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The Columbia is a project conceived and created to help move the City of Berkley forward into an exciting future. The proposed 57-unit multifamily property is both an aesthetic triumph and an inspired civic solution that elevates an evolving downtown district. In a thriving city with a strong demand for high-quality multifamily housing, The Columbia is both a welcomed new addition and a project ideally aligned with Berkley’s recently adopted Master Plan and vision of a dynamic downtown community.
Located in the city’s Gateway District on Coolidge Road, The Columbia delivers a range of residential floor plans. One-bedroom, studio, and loft apartment layouts in units from 600 to 1,300 square feet are a great fit for people who currently live in the Berkley, Oak Park and Huntington Woods area who are transitioning from homeownership to simplified living. A combination of creative design concepts and thoughtful development decisions prioritize and reflect a design brought to life with nuanced consideration of context and community. The result is that The Columbia is a project that both stands out and fits in.
PEOPLE-FIRST DESIGN
First floor covered resident and guest parking minimizes the project’s footprint. Enhanced landscaping surrounding the property enhances its aesthetic appeal, while inviting pedestrian benches and park areas encourage visitors to linger and enjoy the surroundings. A reconfigured streetscape eliminates three curb cuts on Coolidge, alleviating traffic congestion and creating more street parking. A significant landscaping feature creates a visual buffer around the property and a high-quality structural masonry wall brings privacy to neighboring homes immediately east of the property. The Columbia replaces three 80-year-old duplexes with high quality, modern living.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT
Strategic infrastructure improvements address longstanding stormwater management and water runoff in the district. The project also replaces and enhances water main and sewer pipes, thereby improving the utility infrastructure in the vicinity.
The brainchild of a development team with deep and enduring connections to the City of Berkley, Huntington Woods and Oak Park, and demonstrated experience in supporting smart development and intelligent growth in and around the region, The Columbia represents the best of what this thriving community has to offer. The Columbia will bring an influx of high-quality multifamily housing to the Downtown District, positively impacting retail in the area and supporting downtown’s walkable family-friendly vision. Against that backdrop, it comes as no surprise that the project has garnered vocal and enthusiastic support from business and civic leaders, as well as local residents.
The dedicated project team behind The Columbia shares deep personal connections with the Berkley community, exemplifying their strong commitment to the project, the city and the community.
Community engagement is at the heart of our project. If you have any questions about how The Columbia is shaping a better future for Berkley, Michigan, please feel free to reach out using the form below.
WJ VENTURES
Wayne is a Birmingham resident and has been in business in Berkley, Huntington Woods, and Oak Park for more than 30 years. He is an avid supporter and investor of the community, in the past, present, and future. WJ Ventures and Wayne own properties across Cambridge and Columbia and across the street, plus he has co-developed various single-family homes and other real estate in Berkley. He is the CEO and co-founder of Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network (CRDN), the country’s leading expert in textile and full contents restoration, headquartered in Berkley. He is also the CEO and co-owner of Huntington Cleaners and Camelot Cleaners, located near The Columbia development, and Wesch Cleaners in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.
His past involvement in the community includes serving as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. He and his businesses have also participated in and funded various city programs and events, such as BOO!kley, the Berkley Street Art Fest, the K-9 Program and CruiseFest. Wayne and Company have been a Berkley Dad’s Club sponsor for almost 25 years, and Huntington Cleaners routinely donates services for the high school band and football uniforms. All of which is to say that he and his companies have a vested interest in the success of Berkley as a community.
DESIGNHAUS ARCHITECTS
Auburn Hills-based Designhaus Architecture is an expert in multifamily design and architecture with a portfolio spanning properties throughout the United States. Locally, they are known for designing Brown Iron Brewhouse in Royal Oak, The Jordan apartments in Auburn Hills, and several retail updates alongside Oak Park’s 11 Mile corridor.
Bringing a unique perspective to The Columbia project, Designhaus Architects emphasizes brand development by providing consistency from interior design and graphics to building and site design. Specializing in private sectors such as multifamily, professional office, retail, and more, their experience and reach begins locally but extends globally. The Designhaus approach is rooted in providing world-class designs, making them an invaluable asset to The Columbia real estate project in Berkley.
GIFFELS WEBSTER
The Columbia project is also supported by the expertise of a Detroit-based firm encompassing civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, and GIS specialists. Giffels Webster is one of Michigan’s most prominent civil engineering firms, and the company is heavily involved in Detroit’s comeback, as well as iconic public and private spaces all around metro Detroit, such as the Detroit Pistons Performance Center, Campus Martius, Police Athletic League, City of Clawson Downtown Plan, and more. Their collaborative approach focuses on enhancing the quality of life in communities. Giffels Webster works closely with local government bodies and community development groups to create comprehensive transportation and infrastructure plans, ensuring community enjoyment while prioritizing safety and functionality of projects overall.
WJ VENTURES
The Developer, Wayne Wudyka of WJ Ventures, not only lives in Berkley with his family, but has also invested in the city for decades. He is the CEO of CRDN (Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network) on Coolidge, and owner of Huntington Cleaners on the corner of Coolidge and 11 Mile. He has a history of active involvement in the community, having served in various capacities, such as the president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. His contributions include funding multiple city events, supporting local programs like the Berkley K-9 Program, supporting the parks and schools, and sponsoring initiatives like Berkley CruiseFest. In addition to owning properties in Berkley, numerous properties around Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Birmingham and Lansing.
