5 New Detroit Developments Already This Week – August 23, 2016

Posted on August 25, 2016

Detroit’s progress seems to never stop. There simply is so much going on that it might be hard to follow. After all, Facebook and your feeds are a sea of things clamoring for your attention, and it’s easy to miss stuff. We’ve found the best for you.

 

So let’s round it up.

 

1. Take a look Inside The Royce – Eater has a great look inside the new The Royce Wine Bar. 

Rutherford grew up in Michigan and The Royce’s name is a reference to her grandfather, a respected Flint-based detective sergeant. Working with BWArchitects, Rutherford and Ho attempted to develop a space that reflect both industrial and deco aspects of Detroit’s design past.

2. Warby Parker is coming to town at some point in the indeterminate future, first-reports the Freep.

The New York City-based company was issued a building permit last week for renovations to the ground-floor of 1449 Woodward. This retail space is between the Woodhouse Day Spa and the newly opened Kit + Ace store.

3. Word is on the east side that plans are beginning to come together for a $8 million renovation of a historic and storied ballroom from Detroit’s past, the Vanity.

It’s in rough shape. Josh Elling, director of the nonprofit civic group Jefferson East Inc. who is leading the renovation effort, showed me around the other day. Scrappers have been working, the ceiling is open to the sky, debris litters the floor everywhere. But it’s still possible to glimpse the former glory in the remains of Aztec decorations.

“Structurally the building is still sound but we’ve got to put a roof on it,” Elling said. “All told to bring that building back is about an $8 -million project.”

Bonus – Read the whole history of the place on Historic Detroit.

4. There’s no word on the fate of Goodwell’s Market, but it’s clear that Alley Taco is moving into the space. They’re keeping their space in the nearby Marcus Market, as well.

Frenkel confirms that the location will offer a more sit-down style atmosphere than the market counter, which he plans to keep open.

5. U of D Jesuit has opened up a $16 million STEM center. More details here.

The new $16 million STEM center, which opened today, is the first and only high school facility of its kind in Detroit. It represents the largest dollar investment in science and technology at any Michigan high school in recent years and was privately funded by the school’s alumni, parents and friends.

The four-level, 40,000-square-foot STEM center doubles the space for biology, chemistry, and physics programs and provides labs for engineering and for the school’s nationally recognized eco-car and robotics programs.