Speaker Series This Week

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NOTICE: If you RSVP'd but did not receive a notification it was due to a technical problem. We have received your registration and we look forward to seeing you Friday, Nov 3 at 8AM. All attendees are welcome and no one will be turned away.

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This month's installment of Model D's speaker series will be Friday, Nov. 3, at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle and will focus on the rise of suburban and out-of-state developers who are banking on Detroit's revival. The series is co-sponsored by the DYC, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and LaSalle Bank.

Out-of-town investors are staking a claim in the city, redeveloping properties and fueling the city's turnaround. Cleveland-based Ferchill Group is renovating the Book-Cadillac Hotel; Pittsburgh developers have their eyes on the East Riverfront; a Florida-based developer is putting lofts into the St. Regis in New Center; and so on.

The speakers include:

• Robert Bates, senior vice president of Mansur Real Estate Services Inc., an Indianapolis-based company that specializes in urban development. Robert founded the division that focuses on renovations and the reuse of historic structures. Bates has been part of projects in Indianapolis, throughout Indiana, in Cincinnati and western Ohio, and in St. Louis. He has consulted in historic preservation throughout the Midwest and has spoken on the subject nationally. His work has received state and national awards. In Detroit, he renovated the 18-floor former S.S. Kresge headquarters (downtown on Adams overlooking Grand Circus Park) into the 117-unit Kales Building Lofts.

• Colin Hubbell, founder of Detroit-based Hubbell Group. Throughout his career, Hubbell has been instrumental in attracting outside investors and developers to the city. Hubbell previously worked for 13 years with the City of Detroit and four years with Crosswinds Communities. The Hubbell Group partnership was incubated through his work with JC Cataldo, who developed the Canfield Lofts, a former warehouse near Wayne State converted into 35 lofts for sale — where the Hubbell Group offices are located.  The Hubbell team has built on that success with other Midtown developments — including the Art Center Town Homes, Ferry Street East and lofts of 55 W. Canfield. He also has taught the graduate real estate development class for the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture for the past six years.

The free event starts with registration at 8 a.m., the speakers start at 8:30 a.m., and the program will last about an hour. Seating is limited, and an RSVP is required. To sign up, click here.


Art Center Town Home and Colin Hubbell Copyright Dave Krieger

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