Science Center Breaks Ground on New Addition

The Detroit Science Center, in collaboration with The Thompson Educational Foundation (TEF), broke ground last week on an 80,000 square-foot addition to the museum. The addition will house University Prep Science & Math Middle School, a public charter school that will serve 486 students, as well as a new museum lobby, cafe, gift shop and group welcome center.

The partnership between the Detroit Science Center and University Prep Science & Math (UPSM) will provide a unique opportunity for students and teachers to combine classroom learning with hands-on exhibits, dynamic theater shows and in-depth museum programs on a daily basis. UPSM plans to open a high school at another location in 2010.

The TEF is funding the $15 million middle school construction project and will lease the building to UPSM for $1 per year under an agreement that requires the charter school system to graduate no fewer than 90 percent of its students and send no fewer than 90 percent on to college.

"Our goal at the Detroit Science Center is to inspire children to get excited about engineering, technology and science and to encourage them to pursue careers in those fields. It's a natural step in the evolution of the Detroit Science Center to be affiliated with a school where we can not only inspire these children on a daily basis, but see them apply that inspiration back in the classroom," said Kevin F. Prihod, President & CEO of the Detroit Science Center.

Construction on the new addition is starting this month with a spring 2009 opening. It will be located on the north side of the Science Center building in an area formerly utilized for parking. The architect is Gunn Levine. The general contractor is DeMaria. Both companies are based in Detroit.

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Watermark Offers High-End Living on the Detroit Riverfront

A few weeks ago, I took a few minutes out of my day to check out The Watermark Detroit sales office in downtown Detroit.

All I can say is: wow. Dave Bing et al spared no expense on the Watermark model, which aims to give prospective buyers a taste of what life at this luxurious, $60 million waterfront community would be like.

Featuring cool touch-screen computers that allow you to play around with different floor plans, plus a beautifully-decorated, life-size condominium unit, The Watermark Welcome Center and Luxe Model, as its being called, is worth a visit even if you are only entertaining a possible move to Detroit's ever-transforming riverfront.

And transformed is what it will be when this project comes to fruition. Featuring 112 luxury condominiums ranging from 1,388 - 3,600+ square feet, the Watermark is set to take the east riverfront to a whole new level.

A gated community located just steps from the Detroit RiverWalk, the Watermark Detroit features 34 unique floor plans based on three main home styles: the nine-story contemporary Tower Residences, which offer a metropolitan feel with spectacular river views; the Marina Homes, which feature patios overlooking Tri-Centennial State Park, and are designed to be reminiscent of sea-side homes; and the City Homes, along Atwater Street, characterized by urban design and private garages.

All homes will have dramatic viewing terraces or patios, open floor plans and state-of-the-art gourmet kitchens. Modern design is echoed in every detail, from glass-enclosed showers to floor-to-ceiling windows. Units start at $300,000 and run upwards of $1 million.

The expected completion date of Detroit's newest and most luxurious residential riverfront project is the fall of 2009.

Welcome Center hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm, Saturday 11 am-3pm, and Sunday and Monday by appointment. The site is located at 2122 Atwater Street in Detroit, between Chene Park and Tri-Centennial State Park Marina.

For more information, visit The Watermark Detroit on the Web or call 313.852.7000.

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Lafer Building Reopens

Following a $5 million renovation by Mercier Development, Detroit's Lafer Building has reopened.

Located on Broadway, the Lafer Building features 16 loft-style apartments featuring granite countertops, polished concrete floors and maple cabinets.

The two-bedroom units range from 1500 to 1800 square feet. Rent will range from $1,250 for two-bedroom/one bath units to $2,000+ for penthouse units.

Built in 1916, the building once housed Lafer Brothers Grocery.

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$150 million Downtown Detroit Project Planned

If you missed yesterday's Free Press, then you missed this exclusive John Gallagher article about the planned $150 million residential, retail and entertainment project planned for downtown Detroit. 

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and developers will announce details about the monumental project, known as Cadillac Centre, on Wednesday at 11 am.

According to the article, Cadillac Centre would include "two, 24-story apartment towers connected by a 12-story link that will house a six-screen movie theater, health club and spa, restaurants and stores." 

The project, slated to break ground in 2009, would be located on a surface lot on Monroe Block near Compuware and Campus Martius Park.

If the project is seen through to completion, it would contain 84 apartments, a 30,000-square-foot market, 125,000 square feet of retail space, a 40,000-square-foot public park and 800 parking spaces.

And it will also be green -- topped off with a "22,000-square-foot so-called living roof that would collect and filter rain water and help control energy consumption." 

Privately-held, New York-based real estate firm-Northern Group Inc. would build Cadillac Centre and own it. Northern Group is best known around Detroit as the owner of the Penobscot, First National and Cadillac Tower buildings.

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Studio One Apartments going up in Midtown

Finally -- Detroit is getting some new apartments.

One hundred and twenty-four new ones, to be exact.

Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled with all the condo developments in the Motor City recently. But it's nice to have some diversity. And that's exactly what Studio One Apartments - the first market-rate, new construction apartment building in Detroit in 30 years - brings to the city.

Recently, Girl in the D spent some time with Marcel D. P. Burgler of Grand Rapids-based Prime Development, to discuss Studio One, which is currently under construction on Woodward Avenue between Canfield and Forest. Here's the low-down on the building going up at the site of the former Vernors bottling plant:

- Five-story building: Ground-floor retail and four stories of apartments;
- Apartments range from 650 to 1008 square feet;
- Rental prices from $870 to $1,395 per month;
- Units include individual furnace, air condititioner and washer and dryer;
- Six floor plans to choose from;
- All units include one or two balconies and 10-foot living room ceilings;
- Floor-to-ceiling windows in every unit;
- Kitchens with granite countertops;

Cool extras available to Studio One-dwellers include access to an on-site fitness center for $15 per month, preferred cable and high-speed Internet for $49 per month, and a $65 parking spot per car per month in the Wayne State University (WSU) parking structure that will connect to Studio One Apartments via a third-floor crosswalk.

Burgler points out that along with the amenities of the units and building, Studio One is in a prime Midtown location.

And he's right.

The building, which has already locked-in tenant Fifth/Third Bank, is across the street from MOCAD, a few blocks from the Detroit Artists Market, and within walking distance of Midtown's cultural heavy-hitters, which include the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library-Main Branch, Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit Historical Museum, Children's Museum, Detroit Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Scarab Club, and WSU's Bonstelle Theatre. The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is also nearby.

It's really city living," says Burgler, who notes that the building's commercial space will be completed in April 2008, while the apartments are slated for June 1, 2008.

Though Studio One is just steps from WSU's campus, Burgler wants prospective renters to know that Studio One is not student housing. What kind of people is Studio One attracting?

"So far, interest has come from a mix of young professionals, age 22 to 29, and empty-nesters," Burgler says. "Grad students, medical professionals from the DMC (Detroit Medical Center) and others."

Interested in finding out more about this $21 million apartment building? Stop into Studio One's sales center on Cass and Canfield between 10 am and 5 pm from Monday - Friday, or contact leasing manager-Billie Mason-Smith by email or at (313) 316-0824 to schedule a Saturday or Sunday appointment.


Studio One Apartments is part of WSU's $35 million South University Village. Phase One of the project includes the construction of Studio One Apartments and Wayne State’s 950-space parking deck. Phase Two could result in more apartments, or new condominiums, depending on the market conditions.

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Young, hot Detroit

If you haven't been to the new $800 million MGM Grand Casino in Detroit yet, I've got the perfect opportunity for you to check it out. This Thursday, November 29, New Far East Side Development is hosting Young, Hot Detroit at MGM's Ignite Lounge.

What's Young, Hot Detroit, you ask? Your chance to cross cultural and industry lines and meet people from all around Detroit and metro Detroit. And who's a young, hot Detroiter? New Far East Side describes this person as "the driven individual who knows that their possibility and worth is limitless. Every age, race, creed and color. Successful or on the path to success. Enjoys the finer things in life. Socially Savvy. Highly Motivated. A nightlife connoisseur."

Along with hobnobbing with a mishmash of 20- to 50-year-olds, Young, Hot Detroit attendees have the opportunity to scope out Detroit's hottest new casino and win giveaways and goodies. Admission is free, as is valet.

The event is open to the public and runs from 5 to 9 pm. A toast to Detroit happens at 7 sharp.

About New Far East Side Development
New Far East Side Development Company LLC was formed in 2004 in response to an RFP issued by the city of Detroit to redevelop 1200 acres in the City’s Far Eastside.

A partnership between U-SNAP-BAC and Phoenix Group, two local developers, and CityView and Kimball Hill Homes, two national developers, the team has entered into a Master Developer Agreement with the city of Detroit to master plan 1200 acres and develop 700 on Detroit’s Far Eastside.

The city of Detroit has identified the development of the Far East Side as a priority project and has committed $13.8 million for infrastructure costs in Fox Creek, the name given to the first 140 acres of the 700 acre area being developed.

Fox Creek will be located on Detroit’s Far Eastside, roughly between Kercheval, Eastlawn, Jefferson Avenue and Alter Road (the red area on the above map).

The current development plan calls for the sale of 658 home sites for the development of for-sale single-family, condominium, duplex and multi-family building homes.

For more information on this exciting residential development project, contact New Far East Side Development Company at (313) 331-4784.

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Antique chairs and sideboards and tubs -- oh my!

Gail Geer appreciates the unique architectural elements that characterize many of Detroit's older homes and buildings - and she knows that other people in the area do, too.

So when she and members of her development company, Renevatio, realized they couldn't reincorporate all of the original features inside the El Moore, their current restoration project, Geer came up with an idea: hold an auction.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 28 from 1 to 3 pm, the auction will feature a number of items from 1890 - 1920, including solid oak paneling and doors; claw foot tubs; oak fireplace mantles; sideboards; mirrors and more. Photos and measurements of some of the pieces up for grabs can be viewed here, but other items -- wrought iron fencing, radiators, hardware and fireplaces -- are being kept under wraps until auction day.

Besides being a cool event for local antiques-lovers, proceeds from Renevatio's auction will benefit Affirmations and Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, two local non-profit organizations.

Interested in attending? Prospective bidders should arrive at the El Moore Condominiums located at 624 Alexandrine in Detroit's Midtown area (Google map) by 1 pm to preview items; the auction begins at 1:30. No RSVP is required, and the auction is open to the public.

Need more information? Click here or call 248.398.7105, extension 27.

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Ground broken on massive Gardenview Estates project in Northwest Detroit

If you live near the former Herman Gardens site in Northwest Detroit, take a good long look at it the next time you pass by - the barren 139 acres you're used to seeing is about to get a major makeover.

Last month, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Assistant HUD Secretary-Orlando Cabrera and the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) broke ground on the area, which is being developed into a 920-residence community called Gardenview Estates.

The development, which is set to include single-family homes, lofts, condominiums and townhouses, will include market-rate housing (a mix of rentals and residential sales).

The new community will also be home to Detroit's new NFL Youth Education Town - a 35,000 square foot facility scheduled to open in May 2007. New retail and green spaces are also likely in the future Gardenview Estates neighborhood.

Infrastructure installation - new lighting, roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems - is currently underway. Construction on the first phase of the housing of Gardenview Estates is set to begin this summer. Overall, the projected investment of the project tops $227 million.

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Three more Detroit development projects move forward

New developments in Detroit continue, thanks to some state tax incentives:

*On October 17, Governor Granholm announced that Central Brush Park LLC and 3100 Woodward LLC will move forward on two related developments in Detroit's historic Brush Park neighborhood, which is located between I-75, Mack Avenue, Woodward Avenue and Brush.

The dual development project, which calls for 347 new housing units and commercial and retail space, was approved for state and local tax captures valued at $7.2 million, and a brownfield Single Business Tax (SBT) credit valued at $10 million, by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The developers will invest $112 million of their own money.

*Plans to redevelop the historic Savarine Hotel in Detroit into 118 market-rate apartments will also move forward, thanks to the MEDC's recent approval of $277,270 in tax credits for the $2.78- million project.

Built in 1926, the Savarine Hotel was a luxury, 524-room hotel in its heydey.

More recently, the historic structure served as a 158-unit, low-income apartment building; it fell into disrepair in 2004.

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