Two New York City firms have teamed up to breathe new life into a once-forgotten neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, through a series of ambitious adaptive reuse initiatives.

The collaboration between Peterson Rich Office (PRO) and the Office of Strategy and Design (OSD) has transformed Little Village, a previously underutilized area defined by parking lots, alleyways, and vacant spaces, into a cohesive network of parks linked by a pedestrian pathway known as the Nave. Once a desolate alley, the Nave now serves as a scenic walkway leading to a 110-year-old Romanesque church that has been reimagined as The Shepherd, a vibrant cultural arts center.

As reported by Architect Magazine, PRO approached the church’s redesign with a deep respect for its historical architecture, ensuring its character remained intact while adapting it for new uses. The Shepherd now accommodates diverse programming, including gallery exhibitions, live performances, and immersive art installations. The center’s grand opening in late 2024 featured a retrospective celebrating the life and legacy of Charles McGee (1942–2021), a revered Detroit artist known for the “Unity” mural displayed on the exterior of the Detroit Institute of Arts. In his honor, Little Village also unveiled the Charles McGee Legacy Park, which showcases large-scale sculptures conceptualized by McGee prior to his passing.

The Shepherd is also home to the Little Village Library, curated by Asmaa Walton of the Black Art Library. The collection highlights the contributions of artists of color who have had a significant impact on Michigan’s art scene.

The Little Village project is the brainchild of Anthony and JJ Curis, co-founders of Library Street Collective, an art gallery championing Detroit’s flourishing arts community. Their vision for the area continues to evolve, with plans announced in May for an expansion that will incorporate a waterfront redevelopment.

“The Shepherd reshapes an institution that built community around religion, to one that will build community around the arts,” said PRO Principals Miriam Peterson and Nathan Rich in a statement to Architect Magazine. “Anthony and JJ’s commitment to expanding access to arts in the city of Detroit is nothing short of transformational. Our firm is honored to play a role in this special project.”

Other Key Components of the Little Village Redevelopment

In addition to The Shepherd, the Little Village campus boasts several other adaptive reuse projects designed to foster community engagement and support the arts:

• ALEO: A boutique bed-and-breakfast that serves as a haven for artists and cultural travelers. It features artwork from nearly 30 Detroit-connected artists and doubles as the headquarters for McArthur Binion’s Foundation and Modern Ancient Brown, a nonprofit providing mentorship and residency programs for BIPOC artists and writers
• Bridgehouse: This project transforms two former farmhouses into culinary spaces envisioned by Ishtiaq Rafiuddin of Detroit-based design studio Undecorated. Bridgehouse will include a new patisserie by James Beard award-winning chef Warda Bouguettaya, offering artisanal pastries and confections
• Father Forgive Me: A cocktail bar set to occupy the church’s former garage, adding a contemporary social gathering space to the mix
• The LANTERN: A former bakery that has been reimagined as a multi-use facility supporting local artists and creative enterprises. It offers affordable studios for artists, space for arts nonprofits, a recording studio for a local record label, and a blend of retail and culinary ventures

 

A Broader Push for Detroit’s Renaissance

The Little Village project is just one chapter in Detroit’s broader revitalization narrative. Long known as the Motor City, Detroit has undergone a steady transformation in recent years, garnering national recognition for its cultural resurgence. In 2024, it earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best Places to Go in North America & the Caribbean” and AFAR’s “Where to Go in 2024” lists.

Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, acknowledged this momentum in a statement on the organization’s website.

“This recognition of Detroit is a testament to Detroiters and their hospitality that reveals to visitors and locals alike a sense of the possible, all done with a smile or knowing head nod,” he said. “Detroit’s recognition is a source of pride for all Michiganders and highlights the collective efforts of the state’s vibrant communities, innovative entrepreneurs, and dedicated workforce that make our state a remarkable place to live and visit. As we celebrate this honor, trust and believe, we know that we must continue to invest in the city to sustain the momentum that this recognition underscores.”

 

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