A section of downtown that hasn't seen a lot of development in the last few years finally has a few development plans underway. Along with two other buildings (more below), three buildings on the block of Broadway between Gratiot and Grand River will be demolished, but with facades (mostly) saved.
The Historic District Commission gave the project a "notice to proceed" at their meeting last night, after plans proposed in early 2020 did not materialize. Kraemer Design Group led the presentation, which covers 1322-36 Broadway. The project, called Broadway Lofts, is still in the early stages, so expect more approvals, financing, and permitting in the near future.
Kraemer Design Group
The buildings themselves are too far gone to save, according to the presentation. While the facades on the red brick and the terra cotta building will be restored, the facade on the far left limestone building has deteriorated greatly in the past few years. This building will be replaced with a black brick building -- not just a flat modern design, but with more detailed brickwork -- and elements of its current facade will be referenced in the exterior and used inside the building.
Kraemer Design Group
A new nine-story building is proposed behind the facades. The design isn't final yet, but the new tower would be set back behind the buildings, giving room between the historic and modern, along with Juliet balconies and rooftop terraces on the fourth and ninth floors.
Recently, the commission approved plans for two other buildings on the block. The neighboring Harvard Square Centre will be converted into 34 apartments and retail (led by Bedrock) and on the corner, the nine-story Merchants Building will be rehabbed into a new 100+ room hotel (led by Method Development).
While this street has been fairly quiet in terms of development, it's in the middle of two major new builds. Along Gratiot, the Exchange has wrapped up major construction. And on the other side of the Z-Lot, the Hudson's site is going up.
