West Village bank rehab to feature sushi restaurant, wine bar, and florist (plus lofts!)

A charcuterie and wine bar, Brix; a full-service sushi restaurant, Sushi Ono; and a florist, Goodness Gracious Alive, have been confirmed as the retail tenants of the newly-rehabbed Bank Building in West Village. The development also consists of two market-rate loft apartments, which Curbed reported in November will rent for $1,500 per month.

Much of the interior work of the old bank building at the corner of Kercheval and Van Dyke avenues was completed over the last six months, and according to organizers, exterior work will be finished by spring 2016. A Dec. 3 dedication ceremony was held at the building to celebrate the redevelopment and included a visit from Mayor Mike Duggan, among other officials and stakeholders. The mayor touts the project as an example of development happening outside of downtown and Midtown, one occurring in the city's neighborhoods.

Banyan Investments is the developer of the project. Banyan CEO Aamir Farooqi says the development is an example of "turning disused buildings into proud and productive assets for the larger community."

The Detroit-based Banyan restores, rents, manages, and sells residential and commercial property throughout the city. Another of its restoration projects, West Village Manor, is located just a few blocks away from the bank building. West Village Manor houses such businesses as Detroit Vegan Soul, Red Hook Coffee, and Tarot & Tea. Banyan is currently repairing the building and says that once improvements are completed, the project will increase residential and commercial capacity in the neighborhood.

In addition to the redeveloped retail and residential units, Banyan is building an adjacent structure on the south side of the bank. The newly-constructed building will house a restored Detroit streetcar, which will also host retail. Improved parking and a landscaped piazza are also planned for the site.

The newly-converted bank building is located at 7960 Kercheval Ave.

Writer: MJ Galbraith

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