Hey friends, Jer here. Hope your Monday is treating you well.
This morning I checked out The Belle — 42 newly renovated apartments by Bedrock, along with ground-floor retail space.
The building has a fascinating history. It was originally built in 1926 as the Broadway Exchange Building, commissioned by Clara Scherer, a pioneering businesswoman, and designed by George D. Mason — the same architect behind the Detroit Masonic Temple, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, among many others. He also had a hand in the Belle Isle Aquarium, along with Albert Kahn.
Bedrock marked the grand opening today with a ribbon cutting alongside city and state officials, including District 5 Detroit City Council Member Renata Miller. It had been mostly empty since the 1990s.
The project was restored by Kraemer Design Group with interiors by Pophouse.
On the exterior, original Rosso Levanto marble was re-installed on the first and second floors, and terra cotta details — think cornucopias, field flowers, and farmer baskets — were refurbished.
Inside the lobby, workers uncovered an original plaster ceiling that was then hand-painted in the building's 1920s color palette of yellows, greens, and reds.
Original terrazzo floors remain throughout the ground floor.
The apartments range from studios to two bedrooms, with finishes like dark quartz countertops, emerald green cabinetry, and pendant lighting — modern, but with a nod to the building's Beaux-Arts roots.
Amenities include a community lounge (Clara's Repose), bike storage, and private focus rooms.
Pricing for what's listed on their website runs from $1,370 for a studio to $2,140 for two-bed, two-bath, and move-ins start July 1.
There's also a 7,500-square-foot two-level retail/food and beverage space available facing Broadway.
đź‘€ What's going on at this Woodward storefront? We saw some window work happening today on Woodward at W. Willis in the spot of a former liquor store.
In case you didn't know, a couple doors down the building was also home to the long-loved Union Street restaurant (RIP Dragon Eggs, IYKYK!)
When asked, nobody shared details. We'll update you when we know more.
If you know what's up, let us know!
🛍️ Coming this fall to the Park Shelton, next to the DIA, is the Peacock Room Antiques Studio. It'll be a hybrid space that blends vintage retail with events, education, and a bit of collector culture.
According to press materials, expect a rotating mix of antiques, Detroit artifacts, vintage fashion, jewelry, and design pieces, with price points aimed at both casual browsers and serious collectors.
Proprietor Rachel Lutz is building this around experiences, such as salon-style gatherings, tastings, music, and “show-and-tell” sessions with guest collectors.
Early partners include Henry the Hatter, the Dabls MBAD African Bead Museum, and Hagopian Rugs.
The idea is a nod to Detroit philanthropist and art collector Charles Lang Freer’s philosophy that collecting is personal, layered, and built over time.
The Peacock Room Antiques Studio will be open by appointment or during events and is slated to open by fall of this year.
🏀 Bar IX is crowdfunding startup costs for what it says will be Detroit’s first dedicated social space for women’s sports. [Givebutter]
The campaign launched June 8 with a $125,000 goal, and organizers say they’re in the process of closing on a permanent home, with the location still under wraps.
The project has already drawn in more than $25,000 as of this writing.
Supporters can get perks ranging from stickers and tees to VIP opening access and a private drink preview.
Bar IX is also hosting a launch celebration at Detroit Shipping Co. on June 30. [Partiful]
🍝 Angelo’s Fine Italian will take over the former City Kitchen space in "The Village" commercial district in Grosse Pointe. [What Now] [Website]
The longtime steak-and-seafood spot will become pasta-forward, built around Owner Cory Barberio's Italian repertoire. Opening is targeted for sometime after Labor Day.
🧱 ICYMI: Over the weekend I posted a video of Greektown's new streetscape over on Instagram. The $20m project that makes the district more walkable and multi-purpose is nearing completion, with sections of it now open. So far, a big fan of what they did. [Daily Detroit]
🎼 Until yesterday, I didn't know that Jack White had done music for a Coca-Cola commercial. I like this one because it's all physical effects, and in this AI-saturated world it's a welcome break. Japanese art director Nagi Noda was a master.
It aired in full only once in the UK in 2006, and a cut-down version broadcast in Australia. Thanks to listener Ryan who pointed it out.
"Love is the Truth" is the track in case you're interested. [Apple Music]
🫶 If you want to keep this thing happening, become a member on Patreon. It means so much when local media, locally made, has local support.
That's it for today. Thanks so much for reading, and until next time — I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
