On September 16, 2020, residential options in greater downtown Detroit, Michigan expanded with the commencement of leasing at The Press/321 (321 W. Lafayette Blvd.), located within the historic Albert Kahn-designed former Detroit Free Press building.
The Press/321’s 105 residential units ranging from studios to 3-bedrooms are now available for lease. It will boast the Midwest’s first fully automated parking system powered by AUTOParkit, and a rooftop pool with a sundeck and gas grills, which will provide residents with sweeping panoramic views of downtown and the Detroit River.
Equipped with a state-of-of-the-art fitness center, community work lounge, conference room, fiber internet and bike storage- the amenities are vast in this timeless property. Each apartment offers a spacious floor plan, expansive windows, stainless steel appliances, an accent wall and picturesque archways. Studios start at $995 with move-ins beginning in mid-October of this year.
“We could not be more thrilled to welcome residents into The Press/321 property and bring life back to one of Detroit’s architectural gems, which has sat vacant since 1998,” said Jonathan Mueller, Bedrock’s Director of Residential Development. “Our priority was to uphold the aesthetic elements of the Albert-Kahn building while tailoring the living experience for our future residents.”
Constructed in 1925, The Press/321 originally served as the in-house production facility for Michigan’s oldest newspaper – the Detroit Free Press. The 14-story, 250,000-square-foot limestone building has since been reimagined into a modern, mixed-use residential development.
An outdoor rooftop pool offering expansive views of the city on the seventh floor will be completed later this year and will be ready for the Spring 2021 season. Designed with Myrtha Pools, a leader in the aquatics industry, the pool will have a stainless steel structural base with comfortable soft foam flooring. When complete, The Press/321 will boast the second outdoor pool in Detroit’s Central Business District.
Adding to the wide array of amenities in the property, Bedrock has partnered with Dasher Lawless LLC and AUTOParkit to develop the Midwest’s first fully autonomous garage in the basement of The Press/321. The build out of the garage will be complete mid-2021 and will be available for residential and commercial use.
Designed by Bedrock’s in-house architecture team in tandem with Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group, the landmark building maintains many of its traditional features while incorporating contemporary design. Magnificent artwork encompasses the ceiling and many historic relics from the property have been restored and are being showcased, giving residents a gallery-like experience right in their home.
“The Detroit Free Press Building has been a part of the fabric of the city for almost a century, and we treasure the opportunities to preserve significant historic buildings and continue their legacy by transforming them into something new,” said Laura Mitchell, Project Architect, Kraemer Design Group.
“The team was presented with a unique design challenge with this building by altering the use and adding basement parking and the rooftop pool while maintaining and restoring the historic elements,” she added.
The public will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the building with live virtual tours of The Press/321 and the City Modern development in Brush Park as part of official programming for the 10th annual Detroit Month of Design.
The free tours will offer the public an insight into the design, construction, restoration, and apartments of each property as well as delve into the storied history of each location.
“The Brush Park Historic District and the old Detroit Free Press Building hold a special place in the heart of Detroiters, and we are excited to have the opportunity to show them how we have transformed these locations,” said Melissa Dittmer, Chief Design Officer at Bedrock.
“Not only can potential residents get a sneak peek into their future home, but architecture enthusiasts, former Brush Park residents and all others who are interested will hear from experts on how these projects were made possible,” she concluded.
Bedrock officials, local architects, property experts and community members will narrate the tours, sharing personal anecdotes and in-depth details about what makes these properties iconic residential developments.
All images courtesy of Bedrock.