Novi has 16 commercial and residential projects actively under construction and 28 more working through city approvals, according to the city's official development tracker as of July 25, 2026.
The biggest projects reshaping the city's retail landscape include Dick's Sporting Goods House of Sport at Twelve Oaks Mall, a Raising Cane's on Novi Road, and the $55 million Sakura Novi mixed-use complex on Grand River Avenue.
Twelve Oaks Mall fills the Sears void
The former Sears store at Twelve Oaks Mall, which closed in 2019, is being carved into space for three new tenants: Dick's House of Sport, Primark, and Round1 Bowling & Arcade. Dick's submitted its plans in December 2024 and is building out the lower level with a climbing wall, golf simulator bays, and an outdoor track and field area on a parcel totaling about 17.79 acres east of Novi Road.
Twelve Oaks Mall General Manager Scott Lofton told the Oakland Press in November 2025 that the mall has about 175 of its roughly 180 stores occupied. The Novi Zoning Board of Appeals approved sign variances for the Dick's location on January 13, 2026, allowing a 199-square-foot sign visible from Novi Road, more than triple the 65-square-foot maximum.
Sakura Novi takes shape
Sakura Novi, marketed by developer Scott Aikens as Michigan's first Asian-themed mixed-use development, had more than 100 of its 176 apartments completed as of April 2026, according to Axios Detroit reporting. Leasing began in February 2026. Aikens partnered with Robertson Brothers Homes on the residential portion and worked with the Japanese consulate-general on cultural programming.
Tenants already open include Paris Baguette, BookOff, Klawsome! arcade, and Chubby Cattle Wagyu Shabu House. Upcoming additions include Teso Life, a Japanese department store, and The Dancing Pine Korean Steakhouse.
"We've seen a lot of these internationally themed retail projects coming up on the East Coast and West Coast and now in Texas and Atlanta," Aikens told Axios Detroit in April 2026.
Novi City Manager Victor Cardenas said the $55 million private investment helps attract and retain global talent, particularly expatriate professionals and their families, by offering culturally familiar amenities and housing in one location.
What's in the pipeline
Among the 28 projects awaiting approvals, several large residential developments stand out. Society Hill, between 12 Mile and 12½ Mile roads on Novi Road, received City Council preliminary site plan approval on August 25, 2025, for 463 units in 21 buildings with two pools, a soccer field, and two miles of walking trails.
The Grove, at 12 Mile and Meadowbrook roads, won City Council Planned Rezoning Overlay approval on March 23, 2026, for 232 townhome units on nearly 62 acres. Two new fire stations on 13 Mile Road east of Novi Road were submitted in May 2026 and await Planning Commission review.
More construction along Novi Road
Raising Cane's is going up at 26245 Novi Road in the former Wendy's location. The chicken-tender chain submitted plans in May 2025, and the Zoning Board of Appeals approved sign variances on April 14, 2026.
Other active construction includes North Eight restaurant at Novi Road and Eight Mile Road (in the former Border Cantina space), Community Financial Credit Union on Grand River Avenue, a Cadillac of Novi dealership expansion at Grand River and Meadowbrook Road, and El Car Wash Novi II on the east side of Novi Road.
