Signs of new life are everywhere in Detroit’s downtown area. It is currently experiencing one of the largest urban redevelopment booms in the country. New businesses are finding homes in old buildings. From restaurants and retail to new lofts and condominiums, more young urban professionals and empty nesters continue to flock to Downtown Detroit.
It offers a quintessential city lifestyle with a small town vibe. Downtown Detroit is walkable, vibrant, and urban. Most residential places tend to be lofts, condos or apartments. They sit along Woodward and the Detroit River and elsewhere and range from a raw, artsy loft space to the very lap of luxury. Regardless, they all remain in the heart of the city.
There have been hundreds of new residential units that have become available in the recent years, and as the revitalization of downtown continues, more will become available.
Dining and Shopping
Fashion and food are big in Detroit. Mark England DeMode for European fashions, Pure Detroit for the trendiest Detroit-themed apparel and Pangborn Design for one-of-a-kind ties and more. If you’re into design, don’t miss Mezzanine in Harmonie Park, which features high-end modern furniture and accessories. Check out Oslo for sake and sushi or if you’re into salsa dancing try Vincente’s.
The Somerset City Lofts on Merchants Row brings the same upscale you’ll find at Somerset in Troy, only on a much smaller scale. About 40 Somerset Collection retailers bring mini boutiques to The Lofts the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each month with a rotation of featured retailers.
A stroll along the river on the RiverWalk is always a wonderful outing. Part of the new 31-acre Tricentennial State Park, the RiverWalk will ultimately stretch from Gabriel Richard Park near the MacArthrur (Belle Isle) Bridge to the Ambassador Bridge by Belle Isle.
Eastern Market and the wholesalers in the neighborhood are among the first stops for groceries and other necessities, but Downtown also has stores that meet these needs. The Trolley Plaza Market is open until 9 pm, and the Griswold Market nearby carries a lot of staple needs. A new grocery store opened its doors on East Lafayette, east of I-375 in June 2011. For anything else, a grocery store is about 10 minutes away – as close as most people go to in the suburbs. Whole Foods will open a store in 2013.
The number of different restaurants, however, at the Downtown resident’s disposal is enviable. From Greek to Italian to German to Cuban: Downtown has it all.
Other services that have bolstered Downtown residents’ quality of life have opened recently, too … a day spa, florists and several shops in places like the Guardian Building and Renaissance Center, which has its own movie theater.
Downtown Music
With a wealth of great venues, the music scene in this part of Detroit percolates. Both urbanites and suburban visitors regularly flock to clubs like Saint Andrew’s Hall and the Shelter, as well as the larger Fillmore (formerly the State Theatre), to see an array of local and national musicians. Before and after the show, you can grab a drink at one of the many popular new watering holes. Near the theater district, try Cliff Bell’s and the Park Bar for swanky Art Deco elegance, the Town Pump for corner bar cool, or Pulse for minimalist design. Jacoby’s, closer to Greektown, is also ideal if you’re hankering for a pint and some old-world charm complete with German sing-alongs. For a later night out, slide over to Envy or Esyleum Lounge where you can shake your groove well into the early morning hours.
Major Landmarks
Campus Martius
Downtown Detroit is home to new development and great historical spots. Highlights include:
- Campus Martius Park – Campus Martius is Latin for “Field of Mars.” Mars was the Roman God of war, so the military training ground, both in ancient Rome and here in Detroit was called Campus Martius. The Point of Origin for the City of Detroit is located in Campus Martius Park. If you’ve ever wondered where 8 Mile Road is 8 miles from, the answer is the center of Campus Martius Park. The award-winning Campus Martius Park, one of the best urban parks in the country, is the result of a public/private sector partnership between the City of Detroit and the Detroit 300 Conservancy. It has quickly become an extraordinary public space where residents, workers and visitors come together to relax, enjoy, play and celebrate Detroit. There’s skating in the winter, concerts in the summer and games such as bocce ball, chess, checkers, backgammon, table tennis and bean bag and washer toss. The Fountain Bistro is also not to be missed.
- RiverFront – Detroit boasts nearly 14 miles of frontage along the Detroit River, 5 1/2 miles of which are the focus of massive development investment. The Detroit International RiverWalk will span 5 ½ miles of riverfront, from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge. Currently, 2 ½ miles of East Riverfront is complete and open to the public. Ultimately, the entire stretch will include a continuous walk with green spaces, children’s playscapes, art fairs, outdoor dining, fishing areas, historical markers, and awe-inspiring views of Belle Isle, Windsor (Canada), and the occasional ocean freighter. Much of the East Riverfront between the Renaissance Center and Belle Isle is open to the public. The West Riverfront improvements are progressing and now include a new Port Authority and Public Dock, providing a gateway to the region for cruise ships passengers from around the world
- Guardian Building — A skyscraper at 500 Griswold Street, the Guardian is a Class-A office building. Built in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building was is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including Art Moderne designs. At the top of the Guardian Building’s spire is a large American Flag, complementing the four smaller flags atop nearby 150 West Jefferson. The building has undergone recent award-winning renovations and was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989. It is part of the Detroit Financial District. The Guardian building includes retail and a tourist gift shop.
- Hart Plaza — Named in honor of Senator Philip A. Hart, the riverfront plaza is the site of many of Detroit’s most popular events. It features several amphitheaters, an ice skating rink and public art works. Lying immediately south of the intersection of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, Hart Plaza is a long time city riverfront destination and venue for a host of summer festivals and concerts. The 14 acre plaza opened in 1975 and has a capacity of 40,000 people. At the center of the plaza is the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain, designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1978.
- Greektown– Historic Greektown is located just northeast of the heart of Downtown, along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine Streets. A strong retail district it is dominated by Greek-themed restaurants and is also home to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Second Baptist Church, the Athenium Suite Hotel, and the Greektown Casino Hotel. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
- The Second Baptist Church/Underground Railroad — The Second Baptist Church was built in 1914 and features subdued Gothic elements. It continues to house Michigan’s first African American congregation. The congregation was established in 1836 when 13 former slaves decided to leave the First Baptist Church because of its discriminatory practices. Just miles away from the freedom that the Canadian border offered to escaped slaves, the church soon became a stop on the Underground Railroad. Its leaders helped form the Amherstburg Baptist Association and the Canadian Anti-Slavery Baptist Association, both of which supported abolitionism. These organizations aided the ever-increasing number of fugitive slaves fleeing north, both spiritually and materially. Significant figures in the abolitionist movement were associated with the church, such as Soujourner Truth, John Brown, and Frederick Douglass. Douglass discussed abolition with Second Baptist leaders before addressing citizens at the church 1859.
- Theater District — The Theater District Detroit Michigan is second only to New York’s Broadway District for the number of theaters. A number of performing arts venues can be found in the Theater District Detroit Michigan which encompasses an area along Woodward Avenue ranging from just north of downtown to the New Center area near Woodward and Grand Boulevard. With the Fox Theater being the centerpiece of Detroit’s Theater District, there are many other beautiful and historic theaters that make this a vibrant cultural area. The Fox Theater’s ornate and opulent interior harkens back to its heyday in the 1930′s. Yet, today it is still a prime venue for musical concerts and other performances. Theater District Detroit Michigan is also home to the Detroit Opera House, the Fisher Theater, Michigan Opera Theater, the Gem and Century Theater, The Fillmore Detroit, and numerous other theaters. The Detroit Masonic Temple Theatre is a neo-Gothic theater that seats over four thousand. Listed on the National Historic Register, this limestone structure strikes an imposing presence in Detroit Theater District. Other smaller theaters such as Detroit Film Theater and the Hilberry Theatre are also in the district. In addition to the cultural aspect of the Theater District Detroit Michigan, a resurgence of restaurants, hotels, and sporting venues near this area make it a popular destination. The Motor City Casino, Comerica Park, and Ford Field are all located near the Theater District. With its location near Wayne State University and downtown Detroit, Theater District Detroit Michigan is a prime spot for theater and cultural activities in Detroit.
- The New Paradise Valley District — The Detroit Development Authority, the City of Detroit, University of Detroit-Mercy, area businesses and property owners invested an estimated $17 million redeveloping the area around Harmonie Park. The vision is to use African-American cultural influences to honor the legacy of Paradise Valley, with an appeal that crosses cultures in its composition of commercial, retail, entertainment, educational and cultural offerings.
Development and Sustainability
The past few years have seen a renaissance in renovation of the Downtown area. The David Broderick Tower, David Whitney Tower, Iodent Building, Elliott Building and 1001 Woodward all have planned rehabs or have already started construction. The Book Cadillac Hotel is a finished $200 million renovation, restoring the building to its original splendor.
Several businesses have either moved their headquarters Downtown or have brought more employees Downtown. They include large companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Compuware, DTE Energy, General Motors, Quicken Loans, Strategic Staffing Solutions, as well as many small entrepreneurs.
Culture and Entertainment
There is always something to do in Downtown Detroit. The theater district has more than 13,000 seats. There are three pro sports teams, three casinos and the RiverWalk, which has bike paths, a carousel, fountains, a marina, and parks. Hop on the People Mover and explore the city. There are bike rentals, Broadway musicals and plays, local, national and international music, a professional opera theater and more.
If you’re a sports fan, take in a game at Comerica Park, Ford Field or Joe Louis Arena – all are just minutes away from each other. There are also plenty of sports-themed dining options to accompany your sporting spirit. Try Hockeytown Cafe, Cheli’s Chili Bar or the historic Ellwood Grill. Of course, veteran sports fans will make the pilgrimage to American or Lafayette Coney Island, establishments that both lay claim to inventing Detroit’s semi-official food: the Coney.
