The Willits Birmingham, MI

The Willits is an upscale condominium building with street-level shops and restaurants located in downtown Birmingham, a suburb of Detroit. The building was constructed in 2001, replacing a surface parking lot. Its distinctive curved shape is derived from the street on which it is located; in turn, the curve of the street follows the path of a nearby river. The Willits has attracted empty nesters, retirees, and young entrepreneurs. One owner chose to live there because he wanted to walk more, and even changed his doctor and dry cleaner so he could walk everywhere; another resident traded a ranch house on a sprawling lot for the maintenance-free lifestyle afforded by a downtown building with a 24-hour concierge.