World-renowned Architects Select Winners of Downtown Detroit Hudson’s Site Competition

DETROIT, June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Rock Ventures LLC and Bedrock Real Estate Services today announced the winners of Opportunity Detroit's international design competition which solicited ideas for a potential signature project on the former Hudson's Department Store site in downtown Detroit.The three winning design ideas came from Rome, Italy; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Southfield, Michigan.

The nine-week competition was a free, open call for architects, designers, planners, artists, and community members to present ideas for innovative, creative, and inspired designs for the potential future use of one of the city's most iconic sites. The competition attracted nearly 200 entries from architectural and design firms, as well as individuals, from 23 states and 22 countries.

Entrants were asked to create compelling visions for a new urban development on the vacant 92,421 square-footsite, bordered by Woodward Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, Grand River Avenue and Library Street in the heart of downtown Detroit.

From residential to retail, to concert venues and offices, the entries ran the gamut from a single story structure to a 1,000-foot high skyscraper, as entrants let their imaginations run wild. Some of the submissions pay homage to the original Hudson's Department Store by including its likeness in their design; one submission literally turned the store upside down, another included a completely green, sustainable and energy efficient building, and yet another included all made-in-Michigan materials.

"The Hudson's Department Store was once the crown jewel of downtown Detroit, and these interesting designs are displaying the possibilities of what can certainly once again grace the skyline of Detroit," said Dan Gilbert, Chairman of Rock Ventures. "By tapping into the talents of some of the most creative individuals from around the globe, we have the opportunity to create a signature project that captures the passion, grit and revival of our great American city."

Reed Kroloff, who led the competition to design the "High Line" in New York City and is Director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum near Detroit, served as the competition's advisor.

"The Hudson's site represents a microcosm of Detroit's 20th century muscle concentrated in and around one significant site," said Kroloff.

"Detroit was and still is ground-zero for innovation in so many ways. For example, Hudson's had one of the earliest Thanksgiving Day Parades, and its designers created stunning store windows that were among countless reasons Woodward Avenue was the place to shop and do business in Detroit."

According to Kroloff, the competition sought proposals that:

Juried Competition Winners A panel of five distinguished architects and urban planning experts from across the country judged the entries. The "Redesigning Detroit" competition awarded $15,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third place.

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World-renowned Architects Select Winners of Downtown Detroit Hudson's Site Competition