DOWNTOWN DETROIT – Let’s face it. A trip to a parking garage isn’t on the list of must-visit places in one’s lifetime. But, hear us out.
It’s been referred to as the Z Lot, the Z Deck and the Z Park. Whatever you want to call it, zee 10-story parking and retail garage is, indeed, shaped like a ‘Z.’
Nadir Ali, who runs the Instagram account @3andathird, captures an aerial shot in a recent post:
Not exactly your standard Helvetica font, but the shape does explain why you can forget where you parked. The structure zigzags from the corner of Broadway and East Grand River to the corner of Library and Gratiot.
However, the real draw (pun intended) of the structure is the art featured on every level of the garage.
Upon visiting, chances are you’ll spot a music video production or fashion shoot in front of one of the murals. According to Library Street Collective, an art gallery in Detroit that collaborated with billionaire Dan Gilbert’s Rock Ventures on the project, walls feature the work of 27 mural artists from across the globe.
Head up to the top deck and get a bird’s eye view of the city. The scene looking out onto Woodward is unobstructed from any buildings… at least for now. Gilbert’s commercial real estate firm, Bedrock, is planning a mixed-use development on the old Hudson’s site. The project includes 1 million square feet of retail, office, residentials and public space. An observation deck is planned for the 800-foot residential tower, which would be Detroit’s tallest building.
Show us some of your Z Lot photos on Instagram. Tag us at @existdetroit or use the hashtag #existdetroit.