Crain's Detroit Business

11/17/2025

Michigan Central’s holiday market is up and running for a second year in Corktown.

Building on the success of last year’s event, Winter at The Station will open the historic train depot to the public for live entertainment, shopping, food and more. The event began last weekend and runs through Dec. 28. Most of the programming is free of charge, though some events are ticketed.

Nearly a dozen Detroit artisans and retailers will sell their wares at Neighbor x Folk and pop-ups inside The Station, with exclusive merchandise at the shop inside the historic ticket office.

There’s plenty for kids, too, including a hands-free digital coloring book, a cookie-decorating workshop and a family-friendly reading event, Storytime at the Station.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/news/michigan-central-welcome-visitors-holiday-festivities?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/17/2025

After years of real estate musical chairs, Ford Motor Co. has officially opened its new global headquarters in what is one of the largest office, research and design buildings in the country.

At 2.1 million square feet, the building marks the Dearborn-based automaker’s first new headquarters since the post-World War II era and helps bring Ford into the 21st Century with contemporary workspaces, large swaths of natural light, courtyards, common working areas, green space and other amenities.

With stutter-stepping architecture across four stories, the new Ford World Headquarters — as it’s officially known — is a stark departure from the Skidmore, Owens & Merrill-designed Henry Ford II World Center, commonly known as the Glass House, which has 12 stories and an all-glass façade about three miles away from the new building, which has a capacity for about 4,500 to 5,000 employees, or double the previous HQ.

It's part of a longtime effort to consolidate employees into a more centralized area, creating a campus-like feel for the automaker, whose portfolio as of about a decade ago was 71 buildings totaling about 13.1 million square feet in and around Dearborn, an RFP at the time said.

“It is a building that really brings together all of Ford Motor Co. onto a campus here in Southeast Michigan … This really allows our teams to work very differently than they have in the past," he said, adding: “As Jim Farley has said in the past, when you walk into our existing headquarters building, you’re not quite sure if you’re walking into Ford or if you’re walking into a shampoo company building. With this building, you know you’re walking into Ford Motor Co.”

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/new-ford-world-headquarters-officially-opens?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/16/2025

The city of Detroit and the state of Michigan have come to an agreement on a deal with developer Stuart-Pitman Inc. for a lease that will allow work to begin on the $30 million-plus Belle Isle Boathouse plan.

The lease agreement is expected to go before the Detroit City Council for final approval late this month, leaders said.

The lease agreement will give Stuart-Pitman the right to redevelop, operate and program the Boathouse site, Carleton said. The developer is looking to begin work on the structure’s roof next year.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which operates the city-owned island park in the Detroit River under a 30-year management agreement that began in 2014, selected Stuart-Pitman’s public-private proposal for the restoration of the boathouse site last fall after the Detroit City Council asked it to pursue restoration of the boathouse.

The developer's plan for the Belle Isle Gateway at the Detroit Boathouse will open it to the public with a new welcome center, a new marina with water taxis, canoe and kayak rentals, restaurants, restored event space, and expanded areas for nonprofit rowing and sailing programs.

Read more here:

The city of Detroit and the state have reached a deal to lease the Belle Isle Boathouse to a developer.

11/14/2025

A new cocktail lounge in downtown Detroit whose name pays tribute to a similar business once co-owned by the father of business mogul Dan Gilbert is ready for its close-up.

Saksey’s, first announced in February 2024, is set to open Friday in the basement of 1550 Woodward Ave. — the same building that is home to Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop bar, a vision from Gilbert's late son, Nick.

Saksey’s is a venture from New York-based NoHo Hospitality Group and the Gilbert family. NoHo Hospitality, run by partners Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard, is also behind Detroit restaurants and bars San Morello, Evening Bar and Gilly’s.

Saksey’s gets its name from Saksey's Lounge and Restaurant in Detroit that Dan Gilbert’s father, Sam, ran with Irv Saks in the 1970s.

“The original, Detroit-based Saksey’s … was the kind of neighborhood tavern everyone wished was on their corner… easygoing, full of heart, and built on genuine connection,” Ostrom said in a news release. “When we started shaping this new bar, we wanted to honor that spirit while making it entirely our own. It’s not about re-creating the past; it’s about carrying its energy forward, the sense of belonging, the humor, the craft, and letting it live in a new way.”

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/gilbert-inspired-sakseys-cocktail-lounge-set-open?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/13/2025

The proposed redevelopment of the Renaissance Center has secured its first batch of public funding.

The Downtown Development Authority board unanimously signed off on a total of up to $75 million in reimbursements to Bedrock LLC and General Motors Co. for several pieces of the $1.6 billion or so project first floated a year ago this month.

It’s a small piece of what’s expected to be a much broader public financing package; the project’s backers have said it would not happen without lawmakers raising the cap on the Transformational Brownfield Program, a reimbursement incentive that largely comes from the state.

The RenCen proposal includes the demolition of the 300 and 400 office towers that sit closest to the Detroit River, freeing up some five acres of land for new park space along the water.

In addition, the 727-foot Marriott hotel tower — the state’s tallest building — would have its approximately 1,300 hotel rooms reduced to 858 rooms, with approximately 200 rental units on the top 20 floors replacing the lost rooms. There would also be an observation deck.

The 100 Tower would be turned into 384 units of housing, while the 200 Tower would be renovated as modern office space.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/rencen-bedrock-general-motors-public-funding-approval?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/13/2025

Nearly 15,000 local and international workers are credited with muscling the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge through a pandemic, regulatory delays and supply chain disruptions.

After 26 years and 19 million hours of work, the bridge is preparing to open in early 2026.

The newest Detroit-Windsor border crossing is more than just long-awaited, it’s an architectural masterpiece representative of the community’s resilience, Michael Griffie, who serves as the Detroit metro leader for bridge designer AECOM, said in an interview with Crain’s.

The project kicked off in 2000 with planning and environmental studies, according to a timeline provided by AECOM. The bridge didn’t break ground until 2018, following almost two decades of environmental approvals, permit issues and procurement process.

Throughout the process, the bridge also withstood a lengthy legal and political battle against the Moroun family, owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, who have long opposed the publicly owned Gordie Howe International Bridge as a competitor.

Construction kicked off in 2018. Now, seven years later, the project has overcome unforeseen challenges.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/gordie-howe-international-bridge-nears-finish-line?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/12/2025

The restored Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts in Pontiac is up for sale after plans fell through for Pontiac Church to buy and occupy the space.

In October 2023, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved removing Kyle and Brent Westberg from their financial obligations to the state on a $4.5 million low-interest loan made in October 2015 for the $20 million 2017 renovation of the theater after the planned sale to Pontiac Church.

The church, in turn, in addition to occupying it, was planning to continue the 1921 theater’s operations and expand community programming there

But because the Westbergs and the church couldn’t come to terms on a deal, that sale never materialized. Now, two years later, the Westbergs are seeking a buyer for an undisclosed price. Farmington Hills-based Farbman Group has the listing.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/flagstar-strand-theatre-downtown-pontiac-hits-market?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/12/2025

When Vista Maria shuts down its residential treatment program for girls next month, it will become the 16th provider to exit Michigan's youth mental health system since 2020.

The closure, which will result in the loss of 154 jobs in Dearborn Heights, will leave just 398 residential treatment beds statewide — down from 1,200 five years ago — amid state regulations limiting the restraint and seclusion of violent clients. That has made facilities unsafe for workers and youth alike, resulting in high staff turnover that forced some agencies to end the program, leaders said.

Too few treatment beds and the increasing number and acuity of youth needing treatment have fueled the soaring staff turnover, and led to property damage, police calls and in a vicious circle, the exodus of other treatment providers.

Vista Maria has operated its residential treatment program for girls on its Dearborn Heights campus since the 1970s. Its exit from that service comes about six months after the state suspended placements on its campus and moved girls to other sites after confirming staff violations of client treatment.

The nature of complaints against Vista Maria included name-calling, swearing, inappropriate contact and assaults by staff members on clients, among other things. Many of the allegations that were substantiated had to do with too few staff to monitor kids as staff were called away from a building wing for a moment, but none of them rose to the level of abuse or neglect, and assault situations were initiated by clients, CEO Kathy Regan said.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/vista-maria-end-residential-program-troubled-youths?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/12/2025

Each year, Crain’s Detroit Business recognizes 40 young professionals from Southeast Michigan who are making a lasting impact across industries and communities. This year's 40 Under 40 class upholds that legacy, demonstrating the vision and drive to shape the region’s future.

Join us Nov. 20 at Hudson’s Detroit as we recognize this outstanding group and commemorate Crain’s 40th anniversary. Register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/30f6cc8c-1853-4225-ad2a-bf15968c45fc/summary?utm_medium=social&utm_source=CDBMKT_facebook&utm_campaign=40sEvent&utm_content=editorial

Meet this year's entire 40 Under 40 class here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/awards/40-under-40-2025-meet-honorees?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/11/2025

The lobby of the new 12-story D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion at University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor is much more akin to a trendy urban hotel than a hospital.

Smart pendant lights dangle over the wood-accented reception area and massive modernistic nature murals line its corridors. A café — the River Café — is adorned with an embossed gold river inside its wood paneling running from the entrance to chairs farthest back.

The $920 million tower on the UM Health campus aims to be the modern archetype of health care in America, driven by stiff competition in Southeast Michigan that’s led to more than $4 billion in announced projects in recent years from health systems in the region.

Modern hospitality industry twists, advanced technologies, private rooms, more family lounges and upgraded staff accommodations are all part of the package.

“No one that comes through those doors wants to be here, so we’re just trying to make it as comfortable as possible,” Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief environmental, social and governance officer for Michigan Medicine said.

The 690,000-square-foot tower — delayed for nearly a year during the COVID-19 pandemic — will open in just weeks.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/health-care/um-health-nears-opening-new-pavilion-hospital-ann-arbor?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/11/2025

Say goodbye to Sonder Holdings Inc.

Sonder Holdings, a boutique apartment rental company, announced Monday it is planning to file for bankruptcy after the cash-strapped company lost a key partnership with Marriott International.

A sign on the door Tuesday morning said it is “no longer in operation as Sonder Gabriel Richard,” and gave instructions for guests if they booked through Marriott, and if they booked through other sites like Expedia.com, Booking.com, Airbnb and others.

Stories of similar abrupt measures were reported in CNBC, Business Insider and elsewhere. Business Insider published a photo of a note taped to an elevator door saying that the demise of a licensing agreement with Marriott International Inc. meant Sonder was "no longer able to honor the remainder of your stay." The note advised guests to be out of their accommodations by 9 a.m. local time on Monday.

Sonder was delinquent on master lease payments, a statement from Barbat Holdings said. That has prompted Barbat to look for new operators to take over the property.

Read more here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate-insider/sonder-holdings-file-bankruptcy-hotel-guests-evicted?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own

11/11/2025

The fate of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meyer May House hangs in limbo as Steelcase Inc., which has owned and operated the Grand Rapids landmark for 40 years, nears completion of its sale to HNI Corp.

Neither company will say what will happen to the meticulously restored 1909 Prairie-style home, the only house in Grand Rapids that Wright designed from start to finish, or the adjacent visitor center, citing the pending acquisition.

Shareholders of both companies will vote Dec. 5 on the $2.2 billion merger that’s expected to close by year’s end.

The Meyer May House represents an early example of Wright’s residential work in Michigan and stands as a testament to corporate-funded historic preservation. Its future now rests with HNI, the Muscatine, Iowa-based company that must decide whether to keep the property.

Designed by Wright for Sophie and Meyer May in 1908 and completed in 1909, the Meyer May House is located at 450 Madison Ave. SE in Grand Rapids’ Heritage Hill neighborhood, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Steelcase acquired the Meyer May House in 1985 and kicked off an extensive restoration based on old sketches and photographs, down to commissioning the bespoke carpet house V’Soske Inc. to recreate the home’s original rugs.

The company also removed a 1922 addition, replaced plaster, restored a George Mann Niedecken mural under six layers of paint, cleaned and repaired windows, recreated original furniture pieces and restored the landscape to its 1909 design.

Read more here: https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/iconic-key-tower-faces-refinancing-tough-market?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own