Bedrock Adds Large Manufacturing and Distribution Tenant in Southwest Detroit

Bedrock, Detroit’s largest real estate developer, has announced a five-year agreement with Diversified Synergies (DSL) to lease approximately 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space at 201 Waterman.
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Bedrock has signed a five year agreement with Diversified Synergies to occupy space in its space at 201 Waterman in the Del Ray neighborhood in Detroit. // Courtesy of Bedrock
Bedrock has signed a five year agreement with Diversified Synergies to occupy space in its space at 201 Waterman in the Del Ray neighborhood in Detroit. // Courtesy of Bedrock

Bedrock, Detroit’s largest real estate developer, has announced a five-year agreement with Diversified Synergies (DSL) to lease approximately 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space at 201 Waterman.

Located in the Delray neighborhood, the Bedrock-owned Fort Street Industrial Campus — formerly named the Sakthi Industrial Campus — is expected to open as early as July 2022 and will create more than 1,000 full-time jobs at full operating capacity.

Bedrock acquired the former Sakthi Industrial Campus in September 2020. The nearly 37-acre acquisition includes approximately 529,000 square feet of industrial and manufacturing space, 89,000 square feet of office and flex space, along with more than 10 acres of developable land.

Diversified Synergies kits, packages, and distributes products for pharmaceutical, food, and consumer goods for Fortune 500 companies. DSL is a joint venture between Staffing Synergies Inc., and Diversified Chemical Technology Inc. (DCTI). DSL’s corporate headquarters is in Highland Park.

The lease with DSL further emphasizes the importance and demand for modern industrial facilities in Detroit. The Delray Industrial District is currently home to LM Manufacturing and Magna and now, DSL, and it continues to highlight the accelerated revitalization efforts in the local community.

“Bedrock’s announcement that Diversified Synergies will be bringing another 1,000 good paying jobs to this formerly vacant site in the Delray neighborhood is great news for Detroit,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “Between major employers like Stellantis, Ford’s Train Station project, and now the Fort Street industrial campus, as well as others, we have attracted nearly 15,000 good paying jobs outside of our downtown and Midtown area.

“Our team at Detroit at Work will be working closely with Diversified Synergies to help ensure that Detroit residents have access to these new employment opportunities at this new southwest Detroit employment center.”

Both companies are African American owned and certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). Combined, they offer hundreds of years of experience in manufacturing, kitting, and packaging.

“In other locations across the country, finding workers is often the most challenging problem, whereas, in Detroit, there is a readily available labor pool. This packaging distribution facility is an opportunity for Bedrock and DSL to provide a substantial number of new local jobs,” says Doug Crawley, CEO of DSL.

“Our goals are to pay a living wage, provide training and opportunities for career advancement, and to finds ways to give back to the community. We look forward to working together to make a difference in Detroit.”

DSL states one of its core values is its commitment to community engagement and employee investment. Diversified Synergies is a diverse and inclusive working environment and a second-chance employer.

“I am excited to welcome Diversified Synergies to Detroit. This move both supports our decision to add industrial assets to our growing portfolio and highlights the need for more modern industrial facilities in Detroit. The commitment of the owners of this company to Detroit is gratifying and is evidenced by their focus on hiring from and within the city,” says Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock.

“What really excites me is knowing that when both our new tenants at the industrial facilities, Diversified Synergies and LM Manufacturing, are operating at near full capacities there will be almost 1,500 new hires, with well-paid sustainable jobs. As we work to increase job opportunities in Detroit, we will continue to grow our industrial base with more like-minded employers.”

Bedrock is a full-service real estate firm specializing in innovative city-building strategies, reaching far beyond the boundaries of bricks and mortar. Since its founding in 2011, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties in Detroit and Cleveland, including landmark developments at the Hudson’s Site, the Book Tower restoration, City Modern, and the May Company Building.

Bedrock’s portfolio totals more than 22 million square feet of office, retail, and residential space within new construction and adaptive reuse projects.

For more information on Bedrock’s projects, visit bedrockdetroit.com.

Click here to view a complete timeline of Bedrock and the Rock Family of Cos.’ engagement within the Detroit community.