With eight or nine new communities underway, Crosswinds Communities is among greater Detroit's busier builders. Press and praise have followed the opening of Crosswinds' small but highly successful market-rate community within the city.
In 1995, the city released a downtown site for development. Crosswinds was the only developer that proposed building a non-subsidized housing community. The company won the bid--and is now reaping the rewards of high sales with its 500-unit Woodward Place in historic Brush Park.
"The city asked us if we were sure we could do it, and we proved we could," says Bernie Glieberman, Crosswinds' president. "It's getting better and better," he adds, referring to the growing demand for urban housing. "There are thousands of singles, young professionals, and empty-nesters who want to be in an urban setting."
Glieberman admits that building in town is more expensive, but he charges more per square foot. "Buyers are willing to pay the price to give up commuting and be near where they spend their time."
Woodward Place's best-selling model, the St. Aubin, offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached lower-level garage priced from $200,000. While not inexpensive, large segments of professionals and empty-nesters have ensured the success of the 1,300-square-foot-plus homes. "You can walk to restaurants, museums, nightclubs. You don't need amenities," notes Glieberman.
Project: The St. Aubin at Woodward Place at Brush Park, Detroit; Sales started: August 1999; Sales through August 2000: 56; Units released through May 2000: 60; Units planned: 500; Price: $199,000 to $259,000; Unit size: 1,309 square feet; Builder: Crosswinds Communities, Detroit; Architect: Hamilton-Anderson, Detroit; Interior merchandiser: In-house; Landscape architect: Effective Enhancement, Detroit; Ad agency: Group Two Advertising, Philadelphia
