Detroit’s urban comeback gets a design boost from LOHA Studio
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In Brush Park, just steps from Midtown and Downtown Detroit, a landmark development is rewriting the city’s architectural narrative. City Modern, a sprawling eight-acre project spearheaded by Bedrock, has delivered 450 new residences across 20 to 23 buildings while honoring Detroit’s architectural legacy. At the heart of the design strategy is LOHA Studio, which targeted context-sensitive urban renewal through design that bridges past and present.
LOHA Studio’s corner anchors show a synthesis of material and context
Los Angeles-based LOHA was entrusted with four pivotal corner buildings, designed to anchor City Modern and blend harmoniously with the neighborhood’s low-slung character. Each building steps down at mid-block to align with adjacent structures, creating a seamless transition in scale. LOHA’s material palette reflects Detroit’s own vernacular of brick, metal, and wood, with each building adopting its own voice through distinctive cladding. One corner features Western red cedar for a biophilic warmth, while others highlight bright red panels and grey masonry, creating unity and variation across the development.
A city-wide collaboration: diverse typologies, shared vision
City Modern’s architectural composition is the result of coordinated efforts by six firms: LOHA, Hamilton Anderson Associates, Merge Architects, Studio Dwell, McIntosh Poris, and Christian Hurttienne.
Merge Architects reinterpreted the carriage-home typology with “duplettes,” two-story units linked by internal staircases and masonry facades reminiscent of Brush Park’s heritage.
Studio Dwell and Hamilton Anderson collaborated on townhomes with rooftop decks, second-floor terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, garages, and generous landscaping. These designs marry Victorian inspiration with contemporary living standards.
Three Victorian mansions on the block were restored and repurposed into five luxury condominium homes, merging historic preservation with modern amenities. The result is a diverse yet cohesive neighborhood fabric that feels both authentic and forward-looking.
A community rebuilt, not just built
Dan Gilbert, Bedrock’s founder, described City Modern as the first major ground-up neighborhood built in Detroit since the 1980s. He emphasized that the team did not simply build housing but rebuilt a community.
The development includes over 31,000 square feet of retail, thoughtfully integrated to serve both residents and the broader public. Ground-floor spaces house a cafe, a dental office, and a market-style gathering spot, encouraging foot traffic and social interaction. The emphasis on active street life reinforces City Modern’s role as a living, breathing neighborhood rather than a static housing complex.
A modern counterpoint to mid-century precedent
City Modern is consciously situated within Detroit’s architectural history. Its scale and ambition recall Lafayette Park, Mies van der Rohe’s groundbreaking post-war development, but it takes a different approach. City Modern’s design prioritizes human scale, mixed-income housing, and walkable streets, placing inclusion at the forefront rather than monumental modernism. By integrating contemporary materials and sustainable building strategies while maintaining a connection to Detroit’s historic forms, the development offers a model for balanced urban regeneration. It demonstrates that ambitious design does not need to erase the past in order to create the future.
LOHA Studio’s broader influence on urban regeneration
LOHA Studio’s work in Detroit is part of a broader portfolio of projects that challenge the boundaries between architecture and urbanism. In Los Angeles and beyond, the firm has embraced infill development, adaptive reuse, and context-driven design to address the needs of growing cities.
In Detroit, this philosophy finds fertile ground. The City Modern corner buildings are not isolated architectural statements but components of a carefully composed neighborhood plan. The result is a development that feels rooted in place, adaptable over time, and capable of fostering a sense of belonging for residents.
The Role of architecture in Detroit’s next chapter
Detroit’s story is one of resilience. After decades of economic decline, depopulation, and disinvestment, the city is re-emerging as a center of design innovation. City Modern is both a product and a driver of this resurgence, showing that architectural quality can play a direct role in urban recovery.
The project also challenges traditional narratives about urban renewal. Rather than relying solely on large-scale commercial investments or isolated cultural landmarks, City Modern demonstrates the value of neighborhood-level interventions. By integrating housing, retail, public space, and historic preservation, it offers a replicable framework for cities facing similar challenges.
Looking ahead
As Detroit continues its renewal, City Modern offers a clear example of how strong design can support broader urban goals. LOHA Studio’s work shows that architecture can acknowledge local history, address community needs, and introduce contemporary ideas in a way that feels integrated rather than imposed.
For Brush Park and the surrounding area, the project functions as more than a set of new buildings. It is part of a connected neighborhood framework that blends housing, public space, and commercial activity. By balancing preservation with modern development, City Modern demonstrates that Detroit’s past and future can be part of the same conversation.
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