Detroit, Michigan, October 30, 2025
Developer Emery Matthews is leading a $14.9 million redevelopment of the long-vacant Arthur Murray Building on East Warren Avenue, converting the early 1950s structure into 32 apartments and about 7,900 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project aims to provide affordable housing and community-focused commercial space, supported by a $2.128 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program. The effort is part of a larger strategy to revitalize the East Warren Corridor alongside nearby projects like The Ribbon, the East Warren Public Market and The Deco to spur economic growth and neighborhood renewal.
Detroit’s East Warren Corridor Revitalized with Arthur Murray Building Redevelopment
Detroit, Michigan – The historic Arthur Murray Building on East Warren Avenue is being transformed into a mixed-use space, a $14.9 million redevelopment project led by developer Emery Matthews. This undertaking aims to convert the long-vacant structure into 32 residential apartments and around 7,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space, with financial support including a $2.128 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.
Project Details
- Residential Units: 32 apartments designed to provide affordable housing options for residents.
- Retail Space: Approximately 7,900 square feet allocated for community-focused businesses, enhancing local economic growth.
- Historical Significance: The building, constructed in the early 1950s, was originally the first franchise location of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, adding cultural value to the redevelopment.
Broader Impact on East Warren Corridor
This redevelopment supports a broader initiative to enhance the East Warren Corridor, an area that has seen decades of underinvestment. The project is in line with the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund, which focuses on revitalizing key neighborhoods through public-private partnerships. Recent developments in the corridor include:
- The Ribbon: An $8.2 million mixed-use affordable housing project providing 18 new apartments and retail space.
- East Warren Public Market: A 10,000-square-foot facility designed to promote community engagement and support local businesses.
- The Deco: A redevelopment project converting a long-vacant building into rental apartments and a ground-floor restaurant, further contributing to neighborhood revitalization.
These efforts collectively aim to turn East Warren Avenue into a thriving, mixed-use community, promoting economic growth and improving life for local residents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Arthur Murray Building redevelopment project?
The Arthur Murray Building redevelopment is a $14.9 million project led by developer Emery Matthews, converting the historic structure into 32 residential apartments and approximately 7,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The development has received substantial support, including a $2.128 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.
What is the historical significance of the Arthur Murray Building?
Constructed in the early 1950s, the Arthur Murray Building was originally the first franchise location of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, adding cultural value to the redevelopment.
How does this project fit into the broader revitalization of the East Warren Corridor?
This redevelopment is part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the East Warren Corridor, a neighborhood that has experienced decades of underinvestment. The project aligns with the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund, which focuses on revitalizing key areas through public-private partnerships. Recent developments in the corridor include The Ribbon, an $8.2 million mixed-use affordable housing project providing 18 new apartments and ground-floor retail space, and the East Warren Public Market, a 10,000-square-foot facility designed to promote community engagement and support local businesses.
Key Features of the Arthur Murray Building Redevelopment
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Residential Units | 32 apartments providing affordable housing options for residents. |
| Retail Space | Approximately 7,900 square feet allocated for community-focused businesses, enhancing local economic growth. |
| Historical Significance | The building, constructed in the early 1950s, was originally the first franchise location of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, adding cultural value to the redevelopment. |
| Grant Support | The development has received substantial support, including a $2.128 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program. |
| Broader Impact | This project is part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the East Warren Corridor, aligning with the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund, which focuses on revitalizing key areas through public-private partnerships. Recent developments in the corridor include The Ribbon, an $8.2 million mixed-use affordable housing project providing 18 new apartments and ground-floor retail space, and the East Warren Public Market, a 10,000-square-foot facility designed to promote community engagement and support local businesses. |
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Arthur Murray Dance Studio Redeveloped into Affordable Housing and Retail
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
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