A significant number of large-scale, cutting-edge commercial and residential developments are currently under way in Macomb County. Spurred on by Macomb’s reputation for excellent quality of life and significant increases in population and income levels, developers are investing heavily in innovative projects and planned communities that appeal to today’s individuals and families. From lifestyle shopping centers to luxurious mixed-use waterfront community and entertainment complexes, Macomb has it all. Explore the following projects to learn more about a few of the major new developments taking place in our communities.

One Water Place

As the name implies, One Water Place will occupy a prime spot on the shoreline of Lake St. Clair in the village of St. Clair Shores along its “Nautical Mile”.

This development is truly the first of its kind in Detroit

The $500 million, 54-acre, multi-use lakeside development will offer an exclusive selection of residences, including luxury high-rise condominiums and elegant townhomes, in a maintenance-free environment boasting five-star amenities. Uses will include gourmet dining, waterfront retail, an entertainment amphitheater, elite office space and a pedestrian park with walkways, bicycle path, fountains and a four-story parking structure.

When complete, the development will feature more than 800 condominium, loft and townhouse units in several high-rise buildings; a 540-slip marina; 200,000 square feet of retail space; 107,000 square feet of office space; and waterfront park areas.

The first high rise, overlooking Lake St. Clair, will be 20 stories and contain 153 residential units. 13 floor plans will be featured, measuring 834 to 4,000 square feet. The condominiums, which are priced from $215,000 to $1.5 million, have one to three bedrooms and one to 2 1/2 baths. To date, upwards of 70 percent of these units have pre-sold and ground breaking will be taking place in spring of 2006.

The Mall at Partridge Creek

In Clinton Township, plans are in place for a $600 million open-air shopping center on the former Partridge Creek Golf Course. The Mall at Partridge Creek which will feature Nordstrom, Parisian and MJR Theatres. The approximately 600,000 square foot center is scheduled to open in October of 2007, with Nordstrom opening in April of 2008.

The Mall at Partridge Creek, located on a 55-acre site along the south side of M-59 between Garfield and Romeo Plank, will feature the two anchor department stores, 14-screen multiplex cinema, several sit-down restaurants and up to 90 specialty retailers.

The center’s approximately 129,000 square foot, two-level Nordstrom will be the Seattle-based retailer’s third Full-Line Store in Michigan. Parisian will open its third metro-Detroit location at The Mall at Partridge Creek. The 120,000 square foot, two-level store will showcase Parisian’s superior level of personalized service, unique store design, special amenities, and distinctive merchandise offerings. MJR Theatres, based in Oak Park, Mich., will build a 14-screen, 55,749 square foot movie theatre complex. The state-of-the art theatres will feature 2,500 stadium-style seats. All auditoriums will have digital sound and at least four will operate with digital projection systems.

The shopping center’s park-like setting and indigenous architecture are intended to complement the spirit of Macomb County, one of the state’s fastest growing areas. Design elements referencing orchards, flower gardens and the county’s historic communities will create a unique, welcoming environment. Amenities will include two bocce ball courts (suitable for international competition), an oversized chess board with two-foot-tall game pieces, an outdoor children’s play area, outdoor flat screen televisions and a central gathering place featuring a large stone fireplace. The shopping center will have three fountains including a pop jet fountain where children of all ages can cool off on a hot summer day.

“Nordstrom, Parisian and MJR Theatres get us off to a great start with our merchandising and leasing efforts. We’re confident the center, with its unique physical environment and distinctive stores, will complement the area’s existing retail, dining and entertainment opportunities.” said Robert S. Taubman, chairman, president and CEO of Taubman Centers.

The remainder of the 300+ acre golf course will be developed with a mix of single and multi-family housing at varying densities. The residential and commercial uses will be connected by both a motorized and non-motorized transportation network.

Warren Downtown

In southern Macomb County, the City of Warren is working to make its vision of a mixed-use more vibrant City Center a reality. Construction is already underway on a new Library, City Hall, and City Square. The project will include private investment projects for new upscale residential and office and commercial space. The plan calls for roughly 200,000 square feet of new retail, 700,000 s.f. of new office space, 440 residential units, and 110,000 s.f. of new public/institutional uses.

Macomb Town Center

Macomb Township has broken ground on their new Town Center, located on a one square mile parcel between 24 Mile and 25 Mile Roads, and between Broughton and Luchtman Roads. The New Town Center promises to be the catalyst for a unique “Old Town” development. The Center will feature a mix of four carefully planned neighborhoods that focus on the traditions of neighborhood, style, and proximity to commercial and governmental operations. Entertainment in this “turn of the century” setting will feature among other things, parks and restaurants within walking distance. In 2004 the Township completed construction on a new municipal office and separate recreation facility. The architectural detail and site design reflect the “Old Town” concept the development center around.

Washington Park Village

A proposed project featuring 2,600 homes, a 30-acre medical campus and a light industrial research center in Washington Township would be one of the largest retail-residential projects in Macomb County.

The $1 billion, 1 million-square-foot open-air mall is planned to be at the Romeo Golf Course on 32 Mile near M-53, 12 miles from the county's booming Hall Road (M-59) retail corridor.

Washington Park Village lifestyle center would join a slew of new stores in northern Macomb County. Attracted to the area’s flurry of home building and rising disposable incomes, retailers are beginning to look to the county's northern end as Metro Detroit's newest retail hot spot.

The project would be built beginning in 2007 and completed over five years, said Karam, owner of Mitchell E. Karam Corp. in Washington Township. The 535-acre lifestyle center also would include single-family homes, assisted living for seniors, condominiums, a 65-acre golf course, a fire station and a township facility.

Conceptual plans for the lifestyle center have been submitted to the township, but an ordinance that would allow for mixed-use projects such as the proposed Washington Park Village must still be approved.

Tenisha Mercer (2006). Open-air mall latest plan for Macomb growth. The Detroit News.