Winter 2021
The Obama helps black women drive economic recovery
December 22nd, 2021
Built 104 years ago in Northwest Detroit’s Old Redford district and renovated in the depths of the pandemic, The Obama is already emerging as a hub for the city’s equitable economic recovery, driven by black women-owned businesses.
Open ArticleDetroit’s 104-year-old Obama Building reopens as home to businesses, affordable apartments
September 25th, 2021
Excitement was as bountiful as the sunshine that peeked through the skies Saturday while residents, business owners and others attended the dedication of The Obama Building in the Old Redford neighborhood on the city’s west side. City and state officials along with about 250 others attended ceremonies to mark the opening of the 104-year-old building on Grand River and Lahser, which was once a bank and will now house businesses and four affordable apartments.
Open ArticleDetroit’s new Obama Building is an experiment in developing for the community
November 18th, 2020
Many Detroiters want new development — but they also want impactful, mission-driven projects that address their personal and neighborhoods’ needs. That often doesn’t happen. But it can: just look at a recent redevelopment in Detroit’s Old Redford neighborhood. Developers of the Obama Building took a unique approach to ensure it would serve residents, and in the process, baked in more community benefits than many projects in the city.
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Old Redford project revives historic bank building
November 12th, 2020
The corner of Grand River Avenue and Lahser Road on Detroit’s west side has a new look that includes a restored 103-year-old building. The historic bank building was renovated into an apartment with housing units and 8,800 square feet of retail space and is open for tenants. The $3.6 million renovations come thanks to Mayor Mike Duggan’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund, an initiative that’s renovating neighborhoods across the city.
Open ArticleDetroit artist Chazz Miller working on new exhibit to help revitalize Old Redford neighborhood
October 31st, 2020
You might be familiar with Chazz Miller. If you don’t know him by name you likely know his work in The neighborhood itself has finally attracted millions of dollars in investments, like for the long-abandoned bank nicknamed the Obama Building because of Chazz’s portrait on the outside. The Obama Building is now being completely renovated to the tune of more than $3 million for restaurant and retail space down below and lofts up above, as well as a gallery where Chazz’s Obama portrait and others will be displayed.
Open ArticleSpring 2020
Detroit investors ready to restore 5 blighted storefronts on Grand River
October 21st, 2016
The Platform development group – owners of the iconic Fisher Building in the New Center Area – says it’s time to elevate the corners of the distinctive block known as the hub of Old Redford, home to the historic Redford Theater.
Open ArticleNew Details on The Platform’s Investment near Brightmoor
May 27th, 2016
Earlier this week, we told you that developer Peter Cummings is creating a new development group, called the Platform, that plans on building 1,000 apartments in the TechTown/New Center area near the M-1 rail. The group is also investing in Islandview, the University District, and Brightmoor. Now we have a few more details.
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