A Brighton-based developer is planning to build a multi-family loft apartment complex on the site of a former warehouse and manufacturing building in the south end of Royal Oak.
Kevin Wilson, president and owner of Design, Develop, Construct Enterprises LLC, joined the project last September as general contractor and represents the property’s owner, Harrison Lofts LLC, also based in Brighton. It will be Harrison Loft’s first building in metro Detroit, Wilson says.
“I’m hoping to start on the building plans come May and then start on cleanup sometime in the fall,” Wilson says. “The units will be ready for rental probably by the end of next year.” The building site is at southeast corner of Harrison and Morse avenues.
The two-building loft will include 72 to 74 units with 17- to 20-foot-high ceilings. “It will be a very cool and interesting space once it’s complete,” Wilson says.
The next step for the project is a meeting with the Royal Oak Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to be held Tuesday. The meeting will involve discussion regarding tax-increment financing and a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality low-interest loan for helping with cleanup of the site, Wilson says.
“I’ve had a good experience so far working with the city (of Royal Oak),” Wilson says. “I know they’re interested in seeing something happen with this building, which has just been sitting there for the past few years. It will certainly bring in a better tax base than just having a vacant building there.”
