Detroit hotels
The renovation of Paradise Valley into a cultural and entertainment district in Detroit may take a few years, but plans include a jazz club, the expansion of Detroit Seafood Market, an additional restaurant, luxury and affordable housing, added parking and – perhaps most notably - a new boutique hotel – the Harmonie Club Hotel – coming to 311 E. Grand River Ave.
The corner of Woodward Avenue and Grand River will soon be home to the Shinola Hotel. Shinola and Dan Gilbert's Bedrock are developing a 130-room hotel in the 62,000-square-foot building that will include retail, a restaurant and a living room space, along with plans to activate its outside alley. Food and beverage experts like Noho Hospitality Group and Gachot Studios are collaborating with Shinola, promising this will be something to behold.
West Elm Hotel selected Detroit as one of five U.S. locations in which to house its boutique hotel. The 135-room property will be situated at the northeast corner of Cass and Canfield in Detroit's Midtown. Set to open in 2018, this new lodging option will celebrate the work of local artists, focus on locally-sourced dining options and aim to create community connections for guests.
Detroit Sports & Entertainment
Driving along Woodward Avenue downtown, it's hard not to be awed by the changing face of Detroit.
Among the largest sports and entertainment developments of its kind in the country, District Detroit will change the face of 50 city blocks to create a new, walkable destination in the city. At the heart of it all is Little Caesars Arena. It will be home to both the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons. More than 900 employees are onsite daily - making sure the project stays on course.
District Detroit will ultimately unite six theaters, five neighborhoods and three sports venues, while fostering new additions in dining, entertainment and recreational space. It will account for an economic impact of more than $2 billion by 2020 and create 12,500 construction and construction-related jobs and 1,100 permanent jobs, according to Saenz.
Follow the progress live on camera: districtdetroit.com/live-web-cam.
All part of the project, concrete has been poured for the foundation of the Little Caesar's new headquarters and steel structures are set to be erected on the site. Meanwhile, the Mike Illitch School of Business at Wayne State University is already in progress. Nine active construction projects in total are in full swing for District Detroit, including parking lot enhancements, an additional garage and retail and residential properties.
Meanwhile DTE broke ground on a new park at Grand River and Cass Avenue in Detroit. The 1.5-acre lot, inspired by a Boston-based green space, is set to house a vast green lawn for recreational use, a year-round restaurant, a movable music stage and more. It's all in progress and due to open in the summer of 2017.
Detroiters are anticipating a coming announcement on restaurateurs who will debut in the space, too. "We see this as an opportunity to create connectivity in an area of the city that has 'lived on an island' for decades," said Gerry Anderson, DTE Energy chairman and CEO.
A $5 million project to renovate Detroit's Avenue of Fashion is now underway. Businessman Matt Hessler is renovating 10,000-square-feet at Cass Avenue and Peterboro. Expect retail stores, restaurants and housing - with apartments ranging from 600 to 1,000-square-feet suitable for nearby University of Detroit Mercy students. The planned new businesses are expected to open this year.
Getting around
Detroit's M-1 Rail construction continues in 2017. Track installation has been completed and the public has taken a first glimpse of its streetcars on the move, as well as more than 20 planned streetcar stations.
The 3.3 miles of one-way track will share the road with vehicles when the QLine is fully in place. The trains are expected to travel at 35 miles per hour. In case you missed it, here's the video.
The QLine's modern shelters will signify the world-class transportation. Each 98-by-12 foot glass and concrete station will feature individual custom Pewabic Pottery tile. Passenger service is expected to begin this spring.
A construction map and construction schedule are available online, along with alternate routes to assist with travel. The QLine is set to open for service on May 12.
Detroit living
Looking to call Detroit home? More options are on the way.
City Modern will now include more than 400 units in Brush Park. Construction began in late 2016 on the 8.4 acre site but we can't wait to see plans come to life as homes, modern apartments, carriage houses and duplettes, surrounded by walkable pocket parks and accessible by QLine.
Orleans Landing has broken ground on an empty patch of land on Detroit's Riverfront along Atwater. The 300-unit residential property will feature apartments and townhomes, as well as retail space. It will be located next to the Outdoor Adventure Center and Dequindre Cut bike path. For more visit hamilton-anderson.com/orleans-landing.html.
Shinola has moved beyond a brand into a complete lifestyle. Shinola is planning to open a café and production space as part of a larger Midtown Detroit Inc. redevelopment of a 35,000-square-foot space along Selden Street in Midtown. Creating an Innovation Corridor, the plans include up to 20 new apartments, restaurant, retail and film production space.
The Detroit Police Athletic League headquarters will sit on the southwest corner of the Old Tiger Stadium site at Michigan Avenue and Cochrane in Corktown. Adjacent to the sports-friendly spot, The Corner, will house 105 apartments, 35 townhouses and 35,000-square-feet of retail space later this year.
Check back at visitdetroit.com for updates on Detroit's growth and visitor experience.
