An $8.5 million renovation of Detroit’s Eastern Market Shed 5 has been completed and will open on Saturday. The makeover addressed long-term needs, including upgrades to the physical and mechanical components of the building while adding a community kitchen, an indoor event space, and an outdoor plaza.
“This transforms the way Eastern Market interacts with the community, helping to set a national standard for regional food hubs,” says Dan Carmody, president of Eastern Market Corp., the nonprofit organization that operates the market.
The community kitchen will offer rentable, commercial space for start-ups, established chefs, businesses, and the public. In addition to offering a venue to prepare food for events, family reunions, and an array of other activities, the kitchen will be used to host cooking classes.
“This is our third major shed completion since 2006, with $16 million in (total) investment and, by far, our most transformational because of the impact the market and surrounding district can now (make in the community),” Carmody says.
The outdoor DTE Energy Foundation Plaza will seat 200 people, and will offer space to eat, listen to music, and hold special events.
In recent years, Eastern Market renovated Shed 2 into a covered, open-air space for farmers and customers to come together, as well as Shed 3, a large enclosed facility that serves food growers and the public as well as hosting events. Years ago, Shed 1 was demolished and converted into a large parking lot.
