Fisher Body was an automobile coachbuilder founded in 1908. Its 21st plant, a six-story 600,000-sf factory in Detroit that produced car chassis, was said to be one of Motor City’s first poured-concrete buildings. General Motors purchased the plant in 1926 and made Cadillacs and Buicks there through 1984. The plant then went from being occupied by paint manufacturers for nearly a decade, to abandonment until the city of Detroit took ownership of the graffiti-strewn structure in 2000.
The building seemed destined for demolition—especially after a fire in 2014 damaged part of the plant—until two local developers Greg Jackson and Richard Hosey, and the architecture, interiors, and planning firm McIntosh Poris Associates, came up with a mixed-use design alternative that will reuse the plant for housing.
Fisher 21 Lofts, as the repurposed site is called, will have 433 apartments, one-fifth of which designated as affordable. McIntosh Poris’ design features three skylight-capped atria with courtyards, 28,000 sf of restaurants and retail, and 15,000 sf of coworking office space on the ground and second floor levels. The ground floor will also offer an outdoor pool terrace on the building’s south side.
PRESERVING HISTORY
The building’s façade will receive a full historic preservation, with all window openings being retained as originally designed and the windows themselves being replaced. Existing masonry will be cleaned and restored. The building’s signature water tower with be retained, and its existing penthouse transformed into a clubhouse and fitness center.
Fisher 21 Lofts’ amenities include a two-acre roof with a lounge, dog park and spa, and a quarter-mile walking track with views of Detroit’s skyline.
The lofts’ construction is expected to start later this year, and should be ready for occupancy by 2025. The project’s building team includes Lewand Building Companies (CM), Kidorf Preservation Consulting (historic tax-credit consultant), Mannik Smith Group (CE, landscape architect), Applied Environmental (environmental engineer), ETS Engineering (EE), Sellinger Associates (M/P engineer), IMEG (SE), Capture It (3D scanning), and Amy Baker Architect (spec writing).
This $134 million adaptive reuse is believed to be the largest minority-led development in Detroit’s history, teaming Jackson Asset Management, Hosey Development, and Lewand Development. The Detroit Free Press reported that the developers acquired the building for less than $1 million, and that it would have cost the city between $5 million and $10 million to tear down the building.
Related Stories
Education Facilities | Jan 8, 2018
Three former school buildings are repurposed to create mini-campus for teacher education
The $25.3 million project is currently under construction on the Winona State University campus.
Adaptive Reuse | Jan 4, 2018
Student housing development on Chapman University campus includes adaptive reuse of 1918 packing house
The Packing House was originally built for the Santiago Orange Growers Association.
Adaptive Reuse | Dec 11, 2017
Detroit's economic improvement a boon to its hotel sector
Detroit Foundation, a stylish boutique hotel, is the Motor City’s newest hospitality venue.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 29, 2017
‘Eat-ertainment’ establishment grants abandoned air traffic control building a second life
The concept’s design reflects the golden age of flight.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 10, 2017
Austin’s first indoor shopping mall becomes Austin Community College’s new digital media center
Renovation of the defunct mall represents Phase 2 of ACC’s $100 million adaptive reuse project.
Adaptive Reuse | Oct 23, 2017
A tableware storage space is reset to accommodate an investment firm’s headquarters in Raleigh, N.C.
This adaptive reuse establishes more direct visual and physical connections to a growing city.
Adaptive Reuse | Oct 5, 2017
Wexford’s latest innovation center breaks ground in Providence
The campus is expected to include an Aloft hotel.
Office Buildings | Jun 13, 2017
WeWork takes on a construction management app provider
Fieldlens helps turn jobsites into social networks.
Office Buildings | Mar 27, 2017
New York warehouse to become an office mixing industrial and modern aesthetics
The building is located in West Chelsea between the High Line and West Street.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 9, 2016
Middle school transformed into affordable housing for seniors
The project received $3.8 million in public financing in exchange for constructing units for residents earning less than 60 percent of the area’s median income.