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Outovation KDG Update 2023: Dreamtroit

May 26, 2023

The KDG Update – From Dreamtroit to Overmyer

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Dreamtroit, 1331 Holden St

While downtown and midtown Detroit have typically been the focus of redevelopment and media spotlights, an extraordinary project has been in the works at the edge of the New Center and NW Goldberg neighborhoods. Dreamtroit is a mixed-use complex occupying five linked historic automotive manufacturing buildings along active railroad tracks. Work started in May of 2021 and is wrapping up now. Kraemer Design Group provided architectural, interior design and historic consulting services for the project.

Lincoln Motor Company Factory, Credit: Detroit Public Library

The buildings were originally constructed for the Warren Motor Car Company, significant for its association with the early design and manufacture of automobiles in the city of Detroit in 1909. Just a few years later, this was the first factory acquired by Henry Leland when he founded the Lincoln Motor Company with a goal of building airplane engines for the U.S. government during World War I. Called “Liberty Motors,” the factory was the location where the first engine prototype was produced in 1917. Ford Motor Company moved into the building in 1922 to produce Model T sedans. Later tenants included a refrigeration company, a grocery wholesaler, and Recycle Here! a recycling center with artist studio spaces.

The project comprises nearly 110,000 square feet as well as additional uncovered exterior spaces which lie within the walls. Through selective demolition and historic restoration, including full façade restoration, large historic replica factory windows, and exposed timber and concrete structure within, the Warren Motor Car Company buildings have been converted into a vibrant mix of affordable residential apartments, artist studio spaces and commercial spaces including the expansion space for Marble Bar called Lincoln Factory and an outdoor venue space adjacent to Lincoln Art Park.

The complex features several gathering spaces including smaller communal kitchens, laundry rooms located near the artists studios and apartments, as well as a large roof deck and courtyard spaces. The development also features a small grocery store and pizza place. The buildout also includes office space for non-profit Green Living Science and a new facility for Recycle Here! which has provided Detroiters a recycling drop-off point since 2007.

A new outdoor alley space was created between Buildings 3 and 5 by removing infill framing at the second floor and roof. Two segments of the second floor and roof that remain create bridges over the new alley. These bridges were enclosed with reclaimed brick which gives them a look that is compatible and seamless with the existing buildings.

As a project with affordable housing units and low-cost artist spaces, the need for controlling costs informed most design decisions. Inventive solutions such as circular holes for cabinet pulls instead of metal hardware complement an industrial material palette that also avoids extra finishes. Lighting is kept to simple, utilitarian fixtures in most spaces but with the large industrial windows most of the apartments and studios are flooded with daylight.

The central kitchens are a key communal aspect to the development. KDG’s understanding of the specifics and the nuance of building codes and experience with presenting code items to code officials allowed us to keep a critical amenity in the project without significant compromise. The tradition of artists gathering informally in kitchens can continue in spaces that are a seamless part of the central circulation corridors.

The complex has long been workspace and meeting space for creatives and has extensive areas of murals and graffiti that Dreamtroit wanted to retain. The original master plan included demolition of Building 10 and new structures constructed of shipping containers or Quonset huts were planned. The walls of Building 10 had many of the original murals and those art walls would have to be braced as freestanding structures. Considering the amount of work involved, the masterplan for this part of the project was redesigned so that the rear bay of building 10 was retained; the space within re-programmed as workshops and storage and a new block façade was built along the parking lot with the dual purpose as a canvas for new murals.

Kraemer Design Group is excited by the transformation of this historic industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use complex, developing another important node in Detroit’s creative community.

OVM Construction Update

Construction for the rehabilitation of the Overmyer Building in the Warehouse District of Toledo is in full force. This project is an 8-story brick and concrete warehouse building originally constructed from 1912-1917 that will be converted to market-rate apartments. The structure consists of flat slab concrete floor construction supported by large octagonal concrete columns with “umbrella” type capitals. The original large factory windows are being removed and will be replaced with historic replica aluminum windows. The exterior masonry is being restored and repaired where needed. The interior brick perimeter walls have been cleaned and the concrete floors were polished. Metal framing for the corridor and apartments walls is nearly complete with drywall installation beginning on upper floors. A non-historic one-story garage was removed from the site and a new stair tower is currently being constructed. We will be sure to keep you posted on the progress as these exciting new apartments take shape.

Our collective passion for designing and reviving buildings has built our reputation in Detroit and brought us success nationwide. Our headquarters are in Detroit, MI, and we have fully licensed satellite offices in Toledo, OH and Charleston, SC. We are proud to be a part of these vibrant communities and thrilled to work on signature projects that help shape these cities and beyond.

Our employees have backgrounds of geographic employment throughout the United States and Canada. At KDG, the collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our employees invest in their work enriches our company, our projects, and our day-to-day interactions.

With projects from coast to coast, we maintain active licensure in dozens of states, and we have the credentials to receive licensure in all fifty states. We embrace the challenge of bringing new life to each element of a building – an ethos that has gained us national recognition for our award winning work.

No matter the location, we bring the same passion and Outovation to each project. We have mastered the art of combining highly technical industry experience with unparalleled creativity. This is the core of our Outovation. Above all, we’re grounded in our core pillars, bringing synergy, exactitude, ingenuity, perceptivity, and equilibrium to every project.

Project Recap – 93 Seward

Work on Midtown Square at 93 Seward Ave in Detroit is wrapping up. Kraemer Design Group served as the architect, interior designer and historic consultant on this refresh and renovation project. Intramode provided procurement services for FF&E throughout the common areas of the building. Built as the Malvern Apartments in 1926, this 73-unit building eventually fell into hard times and was vacant by the late 90’s. In 2005 the building was rehabilitated and reopened and has been continuously occupied since. Recent work included façade restoration, new finishes throughout the apartments, a new community room, a lobby and corridor refresh and improvements to the mechanical and electrical systems. Because the building was occupied throughout construction, the work was phased. This spring, the FF&E put the finishing touches on the building, offering comfortable spaces for residents to lounge and work outside of their units.

Welcome Ashely and Desiree!

Ashley

KDG recently welcomed Ashley Kipfmiller as a Junior Interior Designer! Ashley joined the team in the Fall of 2022 passionate to design creative spaces that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Ashley graduated with Honors from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Through her previous experience, she gained extensive knowledge working with commercial and high-end residential designs. This knowledge has given her insight on how people function not only at home, but also at work and in public spaces, inspiring her to create projects that fit the user’s functions and needs. To Ashley, interior design means utilizing the past to make a better future through historic preservation, selecting sustainable and environmentally conscious materials, and creating inclusive floor plans that allow all users to enjoy the space regardless of their background or abilities. In Ashley’s free time, she enjoys hanging out with her flying squirrel Frizbee, doing yoga, or rock climbing!

Desiree

We are also pleased to welcome Desiree Beckom to KDG as a summer intern! Desiree is a Detroit native studying Architecture at the University of Detroit, Mercy. She became interested in architecture in 11th grade through the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Project Pipeline and is currently in the NOMA Student Chapter. At Kraemer Design Group she will get hands-on experience working on historic adaptive re-use projects in Detroit. She has a strong interest in interior design and wants to help the community through her designs. In her free time, Desiree likes to enjoy nature and paint. She plans to travel more to explore the world, with Egypt listed at the top of her Bucket List!

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Kraemer Design Group, LLC

1420 Broadway

Detroit, MI 48226

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Outovation KDG Update 2023: Dreamtroit

Dreamtroit, 1331 Holden St

OVM Construction Update

Project Recap – 93 Seward

Welcome Ashely and Desiree!

Ashley

Desiree

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