Gilbert Bringing Cosm Entertainment to Cadillac Square

**401don** · November-01-24, 09:10 AM

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/en...e/75969870007/

This sounds really great! Or dumb. Actually I have no idea. I'm probably too old to understand it.

**1953** · November-01-24, 10:34 AM

The mockup they did has similar dimensions to the Family Theater that, I think, use to be on that spot. Maybe they can write 'Family Theater' on the side for the old timers.

1953

**Redesigned83** · November-01-24, 11:56 AM

I need to see a night render to know if I like this design or not.

**Gistok** · November-01-24, 12:54 PM

WTH?? This is the spot where the relocated National Theatre facade was going to go with a 2000 seat theatre behind the relocated facade. And next to it was going to go a food hall. What the hell happened to that whole development that was supposed to get off the ground before the end of the year.

This looks so butt ugly. It reminds me of all of those ugly downtown 1950s historic building covers that once they were ripped off, the beautiful older building facade survives underneath.

This COSM should go up into the arena district, not here.

So what's going to happen to the disassembled National Theatre facade?

Very disappointed in Gilbert right now!

**canuck** · November-01-24, 02:29 PM

@Gistok/ So what's going to happen to the disassembled National Theatre facade?

Give it to Ilitches, they should make good on their promise to rebuild it... in the arena district, no less...

**Tuere** · November-01-24, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

So what's going to happen to the disassembled National Theatre facade?

Very disappointed in Gilbert right now!

You could start a grassroots campaign [[through social media) to push Bedrock to do better on the design. If it gets loud enough they might listen.

I like the idea and don’t mind the location, but design definitely pales in comparison to the original. I’m guessing the original design is no longer feasible for the Cosm, but doesn’t mean they can’t do better than this rendering. Perhaps they were trying to blend with compuware building. Totally unnecessary…

**bragaboutme** · November-01-24, 03:40 PM

It says it's not the final design.

**southen** · November-01-24, 03:58 PM

From a design perspective I am still at a loss as to why THIS part of the development needs to front Cadillac Square and Campus Martius. There should be at minimum 10-15 stories fronting those two parks.

I certainly hope the design changes because this is a far cry from what was proposed utilizing the National Theater Facade.

**Danny** · November-01-24, 05:06 PM

I called Gilbert's plan to develop Cadillac Square and Monroe Block incredibly stupid! He supposed to plan a 20-story building in that area. I guess he will settle with a small sport complex.

**Danny** · November-01-24, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Tuere

You could start a grassroots campaign [[through social media) to push Bedrock to do better on the design. If it gets loud enough they might listen.

I like the idea and don’t mind the location, but design definitely pales in comparison to the original. I’m guessing the original design is no longer feasible for the Cosm, but doesn’t mean they can’t do better than this rendering. Perhaps they were trying to blend with compuware building. Totally unnecessary…

I agree with you. Gilbert is thinking too big but ended up like Donald Trump's failed investment attempts. You can do better Gilbert!

I say sell the land to another developer and see what their development will do the Cadillac Square and Monroe block.

**stasu1213** · November-01-24, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

WTH?? This is the spot where the relocated National Theatre facade was going to go with a 2000 seat theatre behind the relocated facade. And next to it was going to go a food hall. What the hell happened to that whole development that was supposed to get off the ground before the end of the year.

This looks so butt ugly. It reminds me of all of those ugly downtown 1950s historic building covers that once they were ripped off, the beautiful older building facade survives underneath.

This COSM should go up into the arena district, not here.

So what's going to happen to the disassembled National Theatre facade?

Very disappointed in Gilbert right now!

I had told everyone that the facade won't be coming back with a theatre attached to it. You should know how things are done in Detroit by now.

**Gistok** · November-01-24, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

I had told everyone that the facade won't be coming back with a theatre attached to it. You should know how things are done in Detroit by now.

Not worried that the carefully dismantled National Theatre facade is going to end up in a landfill somewhere. Gilbert has been very respectful of historic restoration in Detroit. If the Ilitches owned it, then I would be worried!

I'm more upset at the ugly facade to that "theatre in the round" on Cadillac Square. No not every square inch of the 2 Monroe blocks has to be high rise. I did think that the National Theatre facade would look great next door to the historic Cadillac Tower, whereas the facade in this diagram looks horrible on such a historic boulevard.

This shows us what COSM is all about... a similar concept to IMAX, but different...

https://www.cosm.com/the-experience

Based on this link, a theatre will still go there, just not sure about why they can't use the National facade?? No two of the COSM locations looks the same, although I guess a modern facade is what they all have in common.

I wonder why the addition of a 1900 seat new theatre next to Music Hall impacts the Cadillac Square original plans, unless they were worried about having just another venue the same size as the one planned for Cadillac Square. I wouldn't mind if the Music Hall additional theatre was redesigned using the National facade [if Gilbert wanted to donate it to them]. But I hate the ugly facade planned for the Campus Martius area.

One other thing... it looks as though the COSM experience is not limited to sports... I see other genre, such as movies, as a possibility for that venue. Just want a facade that complements the area.

Again, I'm not worried that the National facade will end up in a landfill, since Gilbert is NOT an Ilitch. But it may or may not be part of a Monroe blocks development addition.

**Gistok** · November-02-24, 12:47 AM

I looked at the schedule for the Los Angeles COSM, and about 70%-80% of the monthly schedule is sporting events, which at $33 a seat, would be hard to justify for other events, such as a movie.

I just read on Facebook that Gilberts original theatre concept for this site has been dropped because of the plans for the 1,900 seat venue addition to Music Hall would be competition for this venue.

**royce** · November-02-24, 03:13 AM

I strongly disagree with Gilbert's plans to have this part of Cadillac Square Park and the Monroe Block continue to be entertainment or office related. That whole section should be converted into residential buildings with ground floor retail and a huge parking deck hidden in the back. I know he plans on putting residential north of Farmer street, but I think residential units that look out to Campus Martius and Cadillac Square Park have a better appeal to those looking to live downtown. The entertainment plans, even the now scrapped plans to use the National Theater facade for a concert venue, was a bad idea. I'd rather see constant foot traffic in that area from residents in apartments or condos going to restaurants and shops, than concert goers showing up two or three days a week for four hours an evening.

**401don** · November-02-24, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

I looked at the schedule for the Los Angeles COSM, and about 70%-80% of the monthly schedule is sporting events, which at $33 a seat, would be hard to justify for other events, such as a movie.

Stadiums are being built with large drinking areas where young people can stand and socialize rather than be confined to their seats. For road games, it's been traditional to go to a bar if you want to get out of the house with friends. This seems like you're asking people to pay a big cover charge to sit in a seat and watch on a screen. I can see if for big events, even concerts that weren't coming to your city, but on a regular basis?

**Danny** · November-02-24, 07:27 AM

His non attractable COSM complex will be Gilbert's first development folly. He needs to scrap that plan and focus more of creating tall high-scrapers, retail, restaurants and create more foot traffic and venues. Because in protest Detroiters will block and shut that place down when it opens.

Mr. Dan Gilbert if you can see my comments. Please scrap this project.

**Danny** · November-02-24, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by royce

I strongly disagree with Gilbert's plans to have this part of Cadillac Square Park and the Monroe Block continue to be entertainment or office related. That whole section should be converted into residential buildings with ground floor retail and a huge parking deck hidden in the back. I know he plans on putting residential north of Farmer street, but I think residential units that look out to Campus Martius and Cadillac Square Park have a better appeal to those looking to live downtown. The entertainment plans, even the now scrapped plans to use the National Theater facade for a concert venue, was a bad idea. I'd rather see constant foot traffic in that area from residents in apartments or condos going to restaurants and shops, than concert goers showing up two or three days a week for four hours an evening.

With his ticky tacky folly entertainment complex in that area. Detroiters will dislike it. It's like opening Autoworld in Downtown Flint that went was an instant failure.

**Danny** · November-02-24, 07:41 AM

Let it be 'THE FINAL DESIGN'. A scrapped project.

**Danny** · November-02-24, 02:27 PM

Gilbert, I hope you seen this ad from Robocop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUuPLvLrCyE

**stasu1213** · November-03-24, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Not worried that the carefully dismantled National Theatre facade is going to end up in a landfill somewhere. Gilbert has been very respectful of historic restoration in Detroit. If the Ilitches owned it, then I would be worried!

I'm more upset at the ugly facade to that "theatre in the round" on Cadillac Square. No not every square inch of the 2 Monroe blocks has to be high rise. I did think that the National Theatre facade would look great next door to the historic Cadillac Tower, whereas the facade in this diagram looks horrible on such a historic boulevard.

This shows us what COSM is all about... a similar concept to IMAX, but different...

https://www.cosm.com/the-experience

Based on this link, a theatre will still go there, just not sure about why they can't use the National facade?? No two of the COSM locations looks the same, although I guess a modern facade is what they all have in common.

I wonder why the addition of a 1900 seat new theatre next to Music Hall impacts the Cadillac Square original plans, unless they were worried about having just another venue the same size as the one planned for Cadillac Square. I wouldn't mind if the Music Hall additional theatre was redesigned using the National facade [if Gilbert wanted to donate it to them]. But I hate the ugly facade planned for the Campus Martius area.

One other thing... it looks as though the COSM experience is not limited to sports... I see other genre, such as movies, as a possibility for that venue. Just want a facade that complements the area.

Again, I'm not worried that the National facade will end up in a landfill, since Gilbert is NOT an Ilitch. But it may or may not be part of a Monroe blocks development addition.

For once you and I agree on something. Gilbert is not the Illitches. I think that Gilbert wanted to do something with the facade but had no other choice but to not use it in this development. Gilbert had brought businesses and developments to downtown Detroit while Illitch brought the sports and entertainment to the main drag which is Woodward. However. Gilbert should hold off building another office complex in the downtown. Detroiters had complained about Gilbert and gentrification downtown. Others had owned places downtown such as The National Theatre building, the Wurlitzer, the Stott, and others in the area but didn't do anything to these properties but probably used them as tax write-off. Gilbert, The Fords and others had purchased these buildings, renovated them, and brought them back to life with businesses and retail. No complaints here

**stasu1213** · November-03-24, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

His non attractable COSM complex will be Gilbert's first development folly. He needs to scrap that plan and focus more of creating tall high-scrapers, retail, restaurants and create more foot traffic and venues. Because in protest Detroiters will block and shut that place down when it opens.

Mr. Dan Gilbert if you can see my comments. Please scrap this project.

I don't think another skyscraper is needed for the Monroe Block. A building that is the same height as the Block building on the Hudson site would be a perfect size for a building on that site

**Danny** · November-03-24, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

I don't think another skyscraper is needed for the Monroe Block. A building that is the same height as the Block building on the Hudson site would be a perfect size for a building on that site

Oh! yes, we do. Along with more retail to create more foot traffic and highlights in Downtown Detroit. This is what City of Detroit DDA and N.E.Z. folks planned since 1996. Have a folly sports entertainment complex will ruin the Cadillac Square and Monroe Block. Such a project should not happen in that area. COSM should be place outside of Downtown Detroit like Corktown.

**401don** · November-03-24, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Oh! yes, we do. Along with more retail to create more foot traffic and highlights in Downtown Detroit. This is what City of Detroit DDA and N.E.Z. folks planned since 1996. Have a folly sports entertainment complex will ruin the Cadillac Square and Monroe Block. Such a project should not happen in that area. COSM should be place outside of Downtown Detroit like Corktown.

I agree that fronting Cmart isn't an ideal location for this project but it's really no different than a large movie theater on the site. Do you really think that will harm street life? Also, just how much retail do you think downtown can support? Half the spaces are empty now.

**Danny** · November-03-24, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

I agree that fronting Cmart isn't an ideal location for this project but it's really no different than a large movie theater on the site. Do you really think that will harm street life? Also, just how much retail do you think downtown can support? Half the spaces are empty now.

Gilbert is trying so hard to set his vision for future of Downtown Detroit to bring regional development and luring young professionals to fill up every last building that he bought. He and shareholders sped it up and then somehow slowed down. Today he still has some properties that need in development. And his skyscraper plan for Cadillac Square and Monroe Block never went through. Gilbert needs to knock it off of think too big to lure high end stores to Downtown Detroit. Take a few steps at a time and see what developers and future retail comes in.

As for so-call COSM entertainment complex. I say move it away from Downtown Detroit or add his future skyscraper building with fancy condos, office space and retail and add COSM in. If I was Mayor of Detroit and Gilbert and any developer put some building project that could and up a folly. I will ask the DDA to put a stop to it. and let Gilbert or some other developer follow out building zoning laws.

If Campus Martius calls for skyscrapers, retail, office space and entertainment complex, hotels and condos and apts. It was to be all in one.

Right now, Gilbert's plans for his version of 'Delta City' high scrapers is LONG DEAD! and he is settling a folly entertainment sports theater. That will FAIL like Autoworld in Flint, MI.

**Redesigned83** · November-04-24, 04:11 AM

I think this project has a chance to be really successful with the UMCI and the multiple hotels being developed as people will certainly be interested in doing things like this as tourist in town or younger people with a decent career who will likely live in the area.