Long-vacant building in Downtown Chelsea to be redeveloped into apartments

Building was opened in 1909

Renovation of historic building will bring new housing, vibrancy to downtown Chelsea (WDIV)

A historic building in Downtown Chelsea that has been vacant for years is getting a new lease on life.

Chelsea Rockwell, a development company and the namesake of the building, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program to redevelop the three-story building into 51 market-rate apartments.

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The Chelsea Rockwell building was built in 1909, and operated as a stove manufacturing warehouse and was used over the decades for other industrial uses. It has sat vacant for years.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.8 million, according to a press release. Additional funding has been awarded to the city, and Washtenaw County for the development.

“The city of Chelsea is excited to learn about the $1.5 million MCRP Performance-based Grant Award awarded to the Chelsea Rockwell project,” said Chelsea City Manager Roy Atkinson. “This project will renovate a long-time vacant former industrial building into 51 residential rental units, activate over 43,000 square feet of space in downtown Chelsea and result in a total capital investment of over $8.8 million. The city and the community are looking forward to this project!”


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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.