These 10 Detroit businesses showcase the best in new commerce design

What drives visitors and shoppers to a new business? And how can design in commerce enhance a neighborhood?

As part of Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation, Commerce Design: Detroit—modeled after a similar contest in Montreal—is now in its final stages. Ten winners were announced Thursday evening at an awards presentation, and now the people can vote for their favorite.

The winners represent a range of businesses and neighborhoods, from a coffeeshop/laundromat in Islandview, to an award-winning hotel that transformed from the old Fire Department Headquarters, to a fragrance shop and cocktail bar in the basement of a mansion in Midtown.

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Commerce Design: Detroit “aims to recognize the role of design in increasing competitiveness of local businesses, spur work by local designers and architects, and preserve the unique local identity of Detroit’s neighborhoods.” Run by Design Core Detroit and AIA Detroit, 37 businesses were nominated by owners and/or designers. The competition was then narrowed down to 18, with the ten winners awarded Thursday. Eligible businesses had to have opened in the last five years.

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

“The jurors for Commerce Design: Detroit chose businesses that celebrate the impact of commercial design in neighborhood businesses. Regardless of project size or budget, the winners exemplify everything we had hoped for when bringing this program to Detroit,” said Olga Stella, executive director of Design Core Detroit.

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Jurors included Elliott Broom, general manager of the forthcoming Shinola Hotel; Sylvie Champeau, project manager of Bureau du Design in Montreal; Najahyia Chinchilla, co-studio director of Workplace at Gensler; and Sandra Olave, chair, interior design department, College for Creative Studies. The jurors visited the sites to learn more about the design process, how the businesses complement their neighborhoods, and how the businesses create a sense of space.

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Courtesy of Design Core Detroit

Anyone can vote for the People’s Choice winner here through November 11. As part of its monthly Drinks x Design events, Design Core Detroit will host a special bus tour December 1; more details will be provided in the coming weeks.