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Plans In The Works For Site Of Former Hudson's Department Store In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - The old Hudson's department store in downtown Detroit has been just a memory since its implosion in 1998; but property owner Dan Gilbert has big plans for the space.

Gilbert has hired world-renowned architect, Vishaan Chakrabarti, to create a building that incorporates a lot of what young, hip workers want.

"We are thrilled to be working on it," said Chakrabarti."Very excited about it for the future of Detroit. We are mainly New York architects but do work around the world and so we don't know exactly what it's going to be yet, but everyone knows we have a very heavy responsibility here given the site's history."

Chakrabarti, a principal at SHoP Architects and SHoP Construction says that, "walkability is enormously important in our downtowns, especially for millennial. Millennials are not buying cars, it's hard to say that in the heart of the Motor City — in a state like Michigan — they walk and bike places."

Because of a confidentiality agreement, the actual look of the new building cannot be discussed, and there's no timetable for a groundbreaking.

SHoP will be partnering with Detroit-based Hamilton Anderson Associates to work on plans for a mix-used development on the vacant two-acre site on Woodward Avenue that is bordered by Grand River, Gratiot and Library Street in the city's Central Business District.

Hudson's store was founded in 1881 in Detroit. The site has remained vacant since the building was torn down over a decade ago.

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