DETROIT – The historic renovation of downtown Detroit staple the David Whitney Building was named the state’s “Construction Project of the Year” by the Construction Association of Michigan on Wednesday.
Both the Whitney project and the new Oakland University Engineering Center, built in 2015, were given awards during the Michigan Construction & Design Tradeshow on Feb. 3 in Detroit.
The $92 million David Whitney project was named the 2015 Construction Project of the Year as well as an Outstanding Construction Project of 2015. Walbridge worked with architect the Kraemer Design Group in the restoration of the 19-story signature building.
Renovation of the David Whitney Building began in March 2013, after Whitney Partners LLC, a Roxbury Group and Trans Inns Management/Vos Hospitality venture, purchased the building. Built in 1915, the building was a downtown hub for retail and offices, undergoing a significant exterior renovation in 1959, before ultimately closing its doors in 1999, sitting empty and exposed until 2011. Now, the building is a center of excitement, with retail space, hotel rooms and apartments.
The Oakland University Engineering Center – a project to provide modern instructional and research facilities – received an award as an Outstanding Construction Project of 2015. With 127,000-square-foot, the facility has state-of-the-art space for students developing careers in computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems management engineering and mechanical engineering. Walbridge worked with Architect and Engineer SmithGroupJJR on the project.
Both projects will be featured in the Construction Association of Michigan Magazine’s Special Issue 2015.