Case Study: Arbor Hills

Property: Arbor Hills, Ann Arbor, MI
Client: The North Shore Properties Group
Lender: The Private Bank

Summary:

 

The North Shore Properties Group, in conjunction with RSW Washtenaw LLC, transformed a former brownfield site in Ann Arbor Michigan into Arbor Hills, a mixed-use development with more than 78,000 square feet of retail and 8,000 square feet of office space. After drawing on DMA’s expertise throughout the project, beginning in the early development stages, the client asked dma | property, LLC to assume ongoing management responsibility for Arbor Hills.

  • The development features four distinct, steel-frame buildings with high end materials including brick, steel, wood, and glass. Corten screens, arcades, stone facades and tenant-inspired storefronts create a dynamic shopping experience that blends a sense of the past with modern architectural details.
  • A design emphasis on walkability, connectivity, street appeal, and architectural style helped to attract a robust mix of high-end retail tenants such as Lululemon, Madewell (owned by J Crew), The North Face, Sur La Table, J Jill, Anthropology, Arhaus, and Brooks Brother Flatiron (its fourth store in the country).
  • Attractive landscaping includes a platform with a view of restored wetlands and a water-filtering rain garden.

Our team worked extensively with retail tenants and the project’s lender to manage individual build-outs and ensure the project opened on time and on budget. Arbor Hills welcomed its first customers on August 22, 2013 nearly 100% leased.