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The spot where Detroiters once cheered on the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena is buzzing again, this time with construction cranes and a bold vision for the city’s future. The former Joe Louis Arena site on downtown Detroit’s west riverfront is being reborn as “Water Square,” a new mixed-use development that’s bringing luxury apartments, a high-end hotel, and a revitalized public transit hub to the banks of the Detroit River. In the process, it’s also creating a much-needed pedestrian-friendly corridor reconnecting downtown to the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk. The transformation promises to make this corner of the city a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, blending Detroit’s rich history with its forward-looking renaissance.
The Residences Water Square, Facebook
From “The Joe” to “Water Square”: A Historic Site’s New Identity
For decades, Joe Louis Arena was a pillar of Detroit’s riverfront, the legendary home of the Detroit Red Wings and a venue etched in local memories. After the arena closed in 2017 and was demolished by 2020, the area it occupied felt like a void, a prime piece of riverfront real estate waiting for its next chapter. Now that chapter is here, and it even comes with a new name. The city’s Detroit People Mover station that once served the arena has officially been renamed Water Square Station, reflecting the identity of the emerging neighborhood around it.
This station, located along the 2.9-mile elevated People Mover loop, had been known as West Riverfront Station for the past several years (a change made after Joe Louis Arena closed). With the rise of the Water Square development, city officials decided it was time the station’s name caught up to the changes on the ground. Unveiled with fanfare by Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan and executives from the Sterling Group (the site’s developer), the Water Square Station moniker isn’t just a new label on a transit stop. It’s symbolic of Detroit’s progress: a historic site reinvented for modern community needs. As Gary Torgow, founder of Sterling Group, put it during the announcement, “It’s more than a name that we’re changing. It’s a marker of progress, partnership and possibility.” In other words, Water Square Station is now a gateway to the new Detroit.
Learn how the JW Marriott fits into Detroit’s wider 2025 development surge in our post on Detroit’s 2025 Transformation
A Hub of Development: Luxury Apartments, a JW Marriott, and More
The excitement around Water Square Station is tied directly to the new developments rising around it. The Sterling Group’s ambitious project is turning the former arena lot into a mini-neighborhood of its own, with both residential and commercial components:
- The Residences at Water Square: A luxury apartment high-rise that opened in early 2024, bringing 496 modern units to the downtown market. It’s the tallest residential building Detroit has seen in decades, and new tenants are already calling the riverfront home.
- JW Marriott Detroit at Water Square: A 25-story, 600-room JW Marriott hotel under construction, slated to open in 2027. This upscale hotel will be the first ever to connect directly to Detroit’s convention center (Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Center) via an enclosed skybridge, making it a game-changer for attracting big conventions and events.
- Water Square Station (People Mover): The newly renamed People Mover stop adjacent to these developments, which is undergoing a major exterior renovation to better serve passengers and fit the neighborhood’s polished look by the end of 2026.
- Second Avenue Extension: A new pedestrian and bike-friendly roadway extending Second Ave. from Congress Street to the riverfront (through what used to be the Joe Louis Arena footprint). Expected by fall 2026, this will for the first time in decades create a direct street connection from downtown to the West Riverfront area.
- Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park nearby: Just a few blocks away, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is finishing a 22-acre world-class park (opening soon), poised to become a major attraction and green space for families and downtown residents.
Together, these projects are transforming a once isolated pocket of downtown into a lively, connected hub. “The developments are clearing the way for additional projects and increasing demand for the People Mover,” notes Robert Cramer, the chief operating officer of the Detroit Transportation Corporation. In fact, the Sterling Group has even signaled there’s more to come: late last year the developer acquired an additional 3 acres of land just west of the apartment tower. While detailed plans for that parcel haven’t been announced yet, Sterling Group’s team hinted it won’t stay a parking lot for long. They have a “big vision for the riverfront” with plenty of room for more mixed-use projects that will complement what’s already underway. For locals, that means the Water Square area could continue to grow with new amenities, shops or even more housing in the near future, further solidifying this district as a downtown destination.
Upgrading the People Mover Station for a Modern Downtown
One of the most immediately visible changes at the old Joe Louis Arena site is happening at the People Mover station itself. The Detroit People Mover, an elevated light-rail loop circling downtown, has been in operation since 1987 and is beloved by some for its quirky charm (and air-conditioned rides through the skyline) even as others joked about its light usage over the years. But with new attractions on the west riverfront, the People Mover is set to get a boost, and the city is investing to make sure the system is ready.
Water Square Station, being the closest stop to the riverfront and the new developments, will undergo a $1 million overhaul of its exterior and facilities. This facelift, slated to be completed by late 2026, will make the station more welcoming, safe, and visually cohesive with its upscale neighbors. The renovation is a public-private effort: half the funding ($500,000) comes from the Sterling Group as part of a community benefits agreement tied to their development, and the other half is being matched by the Detroit Transportation Corporation (which operates the People Mover). The result will be a station that isn’t just a holdover from the 1980s, but rather a modern transit gateway fit for 21st-century Detroit. Renderings suggest improved lighting, signage, and accessibility features that will appeal to daily commuters and curious visitors alike.
City officials are optimistic about the station’s renewed role. “Connecting the Water Square moniker to the Detroit People Mover provides a wonderful new addition to Detroit’s history,” Gary Torgow said, underscoring that this is about integrating transit with the city’s ongoing revival. There’s even a fun change happening on board the People Mover: for the first time in its 38-year history, the train’s audio announcements will have a new voice. Longtime Detroit radio personality Lloyd Jackson (of WJR fame) has been announced as the fresh voice greeting riders at each stop. It’s a small touch, but one that locals appreciate, adding a friendly, familiar Detroit voice to the daily commute. As Robert Cramer explained, they wanted an “unforgettable voice that truly embodies and embraces Detroit”, and Lloyd, who grew up in the city, fits the bill. From station improvements to voiceovers, these updates aim to make the People Mover experience more enjoyable and deeply rooted in the community it serves.
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The Residences Water Square, Facebook
A Pedestrian-Friendly Corridor at Last: Second Avenue Extension
Ask any longtime Detroiter, and they’ll tell you that navigating the west side of downtown toward the riverfront used to be tricky. The old Joe Louis Arena was famously built with its back to the city, and for years there was no direct road or sidewalk route from the heart of downtown straight to the river at that site. People often had to zig-zag through parking garages or take out-of-the-way routes to reach the water’s edge near where the arena stood. That’s about to change in dramatic fashion.
As part of the Water Square redevelopment, a new project called the Second Avenue Extension is underway to reconnect the street grid. By Fall 2026, Second Avenue, a major north-south street that currently stops short, will be extended all the way south from Congress Street to Steve Yzerman Drive (near the riverfront). In practical terms, this means Second Avenue will finally reach the Detroit River for the first time in decades. For downtown residents, office workers, and visitors, it opens up a straight path from Grand Circus Park area down through downtown and into the West Riverfront neighborhood, vastly improving access and sightlines.
What’s special about this new roadway is its design: it’s being built not just for cars, but very much with pedestrians and cyclists in mind. City planners describe it as a well-lit, pedestrian- and bike-friendly corridor that will invite people to stroll or bike from the city center to the riverfront attractions. Wide sidewalks and dedicated bike paths will make the short journey safe and enjoyable for families with strollers, joggers, and cyclists. Decorative street lighting and landscaping are planned to create an inviting atmosphere even after dark, addressing a longstanding complaint that parts of downtown’s west side felt desolate or unsafe to walk through in the evenings. Mayor Mike Duggan highlighted that this extension will “transform the area into a well-lit pathway that will appeal to both residents, People Mover riders, and guests visiting the neighborhood.” In essence, the new Second Avenue corridor is stitching back together a piece of Detroit’s urban fabric, making the city more walkable and connected.
For locals, the benefits go beyond convenience. A lively, accessible street means better integration of new developments with existing ones. For example, once Second Avenue goes through, someone staying at the future JW Marriott or living at the Residences will be able to walk directly north into the downtown core (and vice versa) without feeling cut off by superblocks or empty lots. It also means easier access to the People Mover station: instead of being isolated next to a former arena site, Water Square Station will sit along a real city street bustling with foot traffic. All of this adds up to a more vibrant street life where people feel comfortable exploring the area on foot, grabbing a scooter or bike, and truly enjoying the riverfront-to-downtown connection. This kind of walkability and urban vibe is something many Detroiters have been craving, and it aligns with the city’s broader efforts to create a family-friendly, pedestrian-oriented downtown.
For family-friendly RiverWalk tips, see Things to Do in Downtown Detroit with Kids: Ultimate Family Day Out
Connecting to a World-Class Riverwalk and New Park
Another reason the Second Avenue Extension and Water Square Station upgrades are so eagerly anticipated is their proximity to some of Detroit’s crown jewels: the Detroit Riverwalk and the upcoming Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park. The West Riverfront area is on the cusp of becoming a recreational hotspot, and the new station and corridor will function as the gateway.
Detroit’s Riverwalk has already gained national fame, having been voted the “Best Riverwalk in America” three years in a row by USA Today readers. Stretching for miles along the Detroit River, this beautifully maintained promenade is a favorite for joggers, bikers, families, and anyone looking to enjoy waterfront views. Until now, accessing the western section of the Riverwalk near the former Joe Louis Arena site meant weaving through parking lots or taking a circuitous route. But Water Square Station’s improvements and the extended Second Avenue will drop people off just steps from the action. Imagine parking in a downtown garage or arriving by People Mover, and within minutes, you can be walking riverside, enjoying the breeze, public art, and skyline vistas. This convenience is a game-changer for families looking for an easy outing and for downtown workers seeking a scenic lunch-break walk.
Even more transformational is the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park that’s nearing completion just a short stroll from Water Square Station. This 22-acre park (part of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s vision) is scheduled to open soon and is packed with attractions: a sprawling playground dubbed the Delta Dental Play Garden, sport courts, a water garden, picnic spaces, and even a large hill that offers a unique overlook of the river. It’s designed to be a regional destination, the kind of vibrant public space where kids can play and adults can relax at festivals or concerts. Mayor Duggan is so enthusiastic about the park’s draw that he quipped by next summer people might naturally start calling the transit stop the “Ralph Wilson Park Station,” since it’ll be the convenient hop-off point for anyone heading to what promises to be Detroit’s most spectacular park.
From an urban planning perspective, the alignment of Water Square Station with the park and Riverwalk is intentional and powerful. Public transit will deliver people right to these community amenities, reducing the need to drive and park. In turn, the presence of busy public spaces will drive more ridership on the People Mover as Detroiters adopt a park-and-ride or ride-and-walk lifestyle on weekends. Savvy locals are already imagining the possibilities: Families can ride the People Mover downtown (kids love the elevated train ride as an adventure in itself), hop off at Water Square Station, spend an afternoon at the new park or along the river, and then grab dinner at a downtown restaurant, all without dealing with moving the car multiple times. It’s the kind of seamless urban experience that hasn’t always been easy in Detroit, but is increasingly becoming the norm as the city invests in connective infrastructure. In short, Water Square Station and the Second Avenue corridor will serve as the bridge between downtown’s hustle and the tranquility of the riverfront, giving Detroiters the best of both worlds within a few minutes’ walk.
Redefining Downtown Living and Tourism in Detroit
Beyond the bricks, steel, and concrete, the redevelopment of the Joe Louis Arena site carries a broader significance for Detroit: it’s redefining what it means to live, work, and play downtown. The addition of nearly 500 new residential units at The Residences at Water Square means hundreds of new neighbors in the downtown community. Just a decade ago, downtown living in Detroit was a rarity; now, with projects like this, it’s becoming mainstream. These residents aren’t just moving into isolated towers, they’re becoming part of a connected neighborhood with transit at their doorstep and recreation in their backyard. For them, the People Mover’s Water Square Station might become a daily convenience (imagine catching a quick ride to Campus Martius or Greektown without worrying about parking), and the Riverwalk could be an extension of their front yard for morning jogs. This integration of housing with transit and outdoor amenities is a model urban lifestyle that Detroit’s planners and developers have been striving toward as the city bounces back from decades of population decline. It signals a Downtown Detroit that’s more livable and family-friendly than ever.
Then there’s the tourism and business side of the equation. The JW Marriott at Water Square will significantly boost downtown’s hotel room inventory, which is a strategic move for the city. Conventions, sporting events, and festivals draw thousands of visitors, and having a luxury hotel connected directly to Huntington Place Convention Center is a competitive advantage. Conference attendees will be able to walk from their hotel room, across a skybridge, and straight into a convention hall, something Detroit has never offered before at this scale. This convenience can help Detroit attract major national events (think big auto shows, tech conferences, NCAA tournaments) because organizers know attendees have top-notch accommodations a stone’s throw away. Mayor Duggan highlighted that expanding hotel capacity downtown will “increase our competitive bids for national sporting events and conventions.” In recent years, Detroit has been on the rise as a destination (hosting events like the NFL Draft in 2024 and looking to snag others), and developments like the JW Marriott reinforce that momentum.
Crucially, all these pieces, residential, transportation, entertainment, hospitality, feed into each other. More residents downtown means more demand for shops, restaurants and services, which creates a virtuous cycle of economic growth. More visitors staying and moving around downtown means more dollars spent at local businesses and a safer, livelier city center (as activity tends to deter blight). The Water Square Station redevelopment is a linchpin in this ecosystem: it ensures that people can move around efficiently and enjoyably, tying together the new apartments, the hotel, the convention center, the parks, and the existing downtown attractions. It’s this holistic approach that truly feels like “a gateway to the new Detroit,” as developer Gary Torgow enthusiastically described.
Even the cultural touch is noteworthy. Renaming the station and giving it a facelift isn’t just cosmetic, it demonstrates respect for the community’s sense of place. Rather than keeping the generic “West Riverfront” name, adopting “Water Square” links the transit stop to the identity of the development around it. It helps solidify Water Square as a distinct new neighborhood in locals’ minds, much like Greektown or Corktown. And bringing in a local voice like Lloyd Jackson for the People Mover announcements adds a dash of Detroit pride that only a longtime resident would appreciate. These details show an understanding that city-building is as much about local culture and identity as it is about steel and concrete.
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The Residences Water Square, Facebook
Embracing Detroit’s Future (With a Nod to its Past)
As Detroit’s west riverfront undergoes this dramatic change, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air, and for good reason. The Joe Louis Arena site redevelopment encapsulates the best of Detroit’s ongoing revival: honoring the past (the legacy of “The Joe” and what it meant to the city) while boldly innovating for the future (a transit-friendly, walkable, inclusive downtown). Lifelong Detroiters, who remember the excitement of game nights at Joe Louis Arena or the quiet days when that area sat mostly vacant, can take heart that this iconic site is coming alive again in a way that benefits everyone. And newcomers or visitors will find a downtown Detroit that’s easier to navigate and full of fresh things to do.
There’s also a strong spirit of partnership fueling this project. The City of Detroit, private developers like Sterling Group, and community organizations such as the Riverfront Conservancy are all working in concert. That collaborative approach is yielding tangible results, from the new station and road to the park and beyond, that make the city more connected, beautiful, and functional. It shows what can happen when public needs (like transportation and parks) align with private investments (like real estate development): the outcome is a win-win for the community.
So what’s next? In the coming months and years, Detroiters will watch the Water Square area continue to take shape. Construction cranes will eventually come down, replaced by new residents moving into apartments and guests checking in at the hotel. The People Mover’s Water Square Station will go from construction zone to a shiny new transit pavilion welcoming riders. And that once hard-to-reach slice of riverfront will become a bustling corridor of activity, from Second Avenue all the way to the water’s edge.
Now is the perfect time to get reacquainted with this part of the city. Hop on the People Mover and ride over to the renamed Water Square Station to see the progress for yourself. Take a stroll along the riverfront and imagine the changes to come, perhaps even plan a family outing to the Ralph Wilson park when it opens, or consider attending the next big event at Huntington Place knowing a world-class hotel is on the horizon. Detroit’s comeback is often talked about in terms of big downtown developments, but it’s improvements like these, transit, sidewalks, parks, and places to live, that truly enrich the daily life of the community.
Hungry after your walk? Check Dining with a View: The Best Waterfront Restaurants in Metro Detroit for top spots
In the end, the transformation of the Joe Louis Arena site is more than just another real estate project; it’s a statement about Detroit’s future. It’s about making the city more connected for locals, more attractive for visitors, and more prosperous for everyone. And as any proud Michigander would tell you, seeing this kind of progress happen on home turf feels especially rewarding. If you’re curious about becoming a part of Detroit’s revitalization, be it finding a home near the action or investing in the city’s growth, don’t hesitate to reach out for some friendly local advice. After all, there’s nothing quite like getting insights from someone who truly knows the neighborhood. In the spirit of Detroit’s resurgence, Water Square is an open invitation: come experience the new energy on the riverfront and be a part of the next chapter of the Motor City’s story.
Ready to explore Detroit’s transforming riverfront? Plan a day to ride the People Mover to Water Square Station and wander the Riverwalk, or connect with a trusted Metro Detroit real estate expert to learn how you can take advantage of the opportunities in this booming area. Detroit’s renaissance is happening now, don’t miss your chance to be a part of it!
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