Welcome to 2025! While we'll see a few major projects finish this year, we'll also start to see construction on a few sites that have been stagnant for a few years. While there's much more happening around the city, here are a few key development stories to keep your eye on this year.

Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park

This park has been in the works for over six years, and this fall, we'll finally see it open, creating a new destination along our Riverfront. The new 22-acre park will bring areas for sports, concerts, education, and play along the riverfront - along with a fun giant bear slide already in place (see a drone video of the park in progress here). According to a recent article from Crain's, the largest project now is landscaping; the park will have over 800 trees. It will also have a continuation of the Riverwalk, which will soon stretch 5.5 miles along the Detroit Riverfront. 

Gordie Howe International Bridge

Another major project that's been planned for years is nearly ready for traffic. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open later this fall, bringing another connection for traffic, including bikes and pedestrians, between the U.S. and Canada. Located just a few miles from the Ambassador Bridge, the Gordie Howe Bridge officially connected in 2024. Work remaining includes finishing the buildings on either side of the port of entry, as well as electrical, barriers, the multiuse path, and more along the bridge. 

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, Oct. 2024Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

JW Marriott Detroit Water Square

While the new hotel next to Huntington Place won't open this year, we're still including it on what to watch for 2025 since you'll start seeing its impact on the built environment around it. The Sterling Group built the neighboring Residences at Water Square quickly, and the 25-story JW Marriott Detroit Water Square Hotel is already rising next to it. The hotel will bring 600 rooms and a connecting walkway to Huntington Place. We'll also see the expansion of Second Avenue, and additional outdoor public spaces. It's not expected to open until early 2027; if you haven't seen the renderings yet, you can check them out here.

Gilbert projects moving forward downtown

We'll see construction start from Bedrock at a few key locations downtown. While further details about the Development at Cadillac Square are being finalized, construction should start on the upcoming Cosm Detroit, which will be a new sports and entertaining experience. It could open in 2026. We'll also see movement (finally) at the fail jail site. Last month, Bedrock announced a new collaboration between BAMF Health and other partners on a new Life Science Innovation Building, a research and outpatient facility for BAMF Health, along with education and coworking opportunities. Also from Bedrock, we could expect an announcement of the worst-kept secret in the city: a new, not-yet-confirmed, most likely Apple store has been under construction on Woodward near the Shinola Hotel since last summer. 

A non-Bedrock downtown development to watch: we thought the $125 million Music Hall expansion would happen last year. While the development obtained approvals this year, some financing held up the groundbreaking. We should see construction start early this year.

The Mid finally moving forward

We'll believe it when we see it, but we have good reason to believe that the Mid, a large development on Woodward just north of Mack, will actually break ground soon. The first phase of the development will be a 15-story Thompson Hotel; additional buildings will include two residential buildings - one 13-story building on a seven-story parking deck, plus a seven-story multifamily building. Retail will be included throughout the development. This development was announced in 2019 and plans have changed somewhat in that time. But this could be the year we finally start seeing work in that 3.8-acre, highly visible site near Whole Foods and the DMC.