Retail promenade planned this summer near Fox Theatre

When Olympia Development announced the construction of the Little Caesars World Headquarters at Woodward and Columbia a couple years ago, part of the plan was always to create a restaurant and retail destination on Columbia Street. It looks as if those plans are coming along.

Olympia announced that a “European-style promenade boasting Cobblestone paving, festoon lights and al fresco dining space” would be coming to Columbia Street, with 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The first new tenants are expected to open this summer.

Photo by Michelle & Chris Gerard

Columbia Street is expected to have ten new storefronts along this promenade, anchored by the Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars World Headquarters, which opens later this year.

Olympia Development also announced recently that they’ve started facade work on the Detroit Life Building, which sits at the other end of the block. That building has been owned by the Ilitches since the 1980s and has sat vacant for decades. No redevelopment plans have been announced yet.

In recent weeks, Crain’s has reported on more potential new developments from Olympia, including two new towers near Comerica Park and the long-planned retail over I-75. Olympia Development has not confirmed any of these plans yet.