Players like Cordish and Kid Rock are drawn to Woodward Square developing unique dining experiences that straddle the edge of the Little Caesars Arena, serving guest on both game days and non-game days. Image: District Detroit
Few cities have had rougher times of late than Detroit, with auto industry changes and the recession of 2008 the city became a ghost town. Lucky for Detroit it had a guardian angel in the form of Mike Ilitch who in 2014 announced an investment of at least $200 million into Detroit to create a new mixed-use development named
District Detroit. The new construction will encompass 50 blocks and act as a connector between all of Detroit’s major sports and entertainment venues. Mike Ilitch founder of Little Caesar’s Pizza and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers has been doing business in Detroit for 50 years and although he passed away in February of 2017 he leaves behind a legacy that accomplishes his lifelong dream, “…to see a vibrant and energized downtown Detroit”.
This is a unique time to invest in this vision, ICSC states in “What’s Motivating National Retailers to Invest in Detroit?” that experts are noticing a trend of Millennials and Baby Boomers driving back into urban centers. They are looking for the exact amenities District Detroit is providing: entertainment, community engagement, and a more walkable neighborhood. District Detroit is betting that these experts are correct and that this development will be just the beginning Detroit’s new downtown scene.
The new construction will encompass 50 blocks and act as a connector between all of Detroit’s major sports and entertainment venues. Image: District Detroit
District Detroit makes Detroit the first city to have all major sports teams within walking distance of one another and retail and food business see opportunity. The development has created five unique neighborhoods. Players like Cordish and Kid Rock are drawn to Woodward Square developing unique dining experiences that straddle the edge of the Little Caesars Arena, serving guest on both game days and non-game days. Columbia Street is designed to feel like a small town main street and will host a variety of unique shopping experiences. A break from the industrial will be Columbia Park an urban green space concept. The excitement of tailgating can be found in Wildcat Corner which encompasses Comerica Park and Ford Field. The fifth neighborhood, Cass Park Village, is designed to become a haven for and local vendors within a tight-knit community. These distinct neighborhoods offer District Detroit the advantage.
While the success of the development remains to be seen, the future looks bright. This redevelopment focused on creating destination experiences for everyone from sports fanatics to artists which ensures a large customer base. The designers including HOK, FRCH, Knauer Inc., and many others focused on a goal of preserving the remaining historic architectural landmarks while still creating a modern feel for the area. This development will hopefully be the catalyst for Detroit’s comeback.