DETROIT –  The redevelopment of the historic Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Midtown Detroit has reached a major milestone, with Invest Detroit officially moving in as the anchor tenant of the newly rebranded Jefferson Hub. The 115,000-square-foot innovation and office space is scheduled for full opening in fall of 2025 and is now leasing space to nonprofits, startups and mission-driven companies across the region.

Located on Selden Street near the John C. Lodge Freeway, the Jefferson Hub aims to become a destination for entrepreneurship, collaboration and cultural programming. The project is led by Invest Detroit Foundation in partnership with Midtown Detroit Inc., who purchased the building in 2018.

“Moving our team into the Jefferson Hub is more than just occupying a new space—it’s a commitment to the neighborhood and to creating an ecosystem where Detroit entrepreneurs can thrive,” said Dave Blaskiewicz, CEO of Invest Detroit. “This building is built for collaboration and inclusion.”

Originally constructed in 1922, the former school has been fully renovated while maintaining many of its original design features, including the gym’s wood floors, a vaulted cafetorium ceiling and a wood-paneled library. The building now includes flexible office suites, coworking space operated by Bamboo Detroit and a wide range of shared amenities designed to foster collaboration

Features of the Jefferson Hub include:

  • 9 conference rooms and 11 huddle rooms
  • 1 common kitchen with beverage bars
  • Reception area and a 85-seat event center
  • Dedicated training classrooms and three-season outdoor courtyard
  • On-site parking and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure
  • High-speed fiber optic connectivity
  • Below-market lease rates for 17,000 SF of mission-aligned organizations

“The Jefferson Hub is a shining example of how Detroit is repurposing historic buildings to create new opportunity,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “This project is helping to drive inclusive growth by supporting entrepreneurs, nonprofits and creatives—especially those from underserved communities.”

The Jefferson Hub will also be home to confirmed tenant VVK PR + Creative, with Bamboo operating the coworking space, building programming and shared office management.

“We’re eager to see a diverse range of tenants—from up-and-coming entrepreneurs and nonprofits to established for-profit businesses—bring new energy to the building,” said Marcia Ventura, senior vice president of lending at Invest Detroit. “This mix creates opportunities for informal mentorship and knowledge sharing. When people connect in shared spaces, they learn from one another and that helps build a strong sense of community.”

These organizations will span media, public policy, creative services and community development—aligning with the Hub’s broader mission of cross-sector collaboration and community-building.

The redevelopment also improves connectivity and street life along the Selden Corridor. Former Frank Street has been converted into landscaped parking and public space, while outdoor gathering areas along Selden and Frank Streets will be programmed with art installations, concerts, and community events designed to draw participation from across Detroit and Wayne County.

“The preservation and redevelopment of the Jefferson School is a critical piece of the ongoing work in Midtown.” said Melanie Markowicz, executive director of Midtown Detroit Inc. “This is more than an office building—it’s an economic anchor, a space that will bring innovative people together that also complements the fabric of Midtown and the burgeoning Selden Street corridor community.”

The building’s flexible floorplans and scalable office suites are designed to meet the needs of growing companies, nonprofits, and startups. Leasing is now open for 2025 occupancy, and site tours are available by request.

About the Jefferson Hub
The Jefferson Hub is a commercial and community redevelopment project led by Invest Detroit Foundation and Midtown Detroit Inc., transforming the former Thomas Jefferson Middle School into a modern workspace and cultural destination. The project promotes equitable economic growth through inclusive leasing practices, dynamic programming, and a collaborative business environment in the heart of Midtown.

About Invest Detroit

Invest Detroit is a nonprofit lender, investor, and partner that supports business and real estate projects that will ignite economic growth in Detroit and support inclusive growth of entrepreneurial ventures across the state. Our goal is to help create a thriving city that works for all Detroiters with an improved quality of life–inclusive housing, resourced and walkable neighborhoods, and equal opportunities for jobs and business growth; and scale promising early-stage ventures into thriving companies that help support the state’s economy, provide jobs to local talent, and bolster Michigan’s growing startup community.

Learn more at www.InvestDetroit.com.