SERVICES

Architectural/Engineering
Construction Management

CONSTRUTION COST

$10 Million

START / COMPLETE

1992 - 1993

SIZE

475,000 sf
1,016 Cars

BEI Architects & Engineers, Inc. designed and engineered the Monroe Avenue Parking Structure not only to accommodate 1,016 automobiles and retail space, but to also accept future construction of a twin-town luxury suite hotel or residential apartments. Located in Detroit's historic Greektown district, the parking structure was designed to blend into the vintage surroundings, as well as to allow for easy parking and access to the heart of Greektown by a totally enclosed pedestrian bridge.

The 475,258 square foot, seven level parking structure features 42,186 square feet of retail space on the first level and the 80 foot pedestrian bridge connects to the nearby International Center, Greektown's original retail mall. The structure is the first phase of a planned mixed use complex and was designed to interface easily with future construction. More than 3,000 precast concrete components were used in this parking structure, including elements with dimensions of up to 38' x 10', and weighs up to 56,000 pounds. The choice of precast concrete offered many advantages over other systems. These systems included shorter construction, schedule cost reduction, and the ability to have clear spans in the parking aisles.

Another feature of the structure is the level perimeter floors interconnected with sloping ramps which make parking easier. The exterior features simulated brick inlay which blends with its historic surroundings.