ROSSETTI has unveiled their design for a proposed development in downtown Detroit on the site of a currently unfinished jail. The project features a new MLS stadium with 20,000-25,000 seats, a training facility, a retail area, a parking structure for more than 5,000 cars, and four towers programmed for a hotel and residential and office spaces.
The proposed new gateway aims to transform this area of the city into a destination for sports, entertainment, retail, and hospitality, and will balance open pedestrian spaces with a “world-class urban environment for the city.” Once completed, the site will serve as an anchor for the future 300-acre entertainment district.
“Central to the project’s design is porosity and creating an uninterrupted experience between the public realm and physical buildings," said Matt Rossetti, Detroit native and CEO and President of ROSSETTI, in a press release. "In it, we explore how to unite cities with nature, people with habitats, sports with culture. We endeavor to have all anchor developments facilitating pedestrian movement horizontally and vertically through a ‘green belt’ podium.”
The aforementioned podium can be used by the public from the ground level all the way to the rooftop nature trail, which will run about 8-10 blocks and connect the four towers. Large civic plazas will allow for different programming year-round and create a sense of community in the new district.
The development will also restore the city’s infrastructure on a larger scale by creating a connection between the center of the downtown area with the Eastern Market.
The design was commissioned by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, with the acknowledgement of MLS Commissioner Don Garber. The next steps in the development of the project include further discussions between the City of Detroit, Wayne County, Rock Ventures, Platinum Equity, the MLS and other stakeholders.
Learn more about the proposed project here.
