WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — A plan for vacant land off U.S. 23 could bring new apartments and retail near Whitmore Lake, north of Ann Arbor.
Developers are eyeing land in Northfield Township for 328 apartments with a clubhouse and an approximately 8,000-square-foot commercial building for restaurants, retail and service businesses. The proposed development, called the Groves of Whitmore Lake, would be constructed on about 65 acres on the south side of N. Territorial Road east of U.S. 23.
“Our initial interest in this area is it feels like a natural path to progress,” Michael Wayne, managing partner of Auburn Hills-based Detroit Riverside Capital, said.
While Ann Arbor and areas to the east, west and south have more options for multi-family housing, “the north is not as developed,” Wayne said.
Livonia-based firm Schostak Brothers and Co. and Detroit Riverside Capital are partnering on the proposed development. They have done site investigation work and a traffic study, and they are working with Designhaus Architecture, based in Auburn Hills, on plans.
They were originally set to introduce the project at a township Planning Commission meeting Wednesday, Jan. 8, but it was cancelled and pushed to a later date, possibly the next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The apartments would be rented at market rate, Wayne said, and developers are looking into potentially making some units affordable.
“We’re exploring government incentives,” he said.

An architectural rendering by Designhaus Architecture shows a proposed 328-unit apartment community of N. Territorial Road east of U.S. 23 in Northfield Township.Provided by Designhaus Architecture
The apartments would be “an alternative for people who don’t want the hustle and bustle of downtown” but still want to live near Ann Arbor, he said.
He expects some of the units to be rented by people with school-aged children, which would increase enrollment in Whitmore Lake schools.
The proposed entrance is less than a half mile from the busy double roundabouts at the U.S. 23 interchange, which saw more than 6,600 vehicles on average a day in 2023, according to county traffic counts.
A traffic impact assessment conducted by civil engineers with Fleis and VandenBrink, which has offices throughout Michigan, concludes “there will be negligible impact and additional delay for traffic along N. Territorial,” according to the report.
The report determined left- and right-turn lanes into the development are needed, but they wouldn’t have to add a traffic signal.
The apartment community would feature a clubhouse with a golf simulator, fitness center, areas for people who work remotely and places for residents to congregate.
Developers plan to keep about 20 acres on the south end of the property natural, preserving mature trees and about six acres of wetlands. They would add nature trails that could be used by the general public. Other features could include a gazebo and grilling stations, along with a dog park on the north side of the site and a pocket park near the entrance.
The proposed commercial building could house two to five tenants, and Wayne expects about four.
“We want to bring businesses to the community, some type of restaurant or quick service restaurant,” along with “services, whether it’s hair and nails or other forms of service-based businesses that can support the needs of the community,” Wayne said
They hope to get the project approved this year and begin construction by 2026. The plan is to build it in phases, beginning with about half of the apartments.
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