Remodeling Coming Soon to Sugar Tree Square

The strip mall Sugar Tree Square just north of Maple Road on Orchard Lake Road will soon receive a facelift as part of a construction project to commence next spring.

According to West Bloomfield resident and architect Leonard Siegal, the construction to improve the building's facade is the first of its kind in the history of the strip mall, which opened in November 1985. The most noticeable change will be in the height of the buildings, which Siegal said, would be elevated eight feet. The current peak of the strip mall will also be elevated eight feet in order to create a "stronger, more dominant presence in the area," Siegal added.

"Although we think it’s a good looking center, it needs some refreshing and updating. The West Bloomfield commercial retail area is very strong and it justifies that kind of improvement," said Siegal, who is also a partner in the strip mall with his wife, Bluma.

The raised height of the facility will be fortified with brick, stone, and hardy plank, said the township's senior planner Sara Roediger at Tuesday's Planning Commission meeting. Roediger added that the improvements would reduce the amount of exterior paneling known as EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) which would increase the durability and aesthetically-pleasing quality of the facility. The rear of the facility will also be re-painted.

The Siegals said that they felt encouraged by facade improvements that were constructed over last summer at the Boardwalk Plaza, south of Maple on Orchard Lake, which they also co-own. Since then, the Boardwalk has welcomed two new shops, P2 and Smashburger, which opens next week.

Management at Sugar Tree said that there are two vacancies; one at 3,000 square feet and another at 1,700 square feet.

Bluma Siegal said that the impact to consumers over the construction period would be minimal and that no closures are expected. Township resident Bruce Welford, an original tenant of Sugar Tree that owns said that he welcomes the change.

"(The Siegals) did it at Boardwalk and it helps keep things up to date, if only visually, for people in the area. It shows that they’re not letting the (shopping) center down," Welford said. "The owners of the property live in the community and I’m sure they understand they want a property that reflects a good image. I admire their ability to do that."