Woodward Mixed Use

Woodward Mixed Use

The Woodward Mixed Use project is reviving a once-vacant block in Midtown Detroit by restoring three long-neglected buildings—the Walker, Pingree, and Pierce. Located along the historic spine of Woodward Avenue, the 42,000 sq. ft. redevelopment marks a significant civic investment in one of the city’s fastest-evolving neighborhoods.

From the outset, our team worked with the client to preserve the buildings’ original architecture while preparing the interiors for contemporary living and commerce. To achieve this, Disbrow Iannuzzi is leading a full core-and-shell rehabilitation, including exterior restoration, façade detailing, and interior conversion to accommodate eight new ground-floor retail spaces and 13 upper-floor residential units.

Because the site is located within a designated historic district, our team worked closely with the Detroit Historic District Commission and consulted archival photographs and documentation to inform the reconstruction of key architectural elements. Most notably, we are rebuilding a missing ornamental cornice—removed decades ago and replaced with a sheet metal cap—to restore the buildings’ original profile and rightful presence along the street.

Further restoration work includes brick and terracotta repairs across all three structures, the refurbishment of transom glass on the Pierce Building, and a complete overhaul of aging storefront systems. In areas where deterioration has created air leaks and thermal inefficiency, new glazing and framing are being introduced to meet modern energy performance standards.

Inside, the design emphasizes practicality. With a tight budget, we focused on efficient, high-impact solutions to prepare the buildings for modern use. For example, apartments will feature simple, durable finishes for long-term tenancy, while retail bays are being designed for flexibility to support a range of future tenants.

More than just a renovation, the Woodward Mixed Use project demonstrates how design can contribute to a community’s civic memory and future growth. In a city where demolition has often taken precedence over repair, this work presents an opportunity to preserve irreplaceable architecture and reinvest in Detroit’s built character.

Once completed and fully occupied, the development will bring new economic activity to a critical urban corridor and serve as a benchmark for how historic buildings can be brought forward with integrity.