DDA Hears Update on Hotel Complex at Former Fresard Site

Members of Royal Oak's Downtown Development Authority (DDA) received an update Wednesday from the developers of a hotel complex at the former Fresard auto dealership site. 

Greg Cooksey, the managing member of 400 Main LLC, which is the current owner of the Fresard dealership site, introduced individual members of the development team that includes Royal Oak-based CG Emerson Real Estate Group, Southfield-based Versa Development, Hotel Investment Services, Inc. (HIS) of Plymouth,  T.H. Marsh Construction and Krieger | Klatt Architects, both of Royal Oak.

The complicated project for the site at 400 N. Main Street includes an 8-story hotel, an 8-story apartment building, a pair of office buildings and a 4-level off-street parking deck. 

The various pieces of the project have to stand alone, yet work together on the small site, said Greg Erne, principal at Versa Development. Erne is working as the "quarterback" of the large project, which he described as having "lots of moving pieces." 

Design refinement

The general scope of project has not changed since it received approval from the planning commission in June, according to Jeff Klatt, of Kreiger | Klatt.

"The use, height, and the size of the buildings have not changed, but we have made extensive progress with the design refinement of each building," Klatt said. 

Some of the design highlights Klatt pointed out to directors included an exercise room and exterior pool for the 8-story apartment building, which now has more glass surfaces and integral balconies that "take advantage of the beautiful views downtown."

The hotel will have a business center, breakfast area, lounge, small bar area, conference room space, banquet rooms, fitness center and a rooftop patio.

"(The rooftop patio) will offer private parties for guests and exceptional views of downtown," Klatt said.  

Architects plan to work with residents on Pingree on the design of the 4-level parking structure. The 431-space deck could possibly have a living wall to help screen headlights and soften the overall look, Klatt said.   

The next steps

Negotiations are moving forward with Hyatt Place as the flagship hotel, Erne said. 

Demolition of the former Fresard auto dealership will begin in the first quarter of 2014 followed by groundbreaking activities in mid to late summer.

The developers are also finalizing a development agreement with the city. Formal negotiations will begin in January, Erne said.

Marketing efforts for office pre-leasing and the apartments will start after the first of the year and there are plans to launch a website in January.

The project has been set up so that CG Emerson, Versa and T.H. Marsh will share ownership, property management and operate of all components of the project except for the hotel, which will be operated by HIS.