DETROIT, Nov. 25, 2013 Rock Ventures today announced it has selected SHoP Architects as the architect of record to lead the design process for the 2-acre site of the former Hudson’s department store in downtown Detroit. Headquartered in New York City, SHoP will partner with Detroit-based Hamilton Anderson Associates (HAA) to create a concept for a signature development on Woodward
These two firms, known as premier urban catalysts, were chosen for their innovation and creativity, as well as their track record of committing to community engagement.We believe SHoP and Hamilton Anderson will join a long list of distinguished architects including Yamasaki, Burnham and Kahn who have created landmark buildings in Detroit that stand the test of time, said Jeff Cohen, founder, Rock Companies LLC, a member of the Rock Ventures Family of Companies.
SHoP is the architect on dozens of world-renowned projects like the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, where the world’s tallest modular housing towers â also designed by SHoP â are under construction. The modules are being fabricated in a nearby factory setting with the Brooklyn Navy Yard and point to a promising new frontier for urban manufacturing. Hamilton Anderson’s notable Detroit area projects include the Tech One Building at the TechTown Research and Technology Park, Wayne State University Welcome Center and the award-winning North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The selection of SHoP comes on the heels of a global architectural ideas competition for architects, designers, planners, artists and the public hosted by Rock Ventures in March 2013. This competition was designed to reengage the community with the Hudson’s site and attract and exhibit ideas for the potential future use of this key location. The competition attracted more than 200 entries from across the globe. To see all of the design ideas, winners and learn more about the competition visit http://hudsons.opportunitydetroit.com. Judging for the Hudson’s site ideas competition took place in June of this year with interviews of several additional architectural firms occurring over the past few months.
“In visiting Detroit, we’ve experienced the zeal and sense of entrepreneurship that underpins a vibrant urban environment. Through our inclusive design process and engagement with academia, we look forward to becoming part of the local culture and conducting a dialogue about the future of downtown,” said William Sharples, SHoP Principal.
The Hudson’s block is historic and full of symbolism for Detroiters everywhere; it is the emotional and physical heart of downtown, said Kent H. Anderson, Principal, Hamilton Anderson Associates. This project has the capacity to link disparate parts of downtown and become a catalyst for change and development beyond its immediate surroundings.
Originally an eight story building constructed in 1891, Hudson’s Department Store was an iconic fixture in downtown Detroit and a shopping destination for millions of Michiganders for nearly a century. With frequent additions, it grew to 25 stories and 2.2 million square feet before closing in 1983. The building was imploded in 1998.
