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Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

An Updated Guide to Capitol Park's Renovation Spree

By Paul Beshouri
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By Paul Beshouri
Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

It's time to update Curbed's Capitol Park Map O' Progress! Home to many of the oldest buildings in downtown Detroit, Capitol Park began a redevelopment spree about two years ago and hasn't looked back since. Several buildings have changed dramatically since the map first posted in 2013, so we've started fresh with completely new photography alongside updated info on each building.



· Capitol Park Renovation Guide: A Working Map of Progress [Curbed]

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1. Capitol Park Building

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1145 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Built in 1912, the Capitol Park Building has finally begun work on a $22.7M renovation. Plans call for 63 apartments up top with 19,000 square feet of retail space below. It's one of three buildings in Cap Park controlled by Karp and Associates. ETA: Spring 2016.

2. United Way Building

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1212 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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Detroit's oldest surviving high-rise finished a $38.5M renovation in early 2015, and now contains offices for the Archdiocese of Detroit along with 56 new apartments expected to come online any moment. Developer: Karp and Associates

3. Farwell Building

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1249 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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The DEGC declared the Farwell to be "greatest opportunity" for redevelopment in Cap Park, though it looks like developers are saving this 1915 gem for last. The former office building will eventually hold 83 new apartments, while its lower floors are aimed at retail around a beautiful atrium. Development rights belong to Karp and Associates. ETA: Unclear, 2016 at the earliest.

4. Griswold Building

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1214 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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Designed by Albert Kahn, the Griswold first opened its doors in 1927 as an office building. After several decades as subsidized senior housing, the building was converted into a high-end apartment building called the Albert. Detroit Bikes is the first retailer to open on the ground floor.

5. David Stott Building

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1150 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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This historic high-rise was sold to Dan Gilbert in May after a disastrous stint with DDI Group that included a massive flood. Renovations are in the future, but no word on whether the Stott will go residential or commercial. Tour the pre-flood interior here.

6. Urban Bean Co

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200 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
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Our favorite downtown coffee spot reopened in 2013 after a five-year hiatus.

7. Bamlet Building

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1265 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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Owned by Dan Gilbert, this 1897 mid-rise packs 36,000 square feet and has been totally renovated. It's now home to the Detroit Institute of Music Education, or DIME.

8. 1217 Griswold

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1217 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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Formerly a collection of no-frills artist lofts, this building was purchased by Dan Gilbert and is now in the midst of an all-out rehab. Apartments will replace the loft spaces with a 4,700-square-foot retail space on the ground floor.

9. Former Recording Studio

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1250 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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The former Industry Sound recording studio became Bedrock property in 2014. According to Bedrock's website, the 1902 structure is in line for an "extensive historical redevelopment" that'll convert the ground floor into a retail space. Either office space or apartments will go upstairs. It may look puny next to the Griswold Building, but square footage is listed at 8,700.

10. 119 State

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119 State Street
Detroit, MI 48226
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Built in 1887 as a cigar factory, this 34,000-square-foot structure was owned by Dennis Kefallinos until 2013, when it was purchased by Bedrock. No word on renovation plans.

11. Bennett Building

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45 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
There isn't much to report concerning the Bennett Building, which dates back to 1895. Like several buildings nearby, it was owned (neglected) by Dennis Kefallinos before Bedrock bought it in 2013. It's unoccupied aside from the convenience store on the ground floor, which currently holds the title as Capitol Park's oldest continuously-operating retailer. It opened about 7 years ago.

12. 1211 Griswold

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1211 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
At only 24 feet wide, this terra cotta building is still privately owned. It's a rare hold-out for Capitol Park.

13. Theodore's Family Dining

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1201 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
No word on what's happening with this old restaurant space. The old Theo's signage disappeared last year, but that's about it. A Farmington Hills-based company called CDS Ltd is the listed owner.

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1. Capitol Park Building

1145 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Built in 1912, the Capitol Park Building has finally begun work on a $22.7M renovation. Plans call for 63 apartments up top with 19,000 square feet of retail space below. It's one of three buildings in Cap Park controlled by Karp and Associates. ETA: Spring 2016.
1145 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226

2. United Way Building

1212 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit's oldest surviving high-rise finished a $38.5M renovation in early 2015, and now contains offices for the Archdiocese of Detroit along with 56 new apartments expected to come online any moment. Developer: Karp and Associates
1212 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

3. Farwell Building

1249 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
The DEGC declared the Farwell to be "greatest opportunity" for redevelopment in Cap Park, though it looks like developers are saving this 1915 gem for last. The former office building will eventually hold 83 new apartments, while its lower floors are aimed at retail around a beautiful atrium. Development rights belong to Karp and Associates. ETA: Unclear, 2016 at the earliest.
1249 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

4. Griswold Building

1214 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Designed by Albert Kahn, the Griswold first opened its doors in 1927 as an office building. After several decades as subsidized senior housing, the building was converted into a high-end apartment building called the Albert. Detroit Bikes is the first retailer to open on the ground floor.
1214 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

5. David Stott Building

1150 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This historic high-rise was sold to Dan Gilbert in May after a disastrous stint with DDI Group that included a massive flood. Renovations are in the future, but no word on whether the Stott will go residential or commercial. Tour the pre-flood interior here.
1150 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

6. Urban Bean Co

200 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Our favorite downtown coffee spot reopened in 2013 after a five-year hiatus.
200 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

7. Bamlet Building

1265 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Owned by Dan Gilbert, this 1897 mid-rise packs 36,000 square feet and has been totally renovated. It's now home to the Detroit Institute of Music Education, or DIME.
1265 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

8. 1217 Griswold

1217 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Formerly a collection of no-frills artist lofts, this building was purchased by Dan Gilbert and is now in the midst of an all-out rehab. Apartments will replace the loft spaces with a 4,700-square-foot retail space on the ground floor.
1217 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

9. Former Recording Studio

1250 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
The former Industry Sound recording studio became Bedrock property in 2014. According to Bedrock's website, the 1902 structure is in line for an "extensive historical redevelopment" that'll convert the ground floor into a retail space. Either office space or apartments will go upstairs. It may look puny next to the Griswold Building, but square footage is listed at 8,700.
1250 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

10. 119 State

119 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Built in 1887 as a cigar factory, this 34,000-square-foot structure was owned by Dennis Kefallinos until 2013, when it was purchased by Bedrock. No word on renovation plans.
119 State Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Visit Website

11. Bennett Building

45 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
There isn't much to report concerning the Bennett Building, which dates back to 1895. Like several buildings nearby, it was owned (neglected) by Dennis Kefallinos before Bedrock bought it in 2013. It's unoccupied aside from the convenience store on the ground floor, which currently holds the title as Capitol Park's oldest continuously-operating retailer. It opened about 7 years ago.
45 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

12. 1211 Griswold

1211 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
At only 24 feet wide, this terra cotta building is still privately owned. It's a rare hold-out for Capitol Park.
1211 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226

13. Theodore's Family Dining

1201 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
No word on what's happening with this old restaurant space. The old Theo's signage disappeared last year, but that's about it. A Farmington Hills-based company called CDS Ltd is the listed owner.
1201 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226