Piquette Flats

Built in 1920, the Studebaker Service Building is located at 411 Piquette Avenue and was designed by Albert Kahn for the Studebaker Corporation. The building is 110,000 square feet spread over four stories and is constructed of reinforced concrete. Originally used as a die shop as well as for painting and chassis assembly, the building was called the Service Building by the Studebaker Corporation. Later, the building was utilized as a parts depot and more recently as general tenant storage before standing vacant. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building to the Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District, and is connected to the National Historic Landmark Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, the birthplace of the Ford Model T.

After the building was purchased by the Platform development company, Kraemer Design Group participated in the RFP to redevelop the building into a multi-family residential building.  Throughout the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse work, KDG focused on maintaining and emphasizing the great industrial architecture of the building. Key aspects of the work include full façade renovation, large historic replica factory windows, and exposed cast concrete structure, which, together, create a one-of-a-kind living experience in the emerging Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. KDG and the development team focused on providing market-leading design moderated with thoughtful, budget-driven choices, and infused innovative approaches to merge modern living amenities into a landmark of Detroit’s automotive history.