Year Completed: 2023

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Location: Midtown Detroit, MI

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Typology: Hospitality Construction | Historic Adaptive Reuse

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Scope: Transformation of an unfinished basement level within a historic 19th-century mansion into a French-inspired café, coffee shop, and cocktail bar

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Website: Cafe Sous Terre

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Project Team: 

• Architect: Infuz​​​

• Interior Design: Rebecca Priester Design

• Millwork: Virtuoso Design + Build

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Artisan Contracting served as the general contractor for the build-out of Café Sous Terre, a basement-level café and cocktail bar in Detroit. This hospitality project transformed an underground commercial space into a unique destination offering specialty coffee by day and craft cocktails by night.

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The complete tenant build-out included custom café and bar counters, millwork, commercial kitchen and prep areas, tile, flooring, architectural lighting, and full MEP coordination. Working within a below-grade space required careful planning for ventilation, moisture control, lighting, and efficient use of space.

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In collaboration with ownership, designers, and specialty trades, Artisan Contracting delivered a sophisticated and functional environment that seamlessly transitions from daytime café service to evening hospitality operations. The project highlights Artisan’s expertise in hospitality construction, adaptive reuse, and commercial interior renovations throughout Metro Detroit.

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Media:

• Featured in Eater Detroit for the opening of Midtown Detroit's basement café and cocktail bar, highlighting its distinctive underground design and day-to-night hospitality concept.

• Recognized by Eater Detroit Awards for its acclaimed cocktail program, with bartender Joel Jones named Best Bartender in 2023.

• Featured by ClickOnDetroit as one of Metro Detroit's top coffee destinations in the Vote 4 The Best awards.