Scott Catallo
principal
NORTH
It’s an exciting time for the AEC industry in Detroit, where many transformative projects are taking shape and nearing completion, signifying momentum that was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, Catallo says.
One of the most notable projects is a 1.5 million square foot mixed-use redevelopment in downtown Detroit with residential, hotel, office and event/retail space on the site of the former JL Hudson flagship warehouse.
In April 2024, General Motors announced that it would move its global headquarters from the Renaissance Center to the Hudson site, occupying 400,000 square feet and becoming the anchor tenant of the office portion of the property.
“At the same time, design studies are underway to reimagine the Renaissance Center to better serve the evolving needs of Detroit,” notes Catallo.
Another area undergoing revitalization is the Detroit Riverfront, where Catallo says the iconic Dodge Fountain has been restored and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. has been renovated. Centennial Park, a 22-hectare green space, was scheduled to open in October.
“Projects like the Hudson site and the river transformation are creating destinations that attract residents, businesses and visitors, fueling economic growth and raising the city’s global profile,” says Catallo.
The energy is also evident in the Corktown neighborhood, where plans are moving forward for Alumni Field, a 15,000-seat soccer-specific stadium for Detroit City FC that would accompany a mixed-use development planned for the site of Detroit’s long-shuttered Southwest Hospital.
On the health care side, Henry Ford Hospital is building a 20-story expansion tower that will have private wards, 400 beds and 28 operating rooms, representing an estimated investment of $2.2 billion.
“Investments in health and education demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of life for Detroiters, while mixed-use projects in neighborhoods like Corktown reflect a shift toward more sustainable and community-centered urban design,” says Catallo.
Catallo believes growth will continue in downtown Detroit as its existing building stock to be renovated dwindles.
“The industry will turn to the development of expansion projects and new core developments,” he says. “Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will not only see new buildings, but also new delivery methods, which are faster, smarter and more sustainable.”
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While Detroit’s outlook looks bright, Catallo says the city’s AEC firms face many of the same challenges seen across the country: rising costs, modest rate impacts and a constrained labor pool.
“The labor shortage remains one of the most pressing concerns at the local level,” he says. “Demand for skilled trades and design professionals continues to outstrip the available workforce, creating overriding effects on project schedules, delivery methods and ultimately client expectations.”
Catallo says NORR’s approach is to see these challenges as opportunities to innovate.
“By leveraging tools like artificial intelligence and the latest BIM technologies, we can communicate better, streamline project delivery, reduce costly change orders and collaborate earlier with our partners to keep costs under control,” he says.
“Equally important, we are investing in Detroit’s next generation of design talent to strengthen the pipeline of professionals who will carry this work forward,” he adds.
Overall, Catallo says 2025 has been a strong year for the AEC market in Detroit. He believes the momentum will continue into 2026.
“While single-family housing permits in the city remain limited, multifamily, healthcare and public projects are driving much of the current activity, signaling a broader shift toward denser, community-oriented investment in Detroit’s urban core,” he says.
He adds that an upcoming mayoral transition, after the Nov. 4 election, will be one of the most significant factors shaping Detroit’s immediate future.
“Mayor Mike Duggan successfully led the city out of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history and guided it through a global pandemic,” says Catallo. “As his term ends, the question is whether the new administration will continue to build on this momentum or chart a different course. For those of us who have invested decades in serving Detroit through architecture and planning, this moment is both a challenge and an opportunity to see how leadership will shape the city’s next chapter.”
