Corktown Development

Unable to find a suitable location in Midtown, the Two James Spirits Company has settled on a location on Michigan Avenue in the shadow of the Michigan Central Station.  Owners Peter Bailey and David Landrum will convert a former taxi garage into a distillery and tasting room for their gin, whiskey and bourbon.

When Two James Spirits opens in early 2013, it will be the first licensed distillery in Detroit since prohibition.

Moving In

Earlier this month residents began moving into the completed Auburn development on Cass.

Next Door Neighbors

As Buffalo Wild Wings readies for its grand opening, it was revealed today that a Bagger Dave's Legendary Burgers franchise will be moving in next door.  T. Michael Ansley, president and CEO of Diversified Restaurant Holdings has announced that the company has signed a long-term lease for the restaurant to occupy the building that once housed Shaw's Grooming Center on Randolph Street.

Diversified Restaurant Holdings operates several Buffalo Wild Wings franchises in Michigan and it is the owner, operator, and franchisor of the Bagger Dave's chain.

Almost Done

Detroit's first Buffalo Wild Wings didn't meet its goal of opening in time for the Thanksgiving Day parade, but it's getting closer.

Temple of Odd Fellows

Infill

With the completion of the redeveolpment of the David Broderick Tower, the owners have finally filled the gap between the tower and the neighboring building.  The adjacent restaurant space had collapsed in 2008 and was used as a staging area during the Broderick's conversion to apartments.

Detroit 2020/Broderick Tower

WXYZ-TV

Eaton Beacon

Originally named Eaton Tower, the David Broderick Tower was fully lit for the World Series.

Line to be drawn over State Savings Bank?

Expect a new property fight in Downtown Detroit.  Andreas Apostolopoulos, the new owner of the Penobscot Building, purchased the neighboring State Savings Bank earlier this month for $700,000 with the intent on demolishing it for parking.

Apostolopoulos claims in an interview with the Detroit Free Press that:

 “Detroit needs parking, If we don’t have parking people won’t come downtown… We tried to bring some tenants downtown and the people are not coming because there is no parking.”

Yes! The one thing Downtown Detroit lacks is parking.

If the building can not be demolished, Apostolopoulos would look into maintaining the facade and incorporating it into the $20 million garage.

Fortunately, any demolition plans would face stiff opposition.  The 112 year old Beaux-Arts style bank is listed on the federal, state, and city registers of historic places.  Therefore, Apostolopoulos would have to demonstrate financial hardship and would have to try to sell the structure for a year before the city could grant permission for demolition. He could also argue that the building is blocking a major project that would benefit the community.

I would expect Preservation Detroit to get involved in this one.

Lafayette Greens

Garden Theater Revival

C. Howard Crane's 1912 Garden Theater on Woodward is receiving a $12.3 million dollar makeover. It is being renovated into a performance space with a capacity for 1,300 people. This is the third phase of the Woodward Garden Block redevelopment.

Skinned

The walls are going up on The Auburn.