.

All Photos originally from construcTWO's website: http://www.constructwo.com/m1.html

As described by Ingrid Spencer in this month's Architectural Record, the plans are "....a collaboration with HOK/D.C. for a series of light-rail stations in Detroit with dynamic LED lighting systems integrated into translucent glass-panel skins"

Full Article Here http://archrecord.construction.com/a...onstrucTWO.asp

**rbdetsport** · December-24-12, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Do you guys remember this one:

I actually love this design:

Here's some renderings of the design that is on the boards for phase I of Detroit's long-anticipated mass-transit, light rail plan, as proposed by Julie Ju-Youn Kim, AIA and founder of construcTWO, a small architectural firm with offices in Washington DC and Detroit.

All Photos originally from construcTWO's website: http://www.constructwo.com/m1.html

As described by Ingrid Spencer in this month's Architectural Record, the plans are "....a collaboration with HOK/D.C. for a series of light-rail stations in Detroit with dynamic LED lighting systems integrated into translucent glass-panel skins"

Full Article Here http://archrecord.construction.com/a...onstrucTWO.asp

I would guess this is still the planned design as these came from the
private investor plan, M1 Rail.

**stasu1213** · December-24-12, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by rbdetsport

I would guess this is still the planned design as these came from the
private investor plan, M1 Rail.

The sidewalks along Woodward's business distrct will need to be narrowed to fit that sketch. I will be glad that something is done to Woodward.

**stasu1213** · December-24-12, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

No, General Motors still holds that title, not for long though. Gilbert and Ilitch will steal that soon once all their developments and owned-properties are added up, but I don't see that slowing anytime. Overall, Gilbert will win especially once the Hudson and Monroe Block is developed.

Gilbert will open retail for everyone to shop and enjoy. GM wants to be an island unto itself and would have the riverfront for few people to enjoy. Illitch had given us the Fox, and Comerica Park but when it comes to developing the UA he may not be as creative as Gilbert is on it

**DetroitPlanner** · December-24-12, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

Gilbert will open retail for everyone to shop and enjoy. GM wants to be an island unto itself and would have the riverfront for few people to enjoy. Illitch had given us the Fox, and Comerica Park but when it comes to developing the UA he may not be as creative as Gilbert is on it

If GM wanted to be an island, why did they open up the Ren Cen and free it from its moated walls? The fact is, there is such a thing as a building that is too large. They took a building that was built just far to big and spent hundreds of millions trying to make it into something that was more welcoming and functioning.

Why would Ilitch need the UA? He has theatres at his command ranging in size from the very small City theatre to Comerica Park. He has a concert venue approximately the size of the UA with SoundBoard at the casino. Part of the casino agreement with the City required that the casino provide convention/auditorium space. He was more interested in making the casino cash.

serpico · December-24-12, 11:34 PM

Maybe Gilbert and Illitch can move into these "fixer uppers" and be neighbors? I know there leadership move back into the city would provide the needed stimulus for others to follow. Name: det31.jpg
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Name: det31.jpg
Views: 1255
Size: 50.0 KB

**Zacha341** · December-25-12, 10:09 AM

Wow! That photo speaks volumes when contrasted to the downtown idea renderings. Where did all of the people go that once live here? How do they feel about where we need to go as a city?

**southen** · December-25-12, 10:17 AM

why post anything positive about downtown when there are burnt out buildings in the neighborhoods? good job serpico! spot on. couldnt be more relevant!

**Honky Tonk** · December-25-12, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Wow! That photo speaks volumes when contrasted to the downtown idea renderings. Where did all of the people go that once live here? How do they feel about where we need to go as a city?

The bigger question is, what is Detroit doing for the residents that STILL live there? The people sticking it out, trying "to make it better"? Has Detroit "abandoned" them? There is plenty of blight around for sure, but there are still plenty of people wating for the Pheonix to rise out of the ashes.

**313WX** · December-25-12, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by serpico

Maybe Gilbert and Illitch can move into these "fixer uppers" and be neighbors? I know there leadership move back into the city would provide the needed stimulus for others to follow. Name: det31.jpg
Views: 1255
Size: 50.0 KB

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

The bigger question is, what is Detroit doing for the residents that STILL live there? The people sticking it out, trying "to make it better"? Has Detroit "abandoned" them? There is plenty of blight around for sure, but there are still plenty of people wating for the Pheonix to rise out of the ashes.

If you've seen any of the models for Detroit in 2025 or 2050, much of the city outside of downtown has reverted back to forest/farmland while downtown is some skyscraper forest [[I.E. Atlanta).

[[Father & son that lives in downtown Detroit camping in the woods in 2050)

*Grandfather: You know son, thousands upon thousands of people used to live on this land back in my day. There were streets bustling with all sorts of commerce. Two of them went by the names of Mack and Kerchevel, and there were tightly packed residential blocks with names such as Lenox and Drexel that you only find in big cities such as New York or Chicago these days.

*Grandson: Really Granddad? You're kidding me!!! why would anyone want to live out here in the middle of nowhere?

*Grandfather: I kid you not. I would have laughed myself if someone told me when I was a lad that I'd actually be camping amongst miles and miles or forest in what was once one of the densest urban neighborhoods in America.