Downtown Birmingham, Michigan, is abuzz with anticipation. This upscale Oakland County enclave, long known for its boutique charm and luxury shopping, is about to get even posher. Over the coming months, a slate of high-end designer stores and lifestyle brands are setting up shop along Old Woodward and Maple, invigorating the city’s already vibrant retail scene. Retail space in Birmingham’s central business district is currently 97% leased, a remarkable occupancy rate that speaks to the downtown’s allure. Now, with several prominent fashion and home goods retailers on the way, Birmingham’s status as Metro Detroit’s premier shopping destination is stronger than ever.

rag & bone, Facebook

Luxury Brands Flocking to Birmingham’s Downtown

In a trend that has both fashionistas and families excited, Birmingham is seeing an influx of national luxury retailers opening their doors downtown. These new arrivals are taking over prominent storefronts and bringing fresh energy to the streetscape. Here’s a look at the high-end brands joining the Birmingham shopping district:

  • Rag & Bone – The trendy New York fashion label (known for its premium denim and urban chic apparel) will open its first standalone Michigan store at 110 S. Old Woodward Ave. The two-level, loft-style boutique, about 2,000 square feet, is under construction now and expected to open in early 2026. Rag & Bone has until now only been available locally via upscale department stores (like Saks Fifth Avenue in Troy), so its arrival in Birmingham is a big win for the city’s retail mix.

  • Vuori – This fast-growing California-based activewear brand is bringing laid-back luxury to Birmingham. Vuori plans to open a nearly 4,000 sq. ft. flagship store on the southwest corner of Old Woodward and Maple, the spot previously used as RH’s temporary showroom. Construction is slated to begin in early 2026 with an opening expected by mid-2026. Vuori already has a presence in Metro Detroit (with a smaller location at Somerset Collection in Troy), but the Birmingham store will be a signature location showcasing the brand’s blend of performance and lifestyle apparel.

  • J.Jill – “Store of the Future” Concept. The national women’s apparel brand J.Jill is preparing to debut a new concept store in downtown Birmingham. It will occupy 3,100 square feet in the historic building at 284 W. Maple Road (formerly home to outdoor outfitter Moosejaw). This reimagined J.Jill store, described as more open and experiential in design, is anticipated to open in early 2026. Sitting adjacent to the existing Eileen Fisher boutique, it will bolster Birmingham’s offerings for upscale women’s fashion.

  • Design Within Reach (DWR) – Modern furniture aficionados have reason to celebrate too. Design Within Reach, renowned for its mid-century modern and contemporary furnishings, is returning to Birmingham’s retail scene. DWR has signed on to occupy about 8,000 sq. ft. of the former Anthropologie space at 214 W. Maple Road. The new showroom is expected to open in early 2026 alongside another yet-to-be-announced tenant that will fill the remaining space. DWR’s comeback (they previously had a presence in the area) reinforces Birmingham’s draw as a home design hub as well as a fashion hub.

  • RH (Restoration Hardware) Flagship – Towering above them all, quite literally, is the long-anticipated RH Detroit Gallery at Old Woodward and Brown Street. RH, the luxury home furnishings retailer, is putting the finishing touches on its new four-story, 55,000 sq. ft. flagship store, complete with a rooftop restaurant and underground parking. After years of development twists and turns, the striking building is slated to open by early November 2025, anchoring the south end of downtown. Locals have watched this massive structure rise across from the Daxton Hotel, and its debut is expected to be a red-letter day for Birmingham’s retail scene. Not only will RH offer floors of high-end furniture galleries, but the RH Rooftop Restaurant (serving refined American cuisine and fine wines) will open at the same time, adding a unique dining experience to downtown. In many ways, RH’s arrival has been the catalyst for the current wave of retail interest in Birmingham.

Downtown Birmingham’s street-side shopping district along Old Woodward Avenue. The city’s walkable center is attracting new luxury retailers amid near-full occupancy.

Each of these new stores brings something special, be it cutting-edge fashion, active lifestyle apparel, or modern home décor, further elevating the shopping experience in Birmingham. City leaders and business owners are optimistic that this infusion of retail talent will keep more shoppers spending their time (and money) in Birmingham instead of heading to malls or shopping online. And with several grand openings on the horizon, downtown streets that were once quiet during certain hours could soon be buzzing with activity day and night.

  

Balancing Fashion, Furniture and a Thriving Retail Mix

Birmingham’s retail renaissance didn’t happen overnight. In recent years, the downtown saw a home décor boom, with upscale furniture and design showrooms setting up shop. The city became home to the flagship RH gallery, a CB2 store (Crate & Barrel’s trendy sibling) opened in late 2022, and Serena & Lily launched its first Michigan design shop here in 2022. “There’s been a large influx of furniture and design stores that have come into Birmingham, and that’s great, obviously we’re very proud of that,” said Sam Surnow, a local developer and member of the Birmingham Shopping District board. Indeed, Birmingham quickly gained a reputation as a destination for high-end home furnishings.

However, both officials and residents recognized the need for balance. A vibrant downtown benefits from a diverse mix of retail, not just home goods, but fashion, dining, and entertainment too. As Surnow and others have noted, Birmingham has looked to peer communities (like Naperville, IL and other upscale towns) for inspiration on cultivating the right retail mix. The recent push to recruit apparel brands was very intentional. After all, a shopper might come downtown to outfit their living room, but why not also be able to pick up a new outfit for themselves?

Local business experts are excited that the pendulum is swinging back toward soft goods (clothing and accessories) to complement the hard goods. “The fact that it’s apparel is very exciting,” said Erica Dunlap, a Birmingham-based retail broker, about the new fashion retailers arriving downtown. “I think those are very complementary uses for shoppers in Birmingham. Home furnishings and soft goods retail are complementary.” In other words, having both stylish furniture stores and clothing boutiques side by side creates a symbiosis; it turns Birmingham into a one-stop destination for luxury lifestyle shopping. Shoppers can browse for a sofa at RH or DWR, then pop next door to try on premium jeans at Rag & Bone or update their wardrobe at J.Jill. This crossover potential is a boon for business.

City data backs up the success of Birmingham’s approach. The Birmingham Shopping District reports that downtown retail occupancy stands at 96-97% throughout 2025, essentially fully leased. Empty storefronts are increasingly rare, and any that do become available are quickly snapped up by incoming tenants. Such high occupancy is a far cry from a decade ago, and it reflects how in-demand Birmingham’s downtown has become for retailers. High foot traffic, safety, and an affluent customer base make it a prized location. As one local official put it, Birmingham has evolved into “a shopping, dining, and community destination” by carefully blending different types of businesses and amenities. Simply put, success breeds success, the more vibrant the mix of stores, the more shoppers are drawn to stroll Birmingham’s sidewalks, which in turn attracts even more retailers seeking a piece of the action.

Why High-End Brands are Choosing Birmingham

What is it about Birmingham that has national brands clamoring to open here? The city may be relatively small (about 21,000 residents), but it boasts outsized influence in Michigan’s retail landscape. “Birmingham has always been a jewel in Michigan’s retail landscape, and these latest leases reaffirm its strength as a destination for national and luxury brands,” said retail consultant Cindy Ciura, whose firm brokered many of the recent deals. In the eyes of luxury retailers, Birmingham offers several key advantages:

  • Affluent, Fashion-Savvy Clientele: Birmingham sits in the heart of Oakland County’s wealth belt. Surrounding communities like Bloomfield Hills, Troy, and Beverly Hills contribute to a concentration of high-income shoppers. These consumers have the discretionary income to support upscale stores, whether it’s $200 designer jeans or investment-piece furniture. Brands like rag & bone and RH know their customer base is here. If you’re a luxury retailer in Michigan, you want to be where the money is, and Birmingham undeniably fits the bill.

  • Walkable Downtown Vibe: Unlike a traditional mall or isolated shopping center, Birmingham offers a charming, walkable downtown filled with sidewalk cafés, public art, and historic architecture. Many high-end brands are gravitating toward such “High Street” environments that provide a unique shopping experience. Strolling Old Woodward on a Saturday afternoon feels different (and for many, more enjoyable) than going to an indoor mall. Birmingham delivers an experience, shoppers can browse boutiques, grab a coffee at an independent cafe, enjoy the park, and now even dine on a rooftop garden at RH, all in one trip. This experiential factor is a big draw. “Birmingham continues to attract some of the finest names in fashion and lifestyle… further enhancing its reputation as the premier place to shop, dine, and gather,” Ciura noted, emphasizing that the city’s appeal lies in being more than just a place to buy things; it’s a place to spend a day out.

  • Proximity to Detroit and Regional Access: As a northern suburb of Detroit, Birmingham is centrally located for Metro Detroit’s east-west travel corridors. It’s easily accessible from I-75 (via Troy) and from the affluent lakefront communities to the east. This convenient access means Birmingham can pull shoppers from across the region, from downtown Detroit professionals to Oakland County families, who see a trip to Birmingham as a worthwhile outing. The city is also just 20 minutes from Somerset Collection in Troy (the region’s top luxury mall), and in some ways, Birmingham serves as a complementary open-air alternative to the mall experience. Retailers might locate in Birmingham to capture those customers looking for something a bit different from the mall scene, while still staying in the same trade area.

  • Established Prestige and Marketing Buzz: Birmingham isn’t an untested market, it has pedigree. Iconic local businesses (from the Townsend Hotel to longstanding boutiques) have cemented Birmingham’s reputation for luxury and quality over the years. When a new store opens here, it tends to make headlines in the local press and gets attention from Detroit media and influencers. The recent announcements of rag & bone, Vuori, and others have been covered in business news, generating buzz that effectively markets Birmingham as the place to be. This creates a virtuous cycle: the more high-profile the openings, the more other brands take notice. As Ciura hinted, “there’s still more to come”, suggesting that even more deals are in the pipeline thanks to Birmingham’s momentum.

A glimpse of the elegant RH Rooftop Restaurant interior planned for Birmingham’s new RH Gallery. The downtown Birmingham flagship store (opening late 2025) will feature a fourth-floor dining space, blending shopping with a luxury hospitality experience.

Want a quick primer on why Birmingham’s downtown works so well for shoppers? Read Explore Michigan: Must-See Downtowns for Your Next Trip.

   

Local Buzz: Community Excitement and Impact

Talk to any Birmingham local, and you’ll sense genuine excitement about these developments. There’s a proud sense that “our downtown is thriving.” Residents who have lived in the area for decades recall ebbs and flows in Birmingham’s retail scene, from the rise of big chains in the 1990s, to some quieter years, to the recent resurgence driven by careful planning. Seeing vacant storefronts now being filled by best-in-class brands feels like a validation of the city’s direction.

Local shoppers are already making plans for the new arrivals. Fashion-forward families are eager to browse Vuori’s athleisure wear (imagine moms picking up performance leggings after a morning yoga class, or dads finding stylish yet comfortable weekend gear). Style-savvy professionals are anticipating rag & bone’s opening, knowing they won’t have to trek to New York or order online for the latest pieces; they can find them right downtown. And home design enthusiasts are practically counting down the days until they can wander through RH’s lavish galleries and DWR’s modern furniture displays in person, getting inspiration for their homes.

There’s also a ripple effect expected for locally-owned businesses. More foot traffic drawn by the big-name stores can benefit the smaller boutiques, restaurants, and service providers nearby. A shopper coming to visit the new RH or rag & bone might stay for dinner at a Birmingham bistro or stop for dessert at a local ice cream shop. The Birmingham Principal Shopping District has actively promoted events and initiatives to capitalize on this influx, from special shopping nights to partnerships with the new retailers for grand-opening celebrations. It all contributes to a sense that Birmingham is the place to be for an enjoyable day out.

Local officials and business owners note that this wave of investment also keeps Birmingham competitive with other destinations. In the broader Metro Detroit area, there are multiple shopping hubs, from downtown Detroit’s emerging retail (like the Shinola Hotel shops and Nike’s flagship) to other upscale suburbs like Royal Oak or Ann Arbor. Birmingham’s strategy of attracting top-tier brands while maintaining its small-city charm helps it stand apart. “Birmingham has always been a little gem, you have this beautiful downtown where you can walk everywhere,” says a local real estate expert. “Now with even more high-end stores, it’s like our own Michigan Avenue in miniature, but with that friendly neighborhood feel.” The comparison to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile might be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it reflects local pride in what Birmingham offers.

Importantly, these developments are happening with an eye on preserving what residents love about Birmingham. The city has strict design and zoning standards, so new stores must fit Birmingham’s aesthetic. For example, the RH building’s architecture went through several redesigns to ensure it complements the downtown (hence the delays waiting on those special windows from Greece and Italian brickwork!). The end result is expected to be an architectural showpiece that blends modern luxury with Birmingham’s classic character. Similarly, Rag & Bone’s storefront is being built to deliver a “modern, elevated shopping experience” while still harmonizing with the historic streetscape.

For a snapshot of how beloved Birmingham staples are evolving alongside new luxury retail, see Hunter House Hamburgers Moving to New Birmingham Location After 73 Years.

A New Era for Downtown Birmingham – Come Experience It

All signs indicate that Birmingham is entering a new era of retail vitality, one that will benefit both the local community and visitors from across Metro Detroit. The combination of global luxury brands and local charm creates a magnetic appeal. As Cindy Ciura put it, Birmingham is solidifying its reputation as “the premier place to shop, dine, and gather” in the region. The shopping district isn’t just about stores; it’s about the whole experience of a day (or an evening) spent in a beautiful, bustling downtown.

For readers and would-be shoppers: now is the perfect time to rediscover downtown Birmingham. Take a stroll down Old Woodward Avenue and peek at the stylish window displays going in. Mark your calendars for those grand openings in the coming months, whether you’re curious to check out the sleek new rag & bone boutique or dine under the skylights at RH’s rooftop restaurant. Even if you’re just window-shopping, the energy in Birmingham is contagious.

And if you happen to be considering making Birmingham home (or opening a business here), this retail momentum speaks volumes about the city’s desirability and growth. There’s a reason occupancy is high and demand keeps climbing. As a longtime Metro Detroit real estate expert (and proud Michigander) will tell you, a thriving downtown often boosts the whole community, from property values to the quality of life. Birmingham’s schools, parks, and neighborhoods have always been a big draw for families; now its shopping and dining scene is the icing on the cake.

Thinking about next steps for your own move? Read Why Summer Is the Best Time to Sell in Birmingham, Michigan for timing insights.

  


In closing, an invitation: come experience the Birmingham buzz for yourself. Enjoy an afternoon of upscale shopping, grab lunch at a sidewalk café or the new RH restaurant, and see how this walkable downtown seamlessly blends luxury and local warmth. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast hunting for the latest trends or a family looking for a fun day out, downtown Birmingham is ready to welcome you with style. And if you ever need personalized insight about the community, the housing market, or tips on the best new shops, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local expert who knows Birmingham inside and out. In a city that’s truly hitting its stride, you won’t want to miss what’s next.

DON'T KEEP US A SECRET - SHARE WITH A FRIEND OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

         

 

THINKING OF MOVING TO Birmingham, OR LOOKING TO RELOCATE IN THE AREA? VIEW A LIST OF CURRENT HOMES FOR SALE BELOW.

Search Birmingham Homes for Sale



The Perna Team and Michael Perna are the best real estate agents in Birmingham and Ann Arbor. The Perna Team and Michael Perna have been hired as a real estate agent by hundreds of home owners to sell their homes in Birmingham and Ann Arbor.

Posted by Michael Perna on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.