Townhouses Coming to Historic James E. Scripps Site in Detroit’s Woodbridge Neighborhood

Preserving History and Value

The new Scripps District townhome community stands where James E. Scripps, founder of The Detroit News, built his mansion in 1879 in Detroit’s historic Woodbridge neighborhood . The district’s design honors the site’s past through the renovation of the original Scripps Mansion Powerhouse, originally designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn. This renovation emphasizes the community’s commitment to retaining the area’s historical charm as it introduces modern luxuries. 

Scripps District is being developed in a joint partnership between Robertson Brothers Homes, Civic Companies and Tekton Development. This team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the homebuilding industry as well as Detroit development expertise.  Scripps District will grand open for sales on June 8th with a preview event the evening before on June 7th.

Located on Trumbull between Selden and Brainard streets, the Scripps District integrates within the Woodbridge neighborhood and its Victorian architecture. The project features 48 one-car garage townhomes and 16 two-car garage townhomes designed with spacious interiors and contemporary amenities. Taking center stage, the Powerhouse overlooks the new community park which offers multiple outdoor gathering spaces and includes the preservation of historic columns while serving as an extension of the renovated Scripps Park and adjacent Rose Dog Park across on Trumbull. The Powerhouse is being sold as a private residence. The townhomes promise comfortable and stylish urban living experiences, along with a unique opportunity for homeowners to invest in a new home that offers maintenance-free living. With the consumer demand for new housing in this area, Scripps District will bring new development to an already established neighborhood, while providing new homeowners with attainable pricing option.

Enhanced Amenities & Accessibility

Homeowners of Scripps District will enjoy pedestrian-friendly streets, abundant green spaces, including a new community park, and easy access to local parks – Scripps Park, the former site of the home of George and Ellen Booth, James E. Scripps’ daughter, and Rose Dog Park. The nearby area has been bolstered by significant investments, including Ford Motor Company’s renovation of the Michigan Central Station, the $4.2 billion dollar initiatives by Henry Ford Health System, and the University of Michigan’s new 200,000 sq. ft. Center For Innovation building. These improvements contribute to the area’s robust local economy and seek to enhance the quality of life for all residents. The Scripps District location is the perfect retreat with easy access to Downtown Detroit’s growing businesses, exciting sports venues, variety of restaurant cuisines, unique shops and various entertainment options. Also nearby are Wayne State University — Michigan’s third largest university, and the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) — which has provided medical excellence throughout the history of the Metropolitan Detroit area.

Grand Opening Events

The grand opening preview event will take place Friday, June 7th from 5pm to 8pm. The event will feature tours of the two new furnished models, the Albert Kahn-designed Powerhouse renovation, move-in ready homes, music and food trucks.
Scripps District is a 64-unit development designed to connect the growth of Woodbridge Historic District with the nearby neighborhood.. The new two-bedroom townhomes – starting in the mid $300s – are built to complement the established neighborhood and adjacent Scripps Park.

About The Development Team

Robertson Brothers Homes, Civic Companies and Tekton Development have partnered on this new community and have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the homebuilding industry.

Robertson Homes, founded in 1945, has had the pleasure of building and developing over 4,000 homes in Metro Detroit. They’ve been awarded by the HBA of SE Michigan as Developer of the Year, Builder of the Year, Development of the Year as well as multiple Interior Design Project awards. With a dedication to quality and innovation, Robertson Homes is devoted to building unparalleled lifestyle communities, refined condos and stunning single-family homes while placing the customer first.

Civic Companies is a real estate development company with holdings in Detroit. Civic creates beautiful, sustainable, connected communities that are centered around well-designed public spaces. They strengthen existing corridors and build welcome additions through a process of deep community engagement, partnerships with the neighbors, and respect for our planet.

Tekton Development is a specialist in developing multifamily and mixed-use projects which can be held as long-term core real estate investments or can be sold at lease-up and stabilization.

The Tekton Development team offers significant multifamily investment and development experience with its principal having invested over $36 million in multifamily, land, and office developments across multiple states including North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan.

Tekton has strong project experience in structured finance equity and debt. The firm is also experienced in layered finance structures utilizing both federal and state development subsidies including historical tax credits, Brownfield TIFF districts, Michigan CRP, New Markets Tax Credits and others. These development subsidies are designed to reduce risk and to create feasibility with projects that otherwise might be impossible.