a vision beyond parking
The Z Deck + The Belt
More than a place to park, the Z and the adjacent Belt alley showcase 27 world-renowned artists through murals and rotating exhibitions. The result? A unique destination that blends retail, art, and parking into an unexpected, premier nightlife destination for the city of Detroit.
vision
Both aspects of this project embrace the potential of the space between. Instead of leaving the Belt as a simple alley, our team transformed it into a thriving hub for art exhibitions, retail, food + beverage, and informal meeting spots. Instead of serving as a standard downtown parking deck, The Z Deck is the exact opposite.
detail
The 10-story Z-shaped, precast structure features a bold geometric “picture frame” design. Glass-enclosed stair and elevator towers at the corners provide wayfinding and safety for users. The deck also features LED lighting inside and out, ticketless/cashless entry, ev charging stations, and badge access for monthly parkers. The ground level offers 33,000 sf of retail and restaurant space.
secret
The murals painted on the walls of the parking garage are inspired by the city of Detroit. 27 Independent international artists were commissioned to paint the murals. The structural needs of the project were folded into the design, many areas of the exterior design supply both form and function. This was done by beveling the concrete spandrels that support the precast double tees.
