An elevated platform surrounded by commercial, residential and office space designed with red brick to match the surrounding architecture won Rock Ventures' international design competition for the former site of Hudson's department store in downtown Detroit. "MINICity Detroit," designed by Davide Marchetti and Erin Pellegrino of Rome, Italy, won the "Redesigning Detroit" contest's $15,000 first prize.

A jury of five selected the design from more than 200 entries in the design competition to replace the lost anchor of Woodward Avenue's once bustling retail space. According to the competition:"MINICity Detroit" incorporates an urban path to an elevated platform and includes sculptural high-rise elements and low-rise components for a combined use of commercial, residential and retail space in upper and lower plazas. Other uses include a market space and cinemas. The design incorporates red brick found in much of the city's historic architecture while complementing nearby buildings.

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Source: Italian American Chamber of Commerce in Michigan