Construction begins on Vinton Building rehab Downtown

Construction has begun on the rehabilitation of the Vinton Building, a 1917 Albert Kahn-designed skyscraper located at the northeast corner of Woodward and Congress. Interior demolition is underway, asbestos and lead abatement have been completed, and exterior masonry work is to start this week.

The building’s developer, Vinton Building LLC, is a partnership consisting of 10 individual investors — eight of whom will each own and occupy one floor and two — Robert Porcher and Aaron Alston of RP3 Developments LLC — who will own four floors. The Garrison Company is the project’s general contractor. Norm Davies, the Vinton Building LLC’s secretary as well as future resident of the building’s 10th floor explains: “We've been able to place a premium space into the hands of moderate-level investors using this collaborative partnership.”

The first floor of the Vinton Building will be commercial, the second floor office space, and the remaining 10 floors residential. Each 3,600-square-foot floor will include two furnaces and two air-conditioning units. The 5,600-square-foot basement will be converted into a parking garage with room for one car per living space. The garage will be accessed off the alley.

The Vinton Building was originally built as the headquarters for the Vinton Company, Albert Kahn’s primary construction partner. It recently sat vacant until the City of Detroit issued a Request for Proposal for its redevelopment. Davies expects construction to be complete by December of this year.

Source: Norm Davies, Vinton Building LLC

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