Hotels on the Way Out

… Morningside Group, developers that brought SkyLofts to downtown Royal Oak, won unanimous Plan Commission approval this week to tear down the Select Inn on 11 Mile Road, east of Main, and replace it with a $22 million loft condo development.

It’s a big event for Royal Oak, which has fought for years to eliminate the hotels that dot Woodward and 11 Mile. This development also allows the city to extend its hot downtown renovation from Main Street to 11 Mile Road, which officials hope spurs a new round of development.

“The redevelopment up and down Main hasn’t spread yet, so this could by the catalyst to spread it east down 11 Mile,” said Chuck Semchena, Royal Oak city attorney. “It’s good for Royal Oak, good for the property owner, good for the developer, and it will be a plus for the neighborhood.

“This is a unique opportunity, because there aren’t too many locations this size on 11 Mile.”

The former motel site will hold 88 lofts ranging from 900 to 2,500 square feet, said David Strosberg of Morningside, adding that prices will range from the mid-$200s to the mid-$600s.

Called SkyLofts MarketSquare, the brick-and-aluminum exterior will resemble SkyLofts, developers said. Interiors will feature open floor plans, island kitchens, high ceilings, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and exposed spiral ductwork for So-Ho-style loft living.

A heated parking garage for 90 vehicles, storage lockers and an on-site fitness facility will occupy the ground floor.

Nico Schultz, development manager for Morningside in Royal Oak, said construction will begin this spring at the site across the street from the Farmers Market.

“Its going to change the city a lot, ” said Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison. “It’s going to start driving development down the 11 MIle corridor, which we’ve been trying to do for years.”

Ellison said city officials were pleased with the work Morningside did at Main Place and neighboring SkyLofts, hefty redevelopments that changed the look of the south side of Main Street and represent one of the most visible downtown upgrades.

“Morningside has proved themselves to be someone we can rely on and depend on, and for them to take away this motel – it’s a win-win situation,” Ellison said…

Click here to visit the SkyLofts MarketSquare website!