Living Spaces
DESIGNING SPACES FOR MODERN LIVING
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About Us
Firm Introduction
Hobbs+Black Architects, founded in 1965, is one of the top 10 largest architectural firms in Michigan and nationally recognized as one of the Top 300 Design Firms by Architectural Record (2019). Over 70 dedicated professionals provide architectural, interior design, and related consulting services from our offices in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing, and Phoenix Our diversified practice meets design challenges that often require extensive research and innovation. As a full-service architecture firm, we provide our clients with complete support from conceptual study to construction administration, including the following:
Facility Audit and Site Analysis
Site Planning, Design, and Zoning
Facility Programming
Master Planning
Architectural Design
Space Planning
Contract Document Development
Interior Design and Procurement
Signage Design and Implementation
Relocation Management
Post Occupancy Evaluation
LEED Design and Management
Project Experience & Approach
To achieve success in today’s market, each project must be approached with a focus on balancing scope, quality, and budget as well as creative planning. To achieve this objective, the owner’s participation in the design process is critical. Our design team knows buildings, but only those who manage and operate your existing facilities on a daily basis know every detail of how a new facility will be used. In a dynamic process, we combine your ideas and knowledge about your operation with our expertise and vision of design. The result is a solution that is strategic, affordable, and comprehensive
Interior Design
The Hobbs+Black Interior Design Studio has an award-winning portfolio exhibiting projects from a diverse group of clients that span several business sectors Our ability to successfully resolve and surpass the goals of our clients stems from our approach.
Core Values
Smaller Teams
t’s the pizza principle: don’t have meetings arger than you can feed with one pizza Trust & efficiency trend as a result
Share Work
Bigger ideas in rougher layouts, weeks sooner, results in deeper collaboration.
Emotional Logic
We believe people must feel something efore they do something It’s why we wrap strategic messages with emotional truth
Further Faster
When you add these people-powered omponents together, your project flies with less jet fuel
Practical Strategy
Strategy should be based on human truths, project pllars and applied with simplicity
Vic Village North
Ann Arbor, MI
Located adjacent to The University of Michigan central campus, Vic North is designed as a 132,000-square-foot development on the north side of South University Street and is the newest luxury, mixed-use high-rise in the South University district of Ann Arbor The building includes 57 apartment units ranging from two to six bedrooms per apartment, aimed primarily at housing university students.
Amenities include roof-top patios with interior lounges, fitness and yoga rooms, and study areas
The first floor of the building continues the tradition of retail frontage shopping and dining that South University area has long been known for.
340 Depot Street
Ann Arbor, MI
The owner of the property at 340 Depot Street in Ann Arbor,MI is working with Hobbs+Black Architects to redevelop the property into a mixed-use building. The rooftop is designed as a green roof with a portion dedicated as a common terrace
The parcel previously housed a 1,300 sf one-story building, which was demolished in preparation for the new building. The proposed two story project will include approximately 8,000 sf including ground level retail, commercial and limited parking; second level 4 residential units with north facing terraces The commercial office space will be occupied by the owner of the building while the retail space is being developed as a small bodega to serve the heavily residential neighborhood and the Ann Arbor Trail Station across the street.
The development was submitted to the City of Ann Arbor as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) in order to allow for stronger street wall concept along Depot Street As part of the justification the project design and construction will include several green strategies aligning with the city’s initiatives. The new green roof will surround a small rood top terrace that will serve as common space for the commercial and residential units
The development will improve nearby parking and create a newly engaged street front for enhanced pedestrian experience to assist in strengthening the downtown charatcter of area and its proximity to downtown.
The Townes at the Trail of West Bloomfield Township
West Bloomfield Township, MI
The proposed development consists of 107 apartment type, condominium style units in on a 10 acre site located at the corner of Walnut Rd and Haggerty Rd in West Bloomfield Township, MI The development maximizes the area on the parcel surrounding an existing pond and wetlands Backed up to the regional bike trail, the internal circulation provides easy access and site amenities to complement.
The apartments are three story units with one or two car garages which face the rear of the building The first floor has a main entry and a full flex/bonus room The two different style units mixed throughout the complex provide for a variety of options for residents, with amenities including a community fitness building and pool/patio area
Townes at the Trail in West Bloomfield
Fort Shelby
Detroit, MI
The historic Fort Shelby Hotel is composed of the 10 story tower, originally constructed in 1917, and the 22 story tower addition completed in 1927. It has been vacant since the 1970s. The architect for the 10 story tower was Schmidt, Garden & Martin of Chicago. The architect for the 22 story tower was Albert Kahn.
Floors 1-10 and portions of the basement house a Doubletree Suites (Hilton) Hotel with 204 units total The 2nd floor and portions of the basement contain IACC Certified conference center facilities. The commercial/retail component of the project is composed of a mix of a restaurant, club, café, nightclub, and health center A commercial grade kitchen is incorporated into the premises to accommodate the cooking needs of the commercial and hotel uses The 11th - 22nd floors are used for residential rental apartments, meeting HUD standards (63 units total).
Both towers are composed of similar materials for their exteriors but have distinctly different architectural character once they reach the upper levels. All the existing windows were replaced and exterior finishes rehabilitated, including tuck-pointing of the masonry and terracotta evaluation and replacement This project was financed through HUD, Historic Development tax credits, Brownfield credits, and private financing
Fort Shelby
Fort Shelby
Liberty Lofts
Ann Arbor, MI
The adaptive reuse of the historic Eaton Building site, once an industrial assembly plant, involved the transformation of an abandoned building into Liberty Lofts, a luxury residential project.
The project includes a five-story addition, as well as a massive renovation to the remaining structures. Updates to the existing historic structures include the transformation of the entrance and lobby area, as well as rooftop penthouses or balconies to each loft. The shell of the aging building was restored by replacing the steel sash windows and repairing the cast-in-place concrete frame and brick façade The addition creates a contemporary loft living space while still evoking similar architectural elements and details of the existing structure.
Elements such as concrete pillars and exposed brick walls provide an architectural contrast between the building’s industrial history and its current residential use
Brownfield and flood plain conditions both meant that living spaces could not be located on the first floor. Instead, the first floor includes an expansive lobby,
Wellington on Willow Canton, MI
This new multifamily development is being developed on Lotz Road in Canton, Mi. The project consists of 267 dwelling units distributed among 30 individual buildings in both townhome and stacked ranch unit types The development was careful to conserve natural areas and integrated water detention into the planning The buildings were designed in a tasteful approach by merging traditional residential styling and contemporary materiality. Hobbs+Black also designed
The Lafer Building
Detroit, MI
The Lafer Building was designed by Joseph Mills in 1916 at a cost of approximately $42,000. The building itself is a nine-story, flatroofed commercial building located on the broad expanse of Broadway Avenue in Detroit Hobbs+Black was selected to adapt the historic City-owned Lafer Building into a mixed-use development The first level will retain its historic presence as a commercial entity. The upper floors, previously dedicated to storage, will be converted into sixteen residential units. Further, the renovation will restore the defining exterior architectural materials and character The first floor commercial storefront will be restored and more accurately reflect the intent and character of the original The wood windows, the existing brick and terracotta façade will remain and be rehabilitated to its original state. In general, this project affords a wonderful opportunity within the City of Detroit through the adaptive reuse strategy of converting a long-vacant, City-owned property and structure into highdensity contemporary housing development
Vic Village South
Ann Arbor, MI
Vic Village South, the sister property to the completed Vic Village North project, is a mixed-use, thirteenstory high-rise located in the South University district at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor The building offers student housing apartments and living amenities such as a CrossFit gym, study rooms, lounge spaces, below ground parking garage, game room, a penthouse sky lounge, technology lounge, and first-floor leasable retail space. By blending the balance between interior and exterior living spaces through roof-top patios and gathering spaces, the completion of this project continues to develop the South University district into a central hub that encourages students and local Ann Arbor residents alike to enjoy the walking paths, parks, shopping and dining this City is known for
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Mill Creek Residential Development
Ann Arbor, MI
First Martin is looking to expand and renovate the existing Mill Creek Apartments on the south side of Ann Arbor, MI. The project will include the addition of a community building, 4 new residential buildings, and a renovation to the exterior of the existing townhomes
Living Space includes:
4 new, 3-story stacked flat apartment buildings incorporating approximately 104 new units into the project in multiple phases of construction 1 new community building with offices, gathering space, fitness, locker rooms, laundry and dog washing station, including a new resort style pool and recreation area.
Towers on Grand Apartments
Lansing, MI
The "Towers on Grand" project in Lansing, part of the New Vision Lansing development, is a 26story residential glass tower that will be the tallest building in the city. The tower will feature 292 apartments, including 150 designated as workforce housing, and various amenities like lounges, a gym, and outdoor spaces The project also includes an attached parking structure and improved public access to the riverfront. The development aims to revitalize downtown Lansing by attracting new residents and businesses.
Woodview Commons
Scio Township, MI
Woodview Commons is an emerging mixed-use community in Scio Township, designed to offer residents a blend of modern living, community amenities, and sustainable features Set on 90 acres, the development includes a range of residential options: townhomes, attached ranches, and stacked flats, catering to various lifestyles and preferences. Central to the design is a multifunctional clubhouse featuring a pool, spa, event space, BBQ area, fitness center, and pickleball courts, providing residents with spaces for relaxation, recreation, and social gatherings
This thoughtfully planned community integrates eco-conscious elements to support sustainable living. Each garage includes EV charging stations. The community layout promotes walkability and connection to green spaces
Commons
The Balmoral Birmingham, MI
This development consists of a new, five-story, multi-use, high-rise building containing one floor of flexible retail space for services such as banking and restaurant; two floors of office space, one floor of commercial space, and one residential unit An additional level of underground provides on-site parking for 40 vehicles Site modifications included new concrete sidewalks and parking adjacent to Woodward Avenue
150 Bagley Street Detroit, MI
Hobbs+Black was hired to convert the 18-story office portion of the United Artist Building located at 150 Bagley Street in Detroit into an apartment building that will include miscellaneous retail shell, storage, and amenities
The work includes the basement level which will house storage and retail shell. The first level will be primarily retail shell and apartment amenities. Levels two through 18 will be apartments.
The scope of work includes all phases of architectural services from conceptual through to construction administration.
Sloan Plaza Unit 205
Ann Arbor, MI
Sloan Plaza Unit 205 is a conversion of an office suite into a new Ann Arbor home for the clients Taking advantage of the southern exposure, the unit’s living spaces are lined with windows. The open floor plan is designed for entertaining with an open kitchen and space for the grand piano The residence includes one large master bedroom suite and an additional office space that can be converted into sleeping quarters for visiting family and friends.
