Olympia Development Announces the Second Building in The District Detroit’s Co-Developer Program

Olympia Development of Michigan has selected 81 W. Columbia Street as the second of three projects to be offered to Detroit-based developers in The District Detroit’s Co-Developer Program. The Co-Developer Program is designed to create opportunities for Detroit-based, Detroit-headquartered, or Detroit resident-owned development companies. Qualified companies will have the opportunity to pursue the development of up to three Olympia Development properties.

81 W. Columbia Street was designed in the transitional style by architectural firm Baxter and O’Dell in 1909 as the Blenheim Apartments. It originally comprised 19 apartments and a speakeasy. The building is four stories tall and is approximately 17,500 square feet. The Blenheim is located at the southeast corner of Columbia Street and Park Avenue adjacent to the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Global Headquarters.  

“The response to our Co-Developer program has been tremendous. The thoughtful and innovative proposals that local developers are submitting demonstrates the shared commitment to building what is best for the community.   We look forward to reviewing the Blenheim proposals as this specific property is in a great location and is ideal for developers to design and build something unique as we further develop Detroit,” said Keith Bradford, President of Olympia Development and The District Detroit.

In July Olympia Development announced 475 Peterboro as the first of three buildings in the Co-Developer program and invited 10 developers to respond with development proposals that are currently under review. The third project in the program will be the parcels at 44 & 48 W. Adams, adjacent to Grand Circus Park West.

The 10 invited Co-Developers for 81 W. Columbia will begin exploring development options and meet with Olympia Development executives before submitting their proposals on January 15, 2025.

“The Olympia Development Co-Developer Program is a significant example of the diversity and inclusion that is a result of The District Detroit Community Benefits Agreement. This program will provide immense opportunity to emerging and disadvantaged Detroit-based developers and bring new life to key properties in the City,” said Chris Jackson, Chair of The District Detroit Neighborhood Advisory Committee.

More information on the Co-Developer Program can be found at TheDistrictDetroitOC.com/RFP.

The District Detroit’s Co-Developer Program is part of the Community Benefits Agreement.  Separately, Olympia Development has other Co-Developer partnerships underway at The Residences @ 150 Bagley (formally known as The United Artist Building), 64 Edmund Place and Henry Street Apartments.

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