5K: DETROIT
SUMMARY:
Conversion of 13,500 SF abandoned grocery store into a build-to-suit company HQ with three courtyards. Completed November 2020.
OVerview:
This 13,500 SF building was built as a Wrigley's super market in the 1950s; it has been abandoned since the late 1990s. The condition of the building at acquisition was derelict, and the character basic, utilitarian. Instead of just renovating the strong structure with cosmetic surgery, Prince Concepts, with UNDECORATED Architects, decided to genetically engineer 5K, and transform its DNA. The building was designed to be converted into 8 apartments, 3 large commercial studio/work spaces, one tiny retail kiosk, and three beautifully landscaped introverted courtyards. To elaborate, to get light and wonderment into this flat, utilitarian structure sections of the roof were removed, and interior courtyards would magically appear and serve as public space within the shell of the building. The remaining 17,000 SF of land on the site is sandwiched between the building and the Grand Trunk Rail-line, an operational train track which services freight transports, in addition to an extensive and thoughtful landscape program within the building's courtyards, this back portion of the property was also transformed into lush gardens. The plan for the building and design of the courtyards was so inspired it compelled a 50+ person company in Downtown Detroit to Lease the entire building and make it their world HQ. The buildout was completed for Bloomscape in November of 2020.
