Related Cos. JV Unveils Mixed-Use Project Design

Related Cos. and Olympia Development of Michigan have offered a first look at their vision for The District Detroit, a mixed-use project in downtown Detroit.

The future development will include the Detroit Center of Innovation, which was launched in November 2019. More than two years later, the firms have put out renderings that show the conceptual design of the entire project that includes residential, green spaces, commercial office space, retail and restaurant uses.

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According to the partnership, the DCI will be anchored by the University of Michigan and its $250 million, 200,000-square-foot research and education center. The DCI will also include a technology incubator, housing and green space, and provide a pathway for students from the city’s public schools.

The renderings show a conceptual commercial development along Columbia Street, a hotel on Henry Street, a residential corridor along Park Avenue, and new parks and green spaces over the I-75. The project is planning to preserve or reuse existing historic buildings, along with building new office space and restaurant and retail amenities. According to the firms, the design is meant to spur development in the city and benefit the community, while also attracting global office tenants to Detroit.

Incorporating community feedback

Christopher Ilitch, president & CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc., the parent company of Olympia Development of Michigan, said in prepared remarks that the project will be guided by the feedback received from the community. The partnership is planning to actively engage with community stakeholders to gather feedback for the design of The District Detroit.

Besides the DCI at The District Detroit, Olympia Development of Michigan has additional projects in the city. Along with several residential projects, the firm is currently working on the new and recently renovated commercial office space at the Little Caesars world headquarters building at 2715 Woodward Ave. and the Women’s City Club. The two firms have also already identified new opportunities for future developments in the area.