SOMA [South of Mack Ave] Development

**shawring** · August-07-19, 07:38 AM

On my way to work I saw a bulldozer digging up the location where SOMA and the west elm, are going to be built, Does anyone know whats going on

**JonWylie** · August-07-19, 08:09 AM

Probably this parking structure https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...h+Park+CDC.pdf

**mjb3** · August-09-19, 10:20 AM

Seems like a lot of production for lingerie shop? IMO

**Dmberko11** · August-09-19, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by mjb3

Seems like a lot of production for lingerie shop? IMO

....Maybe you can shop the clearance section there for your panties

**hybridy** · November-11-20, 07:22 PM

updated renders:

**SammyS** · November-11-20, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by shawring

On my way to work I saw a bulldozer digging up the location where SOMA and the west elm, are going to be built, Does anyone know whats going on

They’re probably going to put up a sign saying “Coming Soon”

**Gistok** · November-11-20, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

updated renders:

Wow... I really like the look of the 16 story tower... usually critical of a lot of modern architecture, but that blue accent tower looks great!

16 stories... same height as the former Statler... but I won't go there...

**hybridy** · November-11-20, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Wow... I really like the look of the 16 story tower... usually critical of a lot of modern architecture, but that blue accent tower looks great!

16 stories... same height as the former Statler... but I won't go there...

Can’t stick build that high lol

**401don** · November-12-20, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by hybridy

Can’t stick build that high lol

Actually you can, although the People Mover vibration might tip it over:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/...ly-opens-doors

**hybridy** · November-12-20, 08:50 AM

Mass Timber is not the same as 'stick-built', but we're splitting hairs.

The tallest mass timber tower is now under construction in Milwaukee:
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2020/02/0...-timber-tower/

**angry_fred** · November-12-20, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by hybridy

updated renders:

Where did you find these "updated renders"?

**Satiricalivory** · November-12-20, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

16 stories... same height as the former Statler... but I won't go there...

You can blame Kwame for killing Statler. The city didn't even pretend to care about selling it.

**EGrant** · November-12-20, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by angry_fred

Where did you find these "updated renders"?

City Club Website

**JonWylie** · November-12-20, 04:48 PM

So is the office portion of SOMA no more? I guess I figured there would be one apartment building but still a portion of the original plan.

**NSortzi** · November-12-20, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by JonWylie

So is the office portion of SOMA no more? I guess I figured there would be one apartment building but still a portion of the original plan.

Looks like it. The rendering also doesn't show the planned second parking garage, either. I could care less about a new parking garage, but they were designed to carry extra residential floors at a later date.

**13606Cedargrove** · November-15-20, 11:42 AM

I know I must sound quite unhip, but what is "SOMA"?

**JonWylie** · November-15-20, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by 13606Cedargrove

I know I must sound quite unhip, but what is "SOMA"?

South
Of
Mac
Ave

**angry_fred** · November-15-20, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by K-slice

Single story retail building facing Mac is kind of a let down. The apartment portion though is very nice though.

Anyone know what's to become of the historic home that sits smack in the middle of this development? Is that planned for residential space as well or some other use?

The historic home is south of Eliot street, which looks like will be reconnected. The development won't cross Eliot so the home should be undisturbed

**rbdetsport** · November-15-20, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by K-slice

Single story retail building facing Mac is kind of a let down. The apartment portion though is very nice though.

Anyone know what's to become of the historic home that sits smack in the middle of this development? Is that planned for residential space as well or some other use?

I agree.. I do not understand why this design would not better reflect the the widths of Mack Ave and Eliot Street. Height should be more proportional to street section width. So I would flip the apartment building height to where the single-story retail is. Based on the rendering, the single-story retail looks identical to the City Target in downtown East Lansing, which would be a plus though.

**JTburner** · January-29-21, 12:26 PM

https://www.freep.com/restricted/?re...F4301669001%2F

I don't have access to Freep but saw this summary:

Holtzman's latest plans, building renderings and timetable for completion were unveiled Thursday night at a virtual meeting of the Detroit City Planning Commission in preparation for a Feb. 4 public hearing for a zoning change.

The project's three components are:

A 16-story residential tower with 270 apartments

A six-story midrise with 70 apartments and ground-floor storefronts

A 32,000-square-foot building for a large unnamed retailer

Under the current timetable, the retail building and 70-unit residential midrise could be ready to open at about the same time in early 2023, Kehm said, with the 16-story tower following about three months later. The development also includes a 186-space underground parking garage.

**EGrant** · January-29-21, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by JTburner

A 32,000-square-foot building for a large unnamed retailer

Do you think they have a retailer locked in, or are they still trying to TARGET a retailer at this point?

**JonWylie** · January-29-21, 12:39 PM

Steve Kehm, a representative for City Club Apartments, told commissioners that the large retailer has asked to keep its identity a secret until later. Documents shared during City Club's presentation described the retailer as a "discount supermarket."

Let the speculation begin...

**EGrant** · January-29-21, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by JonWylie

Let the speculation begin...

So... Aldi?

**hybridy** · January-29-21, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

So... Aldi?

LOL this. Other unlikely options: WalMart Neighborhood Market, Meijer Neighborhood Market or City Target.

Longshot options: Trader Joes, Lidl, Amazon

Dollar store? Doubtful. Is this allowed per zoning?

**JonWylie** · January-29-21, 02:48 PM

A Crain's article from today says,

A one-story, 32,000-square-foot building would have what the document refers to as an unnamed "national general merchandise retailer" that City Club Apartments is currently in negotiations with.

From a quick Google search, Aldi says their average store is only around half that size at 17,000 SF, so could be something else. Plus there is already an Aldi in Highland Park