Major Detroit Development Projects to Watch in 2026
- ALocalsGuideDetroit
- Jun 22, 2025
- 8 min read
Detroit's skyline is changing faster than it has in decades. From the transformational Hudson's Detroit development and Gordie Howe International Bridge to new hotels, entertainment venues, and healthcare campuses, billions of dollars are reshaping the city.
Whether you're a visitor planning a trip, a former Detroiter keeping tabs on the city, or simply curious about Detroit's revitalization, these are the major Detroit development projects to watch in 2026.
Last Updated: June 2026
Major Detroit Development Projects in 2026
Hudson's Detroit Development
The 12-story office building of the Hudson's Detroit project is expected to open this year and "welcome a variety of tenants and events," said Kofi Bonner, CEO of its owner, Bedrock. General Motors will be among the first tenants as the automaker has said it expects to move in by January 2026 and occupy the top four floors of the mixed-use office, retail and event space structure. It stands next to the 685.4-foot-tall skyscraper currently under construction, including work underway on the Detroit Edition hotel and The Residences at the Detroit Edition luxury condos. Bedrock has said availability will start in 2027.
June 2026 Status: Partially Open
The 12-story office building opened in phases in 2025.
General Motors officially began moving into its new headquarters in January 2026.
Retail tenants are opening.
The Detroit EDITION Hotel and luxury residences remain under development.
Condo pre-sales are underway.
JW Marriott Detroit Waterfront Hotel
Construction continues through the winter on the waterfront hotel Detroit-based Sterling Group is building on the site of the former Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. The project remains on track to open in early 2027 before the NCAA Final Four at Ford Field, said Claude Molinari, chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. The authority oversees Huntington Place, which will be connected to the hotel via a skybridge.
SJune 2026 tatus: Under Construction
Construction continues on the former Joe Louis Arena site.
The hotel remains targeted to open before the 2027 NCAA Final Four.
A skybridge will connect it to Huntington Place.
In District Detroit, the University of Michigan is constructing the University of Michigan Center for Innovation. The effort has been supported by a $100 million donation from Stephen Ross and land donation from Olympia Development. The project is expected to bring innovation and research space to the city and foster growth in fields like technology and medicine.
The $250 million project at 2121 Cass will have a greater physical presence with construction this year, said Scott Shireman, director of UMCI. The building is on track to open in 2027.
“We’re making good progress and it’s exciting to see the frame of the building going up," he said. "We’ve been actively doing work over this past year. We laid the foundation. Now, we’re kind of building up the skeleton structure of the building. We’ve started building the steel structure out of the ground.”
June 2026 Status: Under Construction
Major construction is ongoing at District Detroit.
Opening remains scheduled for 2027.
Supported by Stephen Ross and Olympia Development.
Henry Ford Future of Health
Henry Ford Health is making progress on its multi-faceted $3 billion Future of Health project, which also involves the Detroit Pistons and Michigan State University. In addition to a $2 billion hospital expansion, plans include a new research center with Michigan State University, a 20-story patient tower, a commercial corridor with two new residential buildings and a parking garage.
The expansion of Henry Ford Hospital broke ground in the fall and will include new hospital beds, operating rooms and an emergency room, totaling 1.2 million square feet of space altogether. The building is under construction with footing, civil work and site work, said Jerry Darby, vice president of campus planning, development and design for Henry Ford Health. “We expect in 2025 by mid-year to start with steel and vertical construction,” he said. The hospital is projected to be completed by mid-2029 and open by the end of that year.
June 2026 Status: Major Construction Underway
The $3 billion project is progressing.
Structural work is underway.
Completion remains projected for late 2029.
Gratiot Technology District
The initial phase of development on Bedrock’s 14-acre site at Gratiot is expected to start in 2025 with the construction of a 220,000-square-foot Life Science Innovation Building, Bonner said. The venture at the failed jail site is in partnership with incoming tenants BAMF Health, Michigan Innovation Headquarters, Ferris State University, Wayne State University and its TechTown Detroit. BAMF hopes to welcome patients in 2027, Bonner said.
June 2026 Bedrock's life sciences district continues site preparation.
Anchor tenants remain committed.
BAMF Health expects a 2027 opening.
Cadillac Square Redevelopment
Construction on Bedrock's long-awaited Development at Cadillac Square is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025. It sits between Monroe and Randolph Streets, adjacent to Campus Martius Park. Part of the development includes Cosm Detroit, an immersive technology, media and entertainment venue operator that will bring its Shared Reality live sports and entertainment concept to Cadillac Square. The venue is set to break ground in 2025 and open in 2026.
June 2026 Status: Construction Underway
Work has begun.
Cosm Detroit remains targeted for a 2026 opening.
Renaissance Center Redevelopment
Another significant project in Detroit to keep an eye on is the proposed partial demolition and redevelopment of the Renaissance Center. GM, partnering with Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock Detroit, has proposed a $1.6 billion renovation plan that includes tearing down two of the towers — 300 and 400 — and repurposing underutilized spaces. Requests for public funding for the project could continue in 2025. GM and Bedrock have said they’re looking for $350 million in public support, with $250 million from the state and $100 million from the Downtown Development Authority.
June 2026 Status: Proposed / Approvals Advancing
Bedrock and GM continue pursuing the $1.6 billion redevelopment.
Funding commitments have progressed.
The plan still includes demolition of Towers 300 and 400 and riverfront improvements.
Little Caesars Arena Hotel
The District Detroit development consists of 10 new builds and renovation projects, including the 14-floor Little Caesars Arena Hotel. The Hotel will have 291 guest rooms and be located in downtown Detroit just south of the arena. The developers are planning to break ground sometime in 2025.
June 2026 Status: Planning Phase
Developers continue preparing the project.
Groundbreaking has not yet occurred.
Will get guest accommodations when they convert office space into 177 hotel rooms.
June 2026 Status: Planning
Conversion plans remain active.
No major construction updates have been announced.
Merchants Building Hotel
Built in 1922 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, will be transformed into a 130-room boutique hotel with office space and ground-floor retail.
June 2026 Status: Proposed
Redevelopment planning continues.
Future timelines remain fluid.
After opening almost 100 years ago, is getting an update with a $125 million expansion. By spring 2027, a new seven-story, 100,000-square-foot structure will be built next to the original building at the corner of Brush and Madison and will feature a new concert hall, recital hall, and recording and practice studios.
June 2026 Status: Under Development
The $125 million expansion remains on track.
Completion is still anticipated in 2027.
Detroit City Football Club’s New Soccer Stadium
In 2027, soccer fans can expect to enjoy at the site of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital at Michigan Avenue and 20th Street; it will serve as the club and city’s permanent home for exciting soccer games. The groundbreaking is slated for spring 2025.
June 2026 Groundbreaking activities have commenced.
The stadium remains targeted for a 2027 debut.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will link Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, is now visible on Google Maps and has a new roadside sign installed ahead of its planned fall 2025 opening. The bridge’s entry signage can be seen along Interstate 75 in southwest Detroit. Once finished, the 1.5-mile bridge will offer six traffic lanes and a toll-free pedestrian and bicycle path, making it the first international crossing to support both vehicle and nonmotorized traffic across the Detroit River.
June 2026 This is the biggest update.
The bridge itself is finished.
Testing and commissioning have been completed.
A June 2026 opening was expected.
The official opening has been delayed due to unresolved cross-border issues between the United States and Canada.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park is on track to open to the public in October 2025, taking its place as another significant piece of Detroit’s revitalization. The park, named after 54-year owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, is a testament to Wilson’s appreciation for Detroit – the city where he grew up and called home. Wilson, a philanthropist, left behind a legacy and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, has become the park’s main financial backer.
The Detroit waterfront parcel and its 22 acres of once little used, flat greenspace along W. Jefferson Ave. is no more. The unproductive space has been replaced by a sloping hill for winter sledding and summertime movie viewing, a lush two-acre water garden, and a Copenhagen inspired play area for kids. Additionally, there will be two basketball courts. This dynamic park has something for all ages.
June 2026 Status: Open
The park officially opened in 2025.
Visitors can now enjoy:
the water garden,
sledding hill,
basketball courts,
children's play areas,
expanded riverfront access.
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building Redevelopment
Status: Under Construction
The landmark federal building at 477 Michigan Avenue is undergoing a major modernization and redevelopment. The project is expected to bring new office space and increased activity to the west side of downtown.
Expected Completion: 2027.
The Reckmeyer
Status: Under Construction
Located at 1320 Broadway, this historic redevelopment will bring new residential units to Detroit's entertainment district.
Expected Completion: 2026.
The Belle
Status: Under Construction
Another Broadway redevelopment project, The Belle will add new housing to downtown Detroit as part of the city's growing residential base.
Expected Completion: 2027.
2205 Cass / UMCI Residential Tower
Status: Under Construction
Adjacent to the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, this residential tower is helping transform District Detroit into a mixed-use neighborhood supporting students, faculty, and tech workers.
Expected Completion: 2027.
Detroit Solar Neighborhood Initiative
Status: Moving Forward
One of Detroit's lesser-known but potentially transformative projects involves the development of neighborhood solar fields across vacant land in the city.
The initiative covers approximately 165 acres in several Detroit neighborhoods and aims to:
Reduce blight,
Generate renewable energy,
Provide energy-efficiency improvements to nearby residents.
The city is transitioning portions of the program to DTE Energy after the original developer exited the market.
Detroit Development Projects Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest Detroit development projects in 2026?
Detroit's largest projects include Hudson's Detroit, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Henry Ford Future of Health, the JW Marriott waterfront hotel, and Renaissance Center redevelopment.
When will Hudson's Detroit open?
The office portion is expected to open in 2025, while the hotel and residential components continue toward later phases.
When does the Gordie Howe Bridge open?
The bridge is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
What is the University of Michigan Center for Innovation?
The District Detroit project will bring research, innovation, and educational space to downtown Detroit.
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