You have questions, we have answers. Learn more about The Columbia multifamily housing development, located at Coolidge Highway and Columbia Road in Berkley, Michigan.
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 here.
Last Updated: October 14, 2025
Like many communities nationwide, there is an incredibly high demand for high-quality housing in Berkley. At present, 73% of existing land use is currently single-family homes, while only 1% of existing land use percentages is multifamily. Additionally, of Berkley’s 1,656 total acres, only 6.6 acres are vacant or available for development. The duplexes currently owned by the developer and planned for redevelopment are 80 years old and do not represent the best use of this property. The Columbia remedies that. The City of Berkley’s Master Plan, adopted in mid-2021, clearly addresses the need for multifamily housing to help support the city’s vision for success. The Columbia will bring more housing options to the Gateway District, positively impacting retail in the area and supporting downtown’s walkable family-friendly atmosphere. Our mission to create new housing options is supported by local businesses and the Downtown Development Authority.
Your dedicated project team behind The Columbia shares deep personal connections with the Berkley community, exemplifying our strong commitment to the project, the city and the community.
WJR Ventures – Wudyka Family: Wayne M. Wudyka is a nationally recognized entrepreneur and innovator who has built successful enterprises across drycleaning, insurance restoration, franchising and real estate development.
Ferlito Group: Ferlito Group is a full-service real estate and construction company that has been family-owned and operated for 45 years. Ferlito Group owns and builds commercial, multi-family and residential developments in Southeast Michigan and Florida.
Krieger Klatt Architects: Krieger Klatt Architects is a full-service architecture and design firm located in Royal Oak. The firm specializes in custom residential and commercial architectural design. Krieger Klatt Architects provides design services for custom new homes, custom renovations and commercial tenant build-outs.
Giffels Webster: Giffels Webster is a Michigan-based firm of civil engineers, landscape architects, planners, GIS specialists and surveyors dedicated to improving communities. Since 1952, the firm has partnered with public, private and institutional clients to address community planning, infrastructure and land development needs.
Plante Moran: Founded in 1924, Plante Moran is among the largest audit, tax, consulting and wealth management firms in the nation.
The Columbia will offer both single bedroom and studio apartments. The project will also feature rental rates aligned with today’s market value, intended to attract a mix of tenants, including single people and young professionals who work for the nearby Corewell Health (an audience in need of housing options). There is a high demand for those who want to stay in the area, but do not own a home, positioning The Columbia as a great solution. The project will also offer options for residents in the area who wish to downsize, but maintain residence in the Berkley area.
There will be a proposed 51 apartment units available and offer modern, attainable housing in Berkley.
As members of the community ourselves, we understand the importance of communication with our neighbors. The development team owns a block and a half on Coolidge, spanning from Cambridge to a half-block past Columbia, where three duplexes currently sit, totaling six units. These existing duplexes, owned by the developer of The Columbia, are more than 80 years old and primarily rentals. Our due diligence for this development included a full exploration of options and means to improve and elevate our vision for the project, and as such, we surveyed existing residents and the immediate surrounding neighbors. Through this process, we learned that many of our neighbors welcome the project and have openly provided feedback, with mostly favorable support from the immediate adjacent neighbors to the east.
There will be two dumpsters, one enclosed in each building, with two chutes for recycling and trash.
The Columbia will positively impact the City of Berkley by expanding housing options beyond single-family homes, supporting workforce attraction and retention, promoting walkable and sustainable development, and signaling that Berkley is pro-growth and pro-business with the first new construction residential development since 2020.
The Department of Public Services believes this development will improve stormwater in the area. We will be installing a modern stormwater retention system that will benefit not just the project, but also nearby residents. The Department of Public Works requested some lining and replacement of the water main and sewer, which would also be an improvement. Based on the response from the city, there is enough capacity in both the sewer and water to accommodate this project. Additionally, a cutting-edge surveillance system facing the property is aimed at enhancing safety in the area and deterring criminal activity.
Ferlito Group
Michael Ferlito is the CEO of Ferlito Group. Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Michael has led real estate development projects across Southeast Michigan and Florida. He is known for his multi-family development work in Michigan. Michael is deeply committed to developing and providing middle-income housing units all around Michigan.
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.
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.
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.
WJR 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. WJR 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.