Design Phase Begins for Woodward Mixed Use Redevelopment in Midtown Detroit

Disbrow Iannuzzi has officially kicked off design on the future Woodward Mixed Use redevelopment in Midtown Detroit. This highly anticipated project will restore three historic buildings—Walker, Pingree, and Pierce—which had stood vacant for nearly 15 years.

The project’s vision centers on transforming the 42,000 sq. ft. structures on the corner of Woodward Avenue and Peterboro Street into an active hub of retail and residential life. Once complete, the restored buildings will offer residents and visitors a more vibrant and modern environment to live, shop, and connect with the surrounding Midtown community.

As part of this early phase, the team is coordinating closely with [Client], local stakeholders, and the Detroit Historic District Commission to ensure that critical building elements—such as storefront configurations, window patterns, and the reintroduction of a prominent cornice—are both accurate and contemporary in their application.

“This project is really about rehabilitating a neglected building in the heart of Detroit. It had been vacant for years and was in terrible shape. Restoring it felt important, not only to our team but to the broader community,” said Jonathan Disbrow, Principal at Disbrow Iannuzzi.

Throughout the design development process, the team will prioritize durable, low-maintenance materials and layouts to create a lasting, budget-conscious model for adaptive reuse in Detroit’s historic neighborhoods.

“As a studio, responsible building is a multifaceted commitment for us. Whether we’re designing something new and making thoughtful decisions about materials, or in this case, taking on a different kind of responsibility, a civic responsibility to restore what’s already here, we approach it with the same care,” Disbrow added.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2024, with project completion anticipated in 2025.