Lakeshore Global Building in New Center to be developed

The Detroit-based development company that owns the Fisher Building plans to launch another project in the city’s New Center.

The Platform has acquired the Lakeshore Global Building in New Center, the company said Wednesday. The eight-story, 240,000-square-foot building sits on the northeast corner of Woodward and Grand Boulevard in a neighborhood that’s seen steady investment over the last few years.

The building is currently 60 percent occupied. Dietrich Knoer, president and CEO of The Platform, and his team plan to “reposition” the building for full occupancy.

“We are confirming our commitment to the thriving New Center area with the acquisition of the Lakeshore Global building in a landmark location on the Woodward corridor,” Knoer said in a statement, “and taking control of the development parcels on East Grand Boulevard will enable us to participate in and contribute to the vision for the redevelopment of the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.”

The purchase included 4.1 acres currently used as surface parking on which the Platform could build a new development. The Lakeshore Global Building was designed by Albert Kahn in 1908 for Ford Motor Co.

The Platform, headed by Peter Cummings and Dietrich Knoer, also owns other properties including the Albert Kahn building in New Center and the Cass & York condominiums in Midtown. It is behind a $50 million mixed-use development planned for the site of the former Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson near Belle Isle.

ithibodeau@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Ian_Thibodeau