New building on old Hudson's site would be Detroit's tallest

Building would be 52 stories, 734 feet high

DETROIT – Details about the proposal for a skyscraper on the former Hudson’s site were announced during a meeting with the Downtown Development Authority Wednesday afternoon.

“For long-time Detroiters, we remember what Hudson’s represented. It wasn’t just a department store – it was the economic engine of Detroit. It drew residents and visitors downtown, where they spent a day shopping at Hudson’s and visiting the retail, restaurants and theaters around it,” says Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans and founding partner of Bedrock.

“Our goal is to create a development that exceeds the economic and experiential impact even Hudson’s had on the city. We believe this project is so unique that it can help put Detroit back on the national – and even global – map for world-class architecture, talent attraction, technology innovation and job creation.”

Here's more info from Bedrock:

The plans for the new, 52-story, 734-foot transformational development will make it the tallest building in the city. The nine-story podium and residential tower that rises from the podium will total 1.2 million gross square feet and will offer 700 parking spaces underneath the structure. The development will be among the largest construction projects in Detroit in decades and will anchor Woodward Avenue making it the economic engine of the city once again.

Transformational developments, like Hudson’s, often serve as catalysts for an entire city and region. They attract visitors; create thousands of jobs; are magnets for talent, business and investment; and create a positive ripple effect on the area around them resulting in significant economic impact for the city and its residents.
An economic impact study from New York based WSP-Parsons Brinkerhoff estimates the Hudson’s development, which is projected to attract three million unique visitors per year, will:

•       Create more than 5,800 direct and indirect jobs and $1.5 billion in new economic output during the construction of the project

•       Generate $230 million in direct annual spending and support 3,000 direct jobs once the project is completed

•       Generate $560 million per year in economic output, or nearly $6 billion in total economic output over 10 years

The proposed 52-story building is estimated to include:

•       250 residential units totaling 441,500 gross square feet

•       A nine-story podium comprised of 733,823 gross square feet of mixed use, commercial, office, technology, arts and culture space

•       Three stories below grade featuring additional commercial space on one level with 700 parking spaces on the other two levels

These videos show only ideas. New Hudson's Building is likely to look a little different when finished in 2020. pic.twitter.com/9rcJggX1eS

— Rod Meloni (@RodMeloni) February 22, 2017

Here is the video of the renderings for three New Hudson's Building. pic.twitter.com/W2So8Ydk03

— Rod Meloni (@RodMeloni) February 22, 2017

Other recent developments: 

January 2017: New $7.5 million development planned for Detroit's New Center

January 2017: The Detroit Fitness Foundation announced a new world-class cycling velodrome to be built.

December 2016: Wayne State University’s Board of Directors approved the sale of the Albert Kahn-designed building at 6001 Cass Ave. to The Platform, a Detroit-based real estate development company, for $2 million.  

A total of 181 residential units are also planned for this property — which borders Antoinette Street, Cass Avenue and York Street — including approximately 64 apartment units and 48 condo units.

December 2016: New, affordable housing plans were announced in Midtown.

November 2016: Bedrock’s City Modern residential development broke ground, bringing 410 contemporary units to the historic Brush Park neighborhood.

7 historic homes, 43 town homes, 64 carriage homes, 36 duplettes, and 260 Flats will serve as the innovative link between Downtown and Midtown by establishing a sustainable, walkable, environment for a diverse community by 2018.

November 2016: It was announced that Detroit's North Corktown neighborhood would begin construction on new homes in the spring. 

November 2016: Dan Gilbert's Bedrock unveiled their proposed plan for a new development on Monroe, between Greektown and Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit.

The high-rise office building would be the first new high-rise in Detroit since 2003, when One Campus Martius was built.

September 2016: The city of Detroit Downtown Development Authority approved development agreements for the $150 million Little Caesars World Headquarters Campus Expansion and the $24.4 million first phase of a mixed-use building on Henry Street.

September 2016: the city of Detroit released its ambitious plan to transform the old Brewster projects just west of I-75. The plans for one of the most critical housing developments in Detroit are significantly larger than originally discussed.

September 2016: Downtown Detroit's first stand alone luxury condominium project in 20 years is set to launch next door to Local 4's newsroom.

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About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.