Kraemer Design Group wraps up work on M@dison Block, moves on to Woodward

Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group has completed historic designation consulting, architectural and interior design projects at two properties on the recently re-christened "M@dison Block" at 1520 and 1528 Woodward Avenue. Both buildings are owned by Bedrock Real Estate.
 
The two early-20th-century buildings were not previously part of a historic district. Previously owned by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, when Bedrock took them over the state historic tax credit was still available so there was a "mad dash" to get these buildings designated as historic properties, which Kraemer assisted with.
 
According to Bob Kraemer, founder and Principal of KDG, both buildings were heavily renovated in the 1950s and 1960s and little of the original buildings' original exterior or interior design elements still remained. In their renovations, KDG restored the mid-century renovations.
 
1520 Woodward Avenue, the former Lane Bryant Building built in 1909, is now comprised mostly of office space with as-yet-unoccupied retail space on the first floor and basement. KDG worked with the fifth and sixth floor tenant Detroit Labs on interior design to create an open workspace that juxtaposes the old structural wood framing and exposed brick with new, finished interior design elements. There are no other tenants currently in the building.
 
1528 Woodward Avenue, a 45,146-square-foot, six-story building, was built in 1916. It now exudes a midcentury appeal from its renovation in 1960 when it became the headquarters for the United Foundation. The second floor contains conference room spaces and a lounge/event space, and KDG restored and updated its décor in a style that complements the remaining 60s-era components.

"It had a real modern look to it so we restored that," Kraemer says. "It has a real (mid-century) ad man feel to it." KDG created clean, bright, modern elements within each of the tenant spaces that allow future tenants flexibility in customizing their space. The office floors of the building are now fully occupied, with Sachse Construction in the top two floors, and Bizdom and a Bedrock co-working space on the third and fourth floors. Retail space is still available on the ground floor.
 
Kraemer says he is seeing increasingly more activity in Capitol Park as development along the Woodward Corridor slows in anticipation of M-1 Rail construction. The next big renovation project for KDG is the 1201-1217 Woodward block, once again for Bedrock.
 
Source: Bob Kraemer, founder and Principal of KDG
Writer: Nicole Rupersburg

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