Construction will begin immediately, which is scheduled to take two years to complete, said Keith Bradford, recently-hired senior vice president of Olympia Development.

"We've already been speaking to several retail tenants who are highly interested in being part of this and being right here on Woodward," he said. "No doubt the more density that comes into the district creates more and more energy and a level of excitement that people are wanting to be a part of."

Responding to a question about criticism of Ilitch over lack of progress on The District Detroit projects, Bradford said, "Maybe his heart got a little ahead of his head."

Ilitch told reporters he was aware of negative coverage on The District Detroit but was focused on future high quality development.

"We're very proud of the work that we've done and passionate about and committed to future progress," Ilitch said at the event.

DMC would occupy about 50,000 square feet of the new building. It said the sports institute will be the first of its kind in Detroit and include a three-point basketball court, a 40-yard track and a golf simulator, in addition to a mobile MRI and rehab pool. Separately, the Pistons are teaming with Henry Ford Health System to open a $65 million, 175,000-square-foot sports medicine facility/team headquarters in New Center.

Warner Norcross + Judd signed on to occupy the full 30,000-square-foot third floor of the new building — its first location in the city of Detroit. About 55 of the firm's attorneys and staff are expected to be based there.

Construction was to have begun earlier this year with completion in 2020, Crain's reported last year. Lease terms were not disclosed.

Christman-Brinker is providing construction management for 2715 Woodward Ave., while architect Harley Ellis Devereaux is overseeing the building's design.

Work on the facility begins as the Ilitch organization works through delays on its new, pizza-shaped windows headquarters next to the Fox and criticism on underdelivering in The District Detroit. Ilitch sat down with Crain's on Wednesday to acknowledge progress delays on the 50-block development.