Detroit Retail Project Ready for Launch

Olympia’s vision for Woodward Square calls for a mix of local and national retailers.

DETROIT—A local developer expects to draw national interest when it hits next week’s International Council of Shopping Centers’ RECon conference in Las Vegas and offers up the retail space that will soon surround this city’s new hockey arena. Olympia Development of Michigan plans to finish the 180,000 square feet of retail space in September 2017, just as it also puts the finishing touches on Little Caesars Arena. The venture will be the first phase of a mixed-use project called The District, which company officials say will eventually cover the 50-square blocks around the arena and have five contiguous, walkable neighborhoods that connect an increasingly vibrant downtown with Midtown.  

“We’ve already gotten a lot of interest from many, many retailers,” Mike Atwell, vice president of leasing for Olympia, tells GlobeSt.com. One of the project’s chief attractions is that “the potential for sales will be constant.” The arena itself will host up to 180 events per year, including Detroit Red Wings hockey games, other sporting events and concerts. In addition, the retail component will be pulled back from the arena and located along a glass-covered concourse call the Via, making it comfortable for shoppers year-round. CBRE has been brought on board to help complete leasing deals.