Commercial Property Sales
DET Properties specializes in guiding clients through the buying and selling of commercial real estate, including retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties.
Michigan State University (MSU) is moving forward with a transformative $150 million development plan that will bring a new athletics arena, hotel, retail, and academic space to the west side of its East Lansing campus. Approved by the Board of Trustees, the Spartan Gateway District will span 14 acres and include a 6,000-seat Olympic Sports Arena, hospitality facilities, and mixed-use commercial development. The initiative aims to strengthen MSU’s competitive positioning in athletics while creating new economic and educational opportunities. Located at the intersection of South Harrison and Trowbridge Roads, the project will replace aging infrastructure and expand MSU’s ability to host regional competitions, academic programming, and community events. President Kevin Guskiewicz emphasized the project’s role in forging new public-private partnerships and elevating the university’s physical and economic presence. “The gateway district will enhance the community’s economic, health, and quality of life,” he noted. A New Era for Olympic Sports at MSU At the center of the development is the Olympic Sports Arena, a state-of-the-art facility supporting MSU’s volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics programs. Initially proposed as a 4,000-seat venue, the university expanded plans to 6,000 seats, better positioning the school to host Big Ten and regional championships. Most peer institutions already maintain dedicated Olympic sports venues, and the new arena will help MSU keep pace in the expanded 18-team Big Ten Conference, which now includes USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. In addition to athletics, the facility will include locker rooms, coaching offices, and classroom space, creating opportunities for collaboration between the Intercollegiate Athletics Department and various academic units. The arena is designed to serve not only MSU students and athletes but also the broader Michigan high school sports community as a potential host site for state tournaments. Mixed-Use Vision with Hospitality and Academic Impact The Spartan Gateway District will include a new hotel that complements the 73-year-old Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, helping to support demand for lodging, retail, and conference space tied to MSU’s growing academic and athletic programs. Future phases will introduce retail storefronts, office space, and potentially housing—expanding the campus’ footprint as a multi-functional destination for students, visitors, and professionals. Guskiewicz highlighted the role the project will play in workforce development. Engagement with MSU’s School of Hospitality Business, Health Sciences, and other colleges will position the district as a talent hub, helping students gain hands-on experience in real-world environments while supporting local economic growth. Financing and Oversight To support the broader scope of campus capital improvements, MSU’s Board of Trustees also authorized the issuance of up to $362 million in general revenue bonds to finance additional projects, refinance existing debt, and cover related costs. While most trustees supported the Gateway District proposal, Trustee Mike Balow voted against it, and Trustee Sandy Pierce recused herself from the vote for undisclosed reasons. The development will proceed through a public-private partnership structure, allowing MSU to tap into private-sector expertise while retaining long-term control of the campus land via a ground lease. The university views this as a critical component of its strategy to modernize its facilities, strengthen community ties, and create a new entry point to the East Lansing campus that reflects its ambitions for the future.
Construction has officially begun on Tower on Grand, a 28-story residential high-rise set to become Lansing’s tallest building and the centerpiece of a broader $318 million revitalization plan aimed at transforming Michigan’s capital city. The project, led by New Vision Lansing, marks one of the most ambitious downtown redevelopments in the region’s history. Redefining the Urban Core The development comes at a pivotal moment for Lansing’s central business district, which has struggled with reduced foot traffic due to remote work trends among state employees. The Tower on Grand and its surrounding mixed-use projects aim to reverse that trajectory by injecting 567 new housing units and activated ground-floor retail into key corridors of downtown. “Today we break ground not just on a building, but on a new era for downtown Lansing,” said John Gentilozzi, Vice President of Gentilozzi Real Estate. “Tower on Grand is the beginning of a new wave of investment, opportunity, and growth.” Transformational Development Backed by Major Incentives The project is backed by over $200 million in state transformational brownfield funding, allowing developers to capture income and property taxes typically allocated to local governments and schools — a strategic financing structure designed to spark large-scale redevelopment. The development is a partnership between Lansing-based Gentilozzi Real Estate and Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investments, operating under the name New Vision Lansing. “This tower, and the community it’s helping to build, is proof that the progress we’re making is working,” said Mayor Andy Schor. “New Vision Lansing is a key part of that momentum.” What’s Planned? The Tower on Grand will stand as Lansing’s tallest building at over 300 feet, featuring 28 stories of residential and luxury amenity space. Designed by Hobbs + Black Architects and built by Christman Companies, the project will include a fitness center, yoga studio, green space, and golf and race simulators honoring the Gentilozzi family legacy. Residents will also enjoy hot and cold plunge areas, a penthouse sky lounge with private dining, and riverfront live-work units with balconies. Three penthouse floors will offer two-story suites with private terraces, with leasing expected to begin in early 2028 after 27 months of construction. Surrounding developments led by New Vision Lansing will add density and vibrancy throughout downtown. A 10-story historic office building at Washington Square and Michigan Avenue is being converted into 60 residential units with first-floor retail. Across from the Capitol, the six-story Capitol Tower will include 105 housing units, office space, and structured parking. Nearby, the Ingham Building will become a five-story office and residential building with retail and 25 furnished apartments designed for legislators and staff. In Lansing’s Old Town neighborhood, a seven-story infill development will introduce 90 new residential units, adding much-needed housing inventory just northwest of downtown. Each of these projects contributes to a strategic vision of transforming underutilized sites into activated, mixed-use communities. The combined plan aims to attract new residents, increase walkability, and stimulate local business activity across the central business district. Together, these developments signal a bold step toward long-term downtown revitalization. A Legacy of Development, A Vision for the Future “Our journey began in 1960 with my father,” said Paul Gentilozzi, CEO of New Vision Lansing. “Today, with our partners — the Kosik family — we begin the largest project in our history. In two years, we’ll stand atop Lansing’s tallest building — a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and community support.” With strong public-private partnerships, local architectural talent, and a bold commitment to residential density, New Vision Lansing is poised to reshape the city’s downtown fabric — turning vacant or underutilized properties into vibrant, connected, and livable communities.
