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Detroit office tower wins permit for condominium conversion

Detroit office tower wins permit for condominium conversion

Built World Detroit, MI local

The 37th floor at 1208 Woodward Ave is part of a 96-unit condominium collection taking shape in the Hudson's tower.

October 19th, 2026: Permit issued for 37th floor condo conversion

Overview

Updated Nov 1

The City of Detroit issued a $3.9 million building permit on October 19, 2026, for an interior build-out on the 37th floor at 1208 Woodward Ave that changes the space's use to a condominium. The address is Hudson's Detroit, the tower built on the block where the J.L. Hudson department store once stood.

That floor is one piece of The Residences at The Detroit EDITION, 96 condominiums planned for floors 26 through 45 with one- to four-bedroom layouts. Prices start in the $600,000s, pre-sales are open at a sales gallery on Woodward Avenue, and the hotel and residences are scheduled to open in 2027.

Why it matters

Downtown Detroit's newest tower is testing whether buyers will pay $600,000 and up to own a condo there rather than rent.

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Key Indicators

$3.9 million
Contractor's estimated cost
The cost listed on the permit for the 37th-floor interior build-out.
96
Condominiums planned
Units in The Residences at The Detroit EDITION, on floors 26 through 45 of the tower.
$600,000s
Starting price
Bedrock's stated starting price for the condominiums.
37th floor
Floor under permit
The floor covered by permit BLD2026-01491.
2027
Planned opening
Target opening for the hotel and residences, as announced by Bedrock.

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Organizations Involved

City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Municipal Department
Permit issuer

The city department responsible for issuing building permits and enforcing construction codes.
Bedrock Detroit
Bedrock Detroit
Real estate development firm
Developer of Hudson's Detroit; taking pre-sales for 96 condominiums

Real estate developer that owns and is building Hudson's Detroit, including the condominiums covered by the 37th-floor permit.

Timeline

March 2026 October 2026

2 events Latest: October 19th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago

  1. Permit issued for 37th floor condo conversion

    Latest Legal & Policy

    City of Detroit issues building permit BLD2026-01491 for an interior build-out to create a condominium on the 37th floor of 1208 Woodward Ave.

  2. Bedrock launches pre-sales for The Residences at The Detroit EDITION

    Business

    Bedrock announced pre-sales for 96 condominiums in the Hudson's Detroit tower. The one- to four-bedroom units range from 720 to more than 4,500 square feet, and the project is slated to open in 2027.

Scenarios

1

Condominium units are listed and sold

Possible Resolves by Oct 19, 2027

Discussed by: Detroit real estate analysts

The conversion proceeds, and the condominium units on the 37th floor are completed and offered for sale. This would signal a strong market for high-end residential ownership in downtown Detroit and could lead to more conversions in the tower.

2

Conversion stalls after permit issuance

Uncertain Resolves by Oct 19, 2027

Discussed by: Detroit real estate news

The permit is issued, but the build-out does not commence or is halted. This could be due to financing issues, market changes, or shifts in the developer's strategy. The permit would remain an unfulfilled administrative action.

3

Detroit City Council approves tax certificates for the 96 condos

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Detroit City Planning Commission and City Council

The city's planning staff recommended approval of 96 Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificate applications filed by Woodward Avenue Condominium LLC, a Bedrock affiliate. Approval would set the tax treatment for the units and, per the filing, trigger a larger affordable-housing commitment across Bedrock's portfolio.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

July 1983

Hudson's Department Store Closing (1983)

The iconic J.L. Hudson's Department Store, once the world's tallest department store at 25 stories and 2.2 million square feet, closed its doors. The building sat vacant for decades, becoming a symbol of Detroit's decline before its demolition in 2017.

Then

Downtown Detroit lost its largest retailer, leaving a massive vacant structure in the city's core.

Now

The site remained empty for over 30 years. Its redevelopment became a major goal for city planners and investors, culminating in the new Hudson's Detroit mixed-use project.

Why this matters now

The new permit is for the modern replacement of a site that was vacant for decades. It shows the progression from a symbol of blight to a functioning, mixed-use tower, with residential use now being added.

Sources

(7)
+1
City of Detroit Data Portal Bedrock Detroit DBusiness WWJ Newsradio Detroit Free Press Associated Press Bedrock Detroit