Joe Louis Arena site to begin pre-leasing

BY KIRK PINHO

Residents are expected to start moving into the new residential tower on the former Joe Louis Arena site on the Detroit River next February after touring and pre-leasing begins this summer.

e developer behind the 25-story high-rise has long been mum about the project, which has been under construction for more than a year with little being revealed on the plan outside of public documents led with the city.

Danny Samson, chief development o cer for Detroit-based Sterling Group, said in an interview in the company’s headquarters at the Fort Washington Plaza high-rise that the 496-unit building is primarily comprised of studio and one-bedroom units on oors two through 24, and the 25th oor will have two-bedroom penthouses.

Rents in the building, referred to as e Residences at Water Square, have not been nalized yet, though they will be market rate with no units classi ed as a ordable under federal guidelines.

pulled the cover o the rst piece of the $950 million redevelopment project Tuesday.

Once a symbol of blight, the former Detroit Public Schools building that housed textbooks at 2231 Dalzelle has been completely reimagined for the future.

Newlab has secured 25 startups consisting of 150 members, which began working in the building gradually over the past couple months. Once full, it is expected to house 1,100-1,400 people, including 30 Newlab employees, Belt said. Construction inside the building is expected to be complete in June.