The J.L. Hudson Site Transformation

If you have roots in the Motor City, you are familiar with J.L. Hudson’s as Detroit’s premier retailer spanning back to 1891. But, just like many other large business entities in Detroit’s past, J.L. Hudson’s suffered from the city’s rocky past in the 1970’s. After finally closing its doors in 1983, the vacant building was demolished in 1998, leaving a large vacant 2 acre space that still exists today on the corner of Woodward and Grand River.

Fast forward to 2013 where the local and state-wide economy is enjoying a steady resurgence, Rock Ventures and Bedrock Detroit hosts an international urban development competition called “Redesigning Detroit: A New Visions for an Iconic Site”. Participants from all over the state, and world contributed their visions for redesigning and building on the vacant 92,421 square foot space where the J.L. Hudson’s building used to call home. The competition was a huge success, yielding three award winning ideas that, in turn, have now evolved into a 52-story 1.2 million gross square foot project that will host a variety of innovative residential, commercial, technology, cultural, retail, and food & and beverage spaces.

The New York-based SHoP architecture firm is teaming with Detroit-based architects Hamilton Anderson Associates to spearhead the planning and development of the project. Their primary focus is to transform the space into a diverse economical center that attracts visitors and investors worldwide.    This is particularly great news for those involved in the Detroit real estate market.  With the mass injection of jobs and economic output from the project, it serves as a direct domino effect that positively impacts Detroit, and the Southeastern Michigan economy.  Strategy Properties is excited to provide local, interstate, and international real estate investors abroad the opportunity to prosper in the flourishing Detroit real estate market.

Key metrics about the development plan:

– 52 stories / 734 feet tall

– 1.2 Million square feet

– 700 parking spaces

– 250 residential units

– More than 5,800 direct and indirect jobs

– $1.5 Billion in new economic output during the construction phase

– $230 Million in direct annual spending and support 3,000 permanent direct jobs once the project is completed

– Generate nearly $6 Billion in total economic output within the first 10 years

As the planning and excitement continues to build, Bedrock and all associated developers plan to break ground as soon as December 1st, 2017.

Sources:

(Story: HudsonDetroit.com, “Hudson’s Site Development”)

(Photo Credits: SHoP Architects PC)