Monroe Blocks

Detroit/ USA

Area/ Office space: more than 75,000 m²/ Retail: more than 15,000 m²/ Residential: 482 units/ Public space: more than 4,400 m²/ Site: 12,542 m²
Competition/ Invited RFP process 2016
Status/ Construction is expected to start December 2018/ Completion of Block B is scheduled for May-June 2022/ Completion for Block A is scheduled for Sept-Oct 2021
Client/ Bedrock Management Service LLC
Architect of Record/ Neumann Smith
Landscape Architect/ SLA
Engineer/ Buro Happold Engineering
Visuals/ Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects/ Hayes Davidson

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Located right at the center of the spokes that connect greater Detroit, the Monroe Blocks development will make an impact far beyond its near context, it will become a destination, an icon for the future development
of Detroit. The new development will combine downtown Detroit’s first high- rise office tower in a generation with over 480 residential units. The development will re-establish historic alleyways, introducing new public plazas and green space while prioritizing the public realm both indoors and out.

The Monroe Blocks office tower will offer a combination of large floor plates, tall ceiling heights, and access to sunlight currently unprecedented in Detroit.

From Woodward’s plan of Detroit following the 1805 fire (above left) to the 1840’s map (middle) showing a dense urban downtown, the current city plan (right) shows a looser urban fabric with many empty plots. Monroe Blocks development will re-establish a missing part of downtown Detroit.

The project will aim to stitch together the urban fabric, create porosity and add green spaces to promote gathering, socializing and interaction.

The site today represents a void in the center of Detroit, an important piece of the puzzle, connecting some of the city’s key central public spaces: Cadillac Square, Campus Martius, Library Square and Woodward. These new connections will not only bind the city center but also enrich, strengthen and unify the already popular public spaces.

Located in a historic site, the new urban icon will be integrated into the cultural heritage of the city of Detroit. Monroe Blocks will offer a wide variety of good and accessible common spaces.

Drawing people into the site will connect to the flows going across the city between Ford Field, Comerica Park and the future developments on Little Caesars Arena and its surroundings. The small side streets will become shortcuts to other destinations in the city.

The building heights are adjusted to optimize the views over the surrounding city and maximize the sunlight exposure. A shimmering 35-story office tower facing Campus Martius will be backed by impressive amounts of retail, residential apartments, and new public plazas and green space.

The entire project will make a diverse reflection on urban life. The mix of uses allows space for varied activities complimenting each other to make safe vibrant 24-hour public spaces. Functions include office, residential, high-street retail, grocery stores and food markets, entertainment, sport and leisure facilities and the potential for exhibition spaces and performance venues.

Monroe Blocks

Detroit/ USA

The Monroe Blocks office tower will offer a combination of large floor plates, tall ceiling heights, and access to sunlight currently unprecedented in Detroit.

From Woodward’s plan of Detroit following the 1805 fire (above left) to the 1840’s map (middle) showing a dense urban downtown, the current city plan (right) shows a looser urban fabric with many empty plots. Monroe Blocks development will re-establish a missing part of downtown Detroit.

The project will aim to stitch together the urban fabric, create porosity and add green spaces to promote gathering, socializing and interaction.

Located in a historic site, the new urban icon will be integrated into the cultural heritage of the city of Detroit. Monroe Blocks will offer a wide variety of good and accessible common spaces.

Drawing people into the site will connect to the flows going across the city between Ford Field, Comerica Park and the future developments on Little Caesars Arena and its surroundings. The small side streets will become shortcuts to other destinations in the city.

The building heights are adjusted to optimize the views over the surrounding city and maximize the sunlight exposure. A shimmering 35-story office tower facing Campus Martius will be backed by impressive amounts of retail, residential apartments, and new public plazas and green space.

Monroe Blocks combines high-rise and low-rise 480 residential units, full of public spaces, pedestrian walkways, and green roof top terraces.

related projects/

Monroe Blocks

Detroit/ USA

The Monroe Blocks office tower will offer a combination of large floor plates, tall ceiling heights, and access to sunlight currently unprecedented in Detroit.

From Woodward’s plan of Detroit following the 1805 fire (above left) to the 1840’s map (middle) showing a dense urban downtown, the current city plan (right) shows a looser urban fabric with many empty plots. Monroe Blocks development will re-establish a missing part of downtown Detroit.

The project will aim to stitch together the urban fabric, create porosity and add green spaces to promote gathering, socializing and interaction.

Located in a historic site, the new urban icon will be integrated into the cultural heritage of the city of Detroit. Monroe Blocks will offer a wide variety of good and accessible common spaces.

Drawing people into the site will connect to the flows going across the city between Ford Field, Comerica Park and the future developments on Little Caesars Arena and its surroundings. The small side streets will become shortcuts to other destinations in the city.

The building heights are adjusted to optimize the views over the surrounding city and maximize the sunlight exposure. A shimmering 35-story office tower facing Campus Martius will be backed by impressive amounts of retail, residential apartments, and new public plazas and green space.

Monroe Blocks combines high-rise and low-rise 480 residential units, full of public spaces, pedestrian walkways, and green roof top terraces.

related projects/

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