What is Greater Downtown Detroit?

Downtown Detroit is a complex geographic region of over 5 square miles ecompassing the heart of the city of Detroit proper, and sits squarly in the middle of the Detroit metropolitan region. The greater downtown area is made up of four major regions along with over 30 subregions, or districts. This area of Detroit sets the tone for the entire metro area and serves as Michigan's front porch to the international business centers beyond. The greater downtown area contains the region's densiest business center, major local, state and federal offices, major cultural and civic organizations and institutions, Michigan's premier convention center, plus most of the regions professional sports teams.

The four regions of greater downtown are:

Downtown Detroit:

Downtown Detroit is the area most commonly associated with greater downtown detroit. Confusing, huh? This area provides the major focuses of a traditional core: a large skyline representing major architectural styles, is the focal center of the entertianment disticts for greater downtown and is the locale for major civic offices and legal centers. Districts within Downtown Detroit include Central Business District, Harmomie Park, Theatre District (Foxtown), Greektown, Detroit Civic Center and the Stadium District.

Midtown Detroit:

Midtown Detroit is a revival story that constantly is evolving and growing. Just north of Downtown Detroit, Midtown is a more residential based community supplemented by some of the city's major institution. The state of Michigans largest district of devoted cultural institutions is the Detroit University Cultural Center. It sits adjacent to the state's third largest school, Wayne State University. Wayne State is one of the country's best urban universities. Other major districts in Midtown Detroit include the in flux region of Cass Park, plus the rebounding Brush Park and the world renouned Detroit Medical Center.

Uptown Detroit:

Uptown Detroit is centered around the 1920's development of the New Center Area by the centralzing of General Motors Global Headquarters and the (Body by) Fisher Buildings. New Center was a development of a secondary downtrown business district. This aided the areas developments of a major regional hospital, as well as planned and built historic neighborhoods. To the east of the traditional New Center lies a heavily challenged area known as Milwaukee Junction, centered off of the heavily industrial Piquette Avenue.

Outlying of Downtown Detroit:

The distinct areas surrounding the three major regions of greater downtown make up the outlying region. This region has the most diverse makeup of districts due to the different eras each district 'grew' up in. Corktown is Detroit's oldest ethnic neighborhood and was the longtime home of the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Woodbrdige is enjoying a renaissance of home renovations in it's 1880-1920 housing stock. Lafayette Park was developed in part as an urban renewal district with partly designed architecture by Ledwig Miles Van de Rohe. Rivertown is enjoying the planning phase of a financed $500 million deal to create a 3 mile linked parkway system from downtown to Belle Isle. Mexicantown centers of Bagley Street and is the scene of a large population influx of hispanic immigrants.

Map of Greater Downtown Detroit