• Approximately 30 acres of public realm space – including parks and infrastructure
• 2,359 multi-family residential units
• 20,000 square foot community center
• Up to 100 new hotel rooms (61,000 square feet)
• 400 units of senior independent living
• 350 units of active adult living (age 55+)
• 161,994 square feet of new retail
• 560,746 square feet of anchor tenant retail

This reimagined space will feature residences, parks, a hotel, office spaces, retail outlets, dining establishments and more, catering to a diverse array of community needs. Complementing these amenities, approximately 30 acres will be dedicated to public spaces, including parks, gathering spaces trails and pathways, creating spaces for community connection and collaboration.

This is truly a transformational project that will breathe new life into the former Lakesides Mall site and become an economic driver for the City of Sterling Heights, Macomb County, and the surrounding region.

Lakeside City Center will be organized into five distinct districts – four mixed-use districts and a town center connecting the residential districts.

• The Crossroads: A residential neighborhood that supports a blend of urban and suburban lifestyles
• The Urban Green: A residential neighborhood that facilitates dynamic indoor and outdoor urban lifestyles
• The Suburban Retreat: A serene residential neighborhood that connects wellness to suburban life
• The Senior Social: A residential neighborhood promoting active senior lifestyles
• The Lakeside Heart: A vibrant town center, built on a foundation of culture, flexibility and community growth

Lakeside City Center is projected to positively impact the region by $1 billion, making a major contribution toward revitalization of the former Lakeside Mall site.

Exciting progress is underway on the highly anticipated Lakeside City Center project, a transformative development several years in the making. Since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Sterling Heights and Out of the Box Ventures was signed in November 2022, plans for Lakeside City Center have gained momentum Through collaborative efforts and strategic acquisitions, the project has now secured critical Planning Commission approval, paving the way for the next chapter.

As we move into 2025, development activities will accelerate, bringing the Lakeside City Center vision closer to reality. The project is on track for groundbreaking in Fall 2025.  The scale of the project means it will take several years to fully development complete over the next 8-10 years.

The current master plan framework includes predominantly one- and two-story buildings in The Lakeside Heart district, with increasing heights moving outward from the Lakeside City Center core.

The tallest buildings are planned for The Senior Social neighborhood at the outer perimeter of the development, which is currently scoped to include buildings up to six stories. At this time, there are no buildings planned above a six-story elevation. Zoning height allowances accommodate for up to 50 stories in The Crossroads and The Urban Green Districts; however, there are no current plans to build anywhere near that height.

Building heights step down from north to south to respect surrounding densities.

Lakeside City Center will connect to the City of Sterling Heights’ incredible trail system including the Iron Belle Trail, Freedom Trail and Dodge Park Trail as well as the newly announced ITC Trail. This network of pathways converging in Sterling Heights connects Belle Isle, Lake St. Clair and Iron Wood to this transformative development.

Great Streets
A network of “great streets” will crisscross Lakeside City Center – each with its own unique character and adaptability to support local businesses and community events. These tech-ready streets will seamlessly blend work and play, encouraging residents from nearby homes to actively engage with the core of the development – The Lakeside Heart.

The focus is to have convenient lifestyle destinations and community greenspaces within easy walking distance to each residence, providing appropriate venues for inter-generational engagement and easy access to The Lakeside Heart.

Lakeside Legacy Loop
Lakeside City Center will feature the Lakeside Legacy Loop – a one and a half mile long encircling park providing an array of experiences that promote active lifestyles, wellness and enhanced mobility. The park aims to provide community greenspaces within easy walking distance to any resident, no matter where they are located.

This connected loop will be known as the Lakeside Legacy Loop – so named as a result of a community-wide contest. The naming recommendation was made by City of Sterling Heights resident Ronnie McCabe.

During Construction
In advance of construction beginning, contractors will create a construction sequencing plan, a MOT plan (maintenance of traffic), and a materials staging plan to mitigate slow downs and maintain control of the site, managing access in and out and maximizing safety.  

At the Completed Site
Lakeside City Center will feature wide sidewalks and narrow streets, as well as shaded trees and benches designed to facilitate pedestrian traffic. There is parking located throughout the Lakeside City Center to encourage parking once and walking to multiple destinations.

The mixed-use master plan projects less traffic for this site than when it was Lakeside Mall.

During Construction
This project will follow the building department’s allowed hours of operation and minimizing noise will be a priority. In addition, contractors will periodically be watering the site to contain dust as much as possible.

At the Completed Site
The commercial core of the project – The Lakeside Heart District – which will be the most open and active area of Lakeside City Center – is located in the middle of the development to reduce noise. The number of commercial spaces decreases as you move toward the perimeter of the project to minimize noise across the development.