Detroit ShipYard Food Hall Drops Anchor in the Cass Corridor

Detroit's forthcoming shipping container food hall, Detroit ShipYard, is headed for the Cass Corridor. DBusiness reports that the developers have acquired a site on Peterboro Street next to the complex that houses The Peterboro and 8 Degrees Plato Detroit. The 8,000-square-foot project will feature a 4,000-square-foot food hall with communal seating, two bars, and approximately five small-scale restaurant spaces. The owners plan to operate the bars themselves and rent the restaurant space to area food businesses. The remaining 4,000-square-feet will serve as a stage for live performances with a retractable vinyl roof and a pop-up gallery.

Co-CEO Jonathan Hartzell says Detroit ShipYard is continuing to make connections with area restaurants to find concepts that might take up residence in the building. "I'm looking for owner/operators who can transition with their food seasonally, and as trends change, they'll pick and choose different [menu items]," Hartzell says. Detroit ShipYard is optimistically aiming for a July opening.

Food halls are becoming increasingly popular across the country, acting as central hubs for a variety of cuisines. Detroit ShipYard isn't the only food hall project coming to Detroit. In October, local real estate group proposed redeveloping a vacant building near Lafayette Park and Eastern Market for Busy Bee Food Hall. That project would offer space for 12 food vendors, including two full-scale restaurants.