Louis Aguilar

The Detroit News

The Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson near Belle Isle has been purchased and its final day will be Easter Sunday, April 16.

The sale is part of larger development plan for the Islandview neighborhood, according to the buyer. The buyer is a development group called The Platform.

Beyond buying the Big Boy site, the group says it agreed to buy five parcels from the Detroit Land Bank Authority on East Grand between East Jefferson and Congress. That includes a former nursing home at 130 E. Grand designed by architect Louis Kamper. The building will be renovated along with three other historic properties. New construction also is planned, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the development group.

The Big Boy site could become a farmers market and a food truck court, the developers said. Affordable housing is included in the plans.

“The Islandview neighborhood is poised for great things. The Platform is committed to equitable development and ensuring that all Detroiters are included in the city’s future,” said Peter Cummings, co-principal of the group.

The Platform’s most significant investments have been in the New Center area. The Platform is restoring the Fisher Building and converting part of the Albert Kahn Building into residential, as well as renovating a parking deck on Baltimore and Third. Another project, Third and Grand, is a 231-unit mixed-use development that’s the first new major development in New Center in more than 30 years. That building is slated to open next year.

All Big Boy workers will receive a bonus as well as job placement at other establishments.

laguilar@detroitnews.com