Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures announced today that SHoP Architects of New York City will lead the design process for the J.L. Hudson site in downtown Detroit, with Detroit's Hamilton Anderson Associates as their local partner.

"These two firms, known as premier urban catalysts, were chosen for their innovation and creativity, as well as their track record of committing to community engagement.  We believe SHoP and Hamilton Anderson will join a long list of distinguished architects including Yamasaki, Burnham and Kahn who have created landmark buildings in Detroit that stand the test of time," Jeff Cohen, Founder, Rock Companies, LLC, said in a statement.

"From its six-dimensional Building Information Modeling (BIM), to a live construction mobile and web application, SHoP's well-rounded, entrepreneurial approach is a perfect fit for our culture and for Detroit."

The final design is likely to include residential, retail and office space.

SHoP served as the architect on dozens of world-renowned projects,  such as the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, N.Y., where the world's tallest modular housing towers -- also designed by SHoP -- are currently under construction.

The modules are being fabricated in a nearby factory setting with the Brooklyn Navy Yard and point to a promising new frontier

for urban manufacturing. Hamilton Anderson's notable Detroit area projects include the Tech One Building at the TechTown Research and Technology Park, Wayne State University Welcome Center and the award-winning North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The selection of SHoP comes on the heels of a global architectural "ideas competition" for architects, designers, planners, artists and the public hosted by Rock Ventures in March 2013. (Read Deadline Detroit coverage.) This competition was designed to reengage the community with the Hudson's site and attract and exhibit ideas for the potential future use of this key location. The competition attracted more than 200 entries from across the globe.

Originally an eight-story building constructed in 1891, Hudson's Department Store was an iconic fixture in downtown Detroit and a shopping destination for millions of Michiganders for nearly a century. With frequent additions, it grew to 25 stories and 2.2 million square feet before closing in 1983. The building was imploded in 1998.

"The Hudson's block is historic and full of symbolism for Detroiters everywhere; it is the emotional and physical heart of downtown," said Kent H. Anderson, principal, Hamilton Anderson Associates. 

"Designing a signature architectural project from the ground up in downtown Detroit -- or any great city -- is an opportunity of a lifetime, and we are committed to getting it right," said Dan Gilbert, Chairman and Founder of Rock Ventures.

"We look forward to working with our local and state partners to help build a lasting contribution to our city.

Images: SHoP designs -- Pier 17, New York, top; Barclay's Center, below.

Previously in Deadline Detroit: Redeveloping the Hudson's Site: See The Winners in Quicken Design Contest