Detroit’s Biggest Food Hall Yet Is Heading to Milwaukee Junction

Detroit’s biggest food hall yet is poised to land in an iconic property in Milwaukee Junction. The Platform, one of the neighboring New Center area’s biggest developers, announced today in a release that it will transform the nine-story, 75,000-square-foot building at 2937 East Grand Blvd. into a food hall and co-working space.

The circa 1913 brick building, which was formerly used for cold storage, has been rebranded Chroma and will retain its best-known feature — a colorful 125-foot tall mural by artist Katie Craig called “Illuminated Mural.” The Platform is currently working with Craig to restore the artwork (once the subject of a legal battle) and properly light it.

A Florida-based team behind Grandview Public Market is partnering on the food hall project, which will occupy across the first two floors in the building and will house 14 different food and beverage projects “most of which are locally owned.” Diners can expect a full bar.

At 14,000 square feet, the food hall will be significantly larger than other similar developments open and in the works in Detroit. Detroit Shipping Company in Midtown is housed in a 10,000-square-foot building and will ultimately feature a total of six food stalls. Downtown’s Fort Street Galley features four food stalls in an 8,600-square-foot space. A “European-style” food hall headed to the Stone Soap Building will span roughly 13,000-square-feet, though it’s still not clear how many restaurants will be included in the development.

inFORM Studio/The Platform

Grandview Public Market opened in West Palm Beach in the fall of 2017 and according to Eater Miami have plans to develop similar food halls throughout the southeastern United States. Founder Chris Vila states in the release that one of the company’s goals is to eliminate the costs of equipment, build-out, and long-term rent obligations. The company has not confirmed if any vendors have been selected so far but the group is currently accepting inquiries about vendor spaces at hello@grandviewpublic.com.

Meanwhile, the other levels of the building are set to be occupied by coworking space operator Beauty Shoppe, a company with locations in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

The Platform acquired the Milwaukee Junction property in 2017 and is spending roughly $16 million on the renovation of the building. The group has teamed with architecture firm Inform Studio on the redesign and expects to wrap up the project in late 2019.

Stay tuned for more updates.

• The Illuminated Mural Will Stay; The Platform Under Contract for Building [CDET]
• All Coming Attractions Coverage [ED]
• All Eater Tracking Coverage [ED]