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Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

Capitol Park Renovation Guide: A Working Map of Progress

By Paul Beshouri
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By Paul Beshouri
31 comments / new
Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

One of the oldest districts of downtown Detroit, Capitol Park has long been scheduled for a large-scale renovation. Formerly a transit center, the park itself was completely redone in 2009 after the Rosa Parks Transit Center opened. Shortly after that, the city issued an RFP for the redevelopment of Cap Park's three major buildings: The Farwell, the Capitol Park Building, and the United Way Building. Unfortunately, the exact details of what's going to happen are still vague. To help paint a clearer picture, we've made a map featuring every building in Capitol Park. The map will be updated and linked to with every new relevant post, giving us a working diagram of progress, plans, and rumors.


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Capitol Park Building

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Built in 1912, the Capitol Park Building is slated for restoration and conversion to 60-70 apartments. First floor retail is also expected. It is one of three buildings controlled by Karp and Associates.
1145 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

United Way Building

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Detroit's oldest surviving high-rise is in great condition, with five of her floors scheduled to hold the Archdiocese of Detroit after renovations. The rest may be converted to apartments. Developer: Karp and Associates.
1212 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Farwell Building

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The DEGC declared the Farwell to be "greatest opportunity" for redevelopment in Cap Park. The former office building is ideal for a residential conversion, while its lower floors are aimed at retail around a beautiful atrium. Development rights: Karp and Associates.
1249 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Griswold Building

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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 purchased by Sachse Construction in May. Now it's headed for an eventual conversion into apartments. The ground floor features 14,000 square feet of retail space.
1214 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

David Stott Building

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The David Stott was recently purchased by DDI, a corporation based in Shanghai. They're planning a renovation of the office spaces, but hint that residential units on the upper levels could happen in the future. Tour the pre-renovation interior here.
1150 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Griswold Parking Structure

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Despite a similarity in style to the doomed Bates Garage near Campus Martius, we're hearing the Griswold Structure will remain intact and available for eventual resident parking.
1405 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Urban Bean Co

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

Bamlet Building

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Owned by Dan Gilbert, this 1897 mid-rise packs 36,000 square feet. Currently under renovation, it's rumored to become some sort of gallery/studio/live-work situation for artists.
1265 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

1217 Griswold

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A collection of spacious, no-frills lofts, this building now appears to be under Dan Gilbert control.
1217 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Former Detroit Pizza Factory

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This former pizza restaurant is listed as having three stories. An active recording studio in on the first floor.
1250 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

119 State

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This 34,000-square foot office building is vacant and was formerly owned by Dennis Kefallinos. Dan Gilbert bought the building in late 2013, with plans for ground floor retail and apartments above.
119 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226

37 W Grand River

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Home to H&S Deli, this five-story office building contains 30,000 square feet and is otherwise vacant. It was for sale, but is no longer listed. Dennis Kefallinos is the last known owner. Occasionally listed at 45 W. Grand River.
37 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

1211 Griswold

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This narrow building is privately owned, and contains a residential area upstairs.
1211 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Theodore's Family Dining

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This 6,000-square-foot restaurant space is listed as being owned by the McDonald's Corporation in the original Capitol Park RFP document.
1201 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

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Capitol Park Building

1145 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Built in 1912, the Capitol Park Building is slated for restoration and conversion to 60-70 apartments. First floor retail is also expected. It is one of three buildings controlled by Karp and Associates.
1145 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

United Way Building

1212 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit's oldest surviving high-rise is in great condition, with five of her floors scheduled to hold the Archdiocese of Detroit after renovations. The rest may be converted to apartments. Developer: Karp and Associates.
1212 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Farwell Building

1249 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
The DEGC declared the Farwell to be "greatest opportunity" for redevelopment in Cap Park. The former office building is ideal for a residential conversion, while its lower floors are aimed at retail around a beautiful atrium. Development rights: Karp and Associates.
1249 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

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 purchased by Sachse Construction in May. Now it's headed for an eventual conversion into apartments. The ground floor features 14,000 square feet of retail space.
1214 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

David Stott Building

1150 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
The David Stott was recently purchased by DDI, a corporation based in Shanghai. They're planning a renovation of the office spaces, but hint that residential units on the upper levels could happen in the future. Tour the pre-renovation interior here.
1150 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Griswold Parking Structure

1405 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Despite a similarity in style to the doomed Bates Garage near Campus Martius, we're hearing the Griswold Structure will remain intact and available for eventual resident parking.
1405 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Urban Bean Co

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

Bamlet Building

1265 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Owned by Dan Gilbert, this 1897 mid-rise packs 36,000 square feet. Currently under renovation, it's rumored to become some sort of gallery/studio/live-work situation for artists.
1265 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

1217 Griswold

1217 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
A collection of spacious, no-frills lofts, this building now appears to be under Dan Gilbert control.
1217 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Former Detroit Pizza Factory

1250 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This former pizza restaurant is listed as having three stories. An active recording studio in on the first floor.
1250 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

119 State

119 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This 34,000-square foot office building is vacant and was formerly owned by Dennis Kefallinos. Dan Gilbert bought the building in late 2013, with plans for ground floor retail and apartments above.
119 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226

37 W Grand River

37 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Home to H&S Deli, this five-story office building contains 30,000 square feet and is otherwise vacant. It was for sale, but is no longer listed. Dennis Kefallinos is the last known owner. Occasionally listed at 45 W. Grand River.
37 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

1211 Griswold

1211 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This narrow building is privately owned, and contains a residential area upstairs.
1211 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Theodore's Family Dining

1201 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This 6,000-square-foot restaurant space is listed as being owned by the McDonald's Corporation in the original Capitol Park RFP document.
1201 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226