By Joshua Long, Data Program Director
Working from the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s offices overlooking Campus Martius Park in the heart of Downtown Detroit, I have a front row view of the transformations taking place. But because I’m exposed to this progress on a daily basis, the full impact of these efforts often comes from people who haven’t been Downtown for a while, and they are blown away by what they discover. Whether they are attending a Detroit Lions or Tigers game, taking in a play or concert, or trying a new restaurant, visitors are finding a vibrant, inviting city. It only takes one visit for them to be increasingly drawn to engage or re-engage with Downtown’s many businesses, parks, and attractions. I enjoy learning of these changed impressions of our city, and proud to be part of the team making it happen.
The pace of progress is not slowing down, as evident in the “2025 Downtown Detroit Community and Development Update,” which will be released October 15 at the DDP’s Fall Forum: Special Edition in partnership with Michigan Central and the RIVER Collaborative.*
Spoiler alert: the Update, published by the DDP and the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, documents 54 development projects (see chart below) in and near Downtown Detroit – representing nearly $4.4 billion invested in projects under construction, with $1.7 billion directly within the BIZ.
Number of Projects in Report by Status
| Status | Number of Projects, 2025 |
| Recently Complete | 4 |
| Under Construction | 17 |
| Pipeline | 20 |
| On the Radar | 13 |
| 54 |
Major projects such as Hudson’s Detroit (that includes The Department at Hudson’s event space, General Motors headquarters, and the Detroit EDITION hotel and residences), are dramatically changing Downtown. Other smaller but consequential projects are also underway such as the Residences @ 150 Bagley, The Belle, and Reckmeyer Lofts, which will add much-needed housing stock and more opportunities for people to live Downtown. Just north of Beacon Park, the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI), slated to open in the Fall of 2026, will bring thousands of graduate students, scholars, and professionals Downtown for work and study. Adjacent to Campus Martius Park, Bedrock is building a Market Hall and COSM immersive experience theater, as part of the first phase of a project that will transform two blocks along Monroe between Woodward and Randolph. These are just a few examples from the Development Update.
Under Construction Projects within the BIZ
| Project Name | Primary Type | Address | Year Complete |
| The Development at Cadillac Square- Phase 1, COSM and Market Hall | Mixed-Use, Residential, Retail, Entertainment | 22 Monroe St | 2027 |
| Hudson’s Detroit – The Detroit EDITION Hotel | Hospitality | 1208 Woodward | 2027 |
| JW Marriot Detroit Water Square | Hospitality | 600 Civic Center Drive | 2027 |
| University of Michigan Center for Innovation | Institutional | 657 Mullett St | 2026 |
| Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building | Office | 477 Michigan Ave. | 2027 |
| 1133 Griswold | Residential | 1133 Griswold | 2025 |
| 2205 Cass, UMCI Residential Tower | Residential | 2205 Cass Ave | 2027 |
| Hudson’s Detroit: Residences at the Detroit EDITION | Residential | 1208 Woodward | 2027 |
| The Reckmeyer | Residential | 1320 Broadway St | 2026 |
| The Belle | Residential | 1346 Broadway St | 2027 |
| The Residences @ 150 Bagley | Residential | 150 Bagley | 2025 |
| 1315 Broadway | Retail | 1315 Broadway | 2026 |
The Development Report’s “Pipeline” is the next wave of projects, not yet under construction. Currently we’re tracking 20 new projects, 11 within the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone. Among these projects are ones announced by the Olympia Development / Related Companies partnership in The District Detroit, and the first-of-its-kind Gratiot Life Science Innovation District by Bedrock.
Weaving through all these projects are the beautiful, well-maintained parks and public spaces managed and curated by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. The award-winning Campus Martius Park and recently transformed Capitol Park are just two that are featured in the Development Report, but we take great care to ensure all of the DDP-managed spaces are clean, safe, and inviting for all who want to take part in the more than 1,200 events each year.
Downtown Detroit is transforming at a truly remarkable pace. It is dramatically changing people’s perceptions, and we don’t see the pace slowing down any time soon. If you have been surprised recently by what Downtown Detroit has become, just wait. There’s so much more to come.
*The Fall Forum takes place on Wednesday, October 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Michigan Central. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Connections, Forging Futures Together,” features an extended program spotlighting North America’s busiest border crossing and one of the nation’s most dynamic cross-border regions. Attendees will hear from City of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Colin Bird, Consul General for Canada in Detroit, Josh Sirefman, CEO, Michigan Central Innovation District and many more leaders from both sides of the border. To purchase tickets, visit: https://downtowndetroit.org/event/ddp-fall-forum-special-edition/
