Big 3’s resurgence helps Detroit hotel industry pick up speed

[softailrider]

There's a big one, just sitting there, about a 3 wood from the Cobo entrance. Granted, it's been a dump for a couple of decades even before it closed, but, what a great location.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

There's a big one, just sitting there, about a 3 wood from the Cobo entrance. Granted, it's been a dump for a couple of decades even before it closed, but, what a great location.

I'd be surprised with the renovation of Cobo & uptick of room occupancy and rates if someone didn't scoop up the Pontch. That having been said, it needs more than a little renovation. The building screams 1975. But the location is terrific, as, I imagine, is the view. I think someone willing to put a lot of money into it could make it into a lucrative property. It needs renovation on a level to be competitive with the Book Cadillac, MGM Grand, and Marriott RenCen. Mid-level renovation will make it competitive with Holiday Inn and HIlton Garden Inn. I don't think that would be successful in the long run. So, I hope an investor can see the value of putting money into it.

Of course, it could conceivably also be a nice condo tower. Again, that would take a lot of money.

PS Whatever becomes of it, I hope they use the name Pontchartrain.

[MSUguy]

I'd be surprised with the renovation of Cobo & uptick of room occupancy and rates if someone didn't scoop up the Pontch. That having been said, it needs more than a little renovation. The building screams 1975. But the location is terrific, as, I imagine, is the view. I think someone willing to put a lot of money into it could make it into a lucrative property. It needs renovation on a level to be competitive with the Book Cadillac, MGM Grand, and Marriott RenCen. Mid-level renovation will make it competitive with Holiday Inn and HIlton Garden Inn. I don't think that would be successful in the long run. So, I hope an investor can see the value of putting money into it.

Of course, it could conceivably also be a nice condo tower. Again, that would take a lot of money.

PS Whatever becomes of it, I hope they use the name Pontchartrain.

This issues regarding the Pontch were mentioned in the Cobo Center thread. The building had an extensive renovation around when it was turned into Sheraton so the interior is modern not 1975ish.

The Pontch was extensively renovated about three years ago. Now, most of the
renovations were cosmetic [[new carpet, paint, furniture, bathrooms,
fixtures all to match the Sheraton brand) but they did install a nice fitness
center and indoor pool on the first floor right off the motor lobby. They
closed off floor three that contained the old fitness center and access to the
old outdoor pool. From what I remember, the building needs an HVAC and plumping
overhaul as well as new elevators but as long as the building has been secured
since closing, the rooms should be ready to go. The hotel still looks
completely furnished when looking from the outside. The rooms are small but due
to the fact that they were just completely re-done and barely used it would be a
waist to start with reconstruction and enlarging them

.

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...387#post269387

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

I know the Pontch was renovated, but I stick by my "1975" designation for 2 reasons [[admittedly I have never been the building). First, the exterior is neither bold and modern nor classically elegant. It LOOKS dated without charm, a la architecture of the 1970s. Second, new carpetting and furniture not withstanding, modern hotel rooms require things beyond that. They tend to be bigger, have more luxurious restrooms, office/ work stations in the room,etc. Also more real suites in the building as compared to a more basic hotel. Those changes are not cosmetic; I would suspect the hotel would need to have substantially reconfigured rooms to be a modern, first class hotel. I have never heard about that kind of renovation occurring, even if the furnishings were nice and contemporary. I have stayed at all 3 casino hotels, and been in a Book Cadillac suite. I would doubt strongly that the Pontch could readily compete with them. I think it can, but it will take a great deal of investment.

[cmubryan]

I know the Pontch was renovated, but I stick by my "1975" designation for 2 reasons [[admittedly I have never been the building). First, the exterior is neither bold and modern nor classically elegant. It LOOKS dated without charm, a la architecture of the 1970s. Second, new carpetting and furniture not withstanding, modern hotel rooms require things beyond that. They tend to be bigger, have more luxurious restrooms, office/ work stations in the room,etc. Also more real suites in the building as compared to a more basic hotel. Those changes are not cosmetic; I would suspect the hotel would need to have substantially reconfigured rooms to be a modern, first class hotel. I have never heard about that kind of renovation occurring, even if the furnishings were nice and contemporary. I have stayed at all 3 casino hotels, and been in a Book Cadillac suite. I would doubt strongly that the Pontch could readily compete with them. I think it can, but it will take a great deal of investment.

They completely re-did each guest room, guest bathroom and public corridor as well. I would think the rooms in their current form could still compete with the HI Express down the street. Speaking from experience, the room sizes are truly not overwhelmingly tiny. If Starwood was willing to let Shubh franchise their quality Sheraton name back in 2008 for the hotel, I would think that it could be competitive if given it's needed mechanical upgrades and a better maangement team with a strong owner that has some cash.

[DetroitPlanner]

I know the Pontch was renovated, but I stick by my "1975" designation for 2 reasons [[admittedly I have never been the building). First, the exterior is neither bold and modern nor classically elegant. It LOOKS dated without charm, a la architecture of the 1970s. Second, new carpetting and furniture not withstanding, modern hotel rooms require things beyond that. They tend to be bigger, have more luxurious restrooms, office/ work stations in the room,etc. Also more real suites in the building as compared to a more basic hotel. Those changes are not cosmetic; I would suspect the hotel would need to have substantially reconfigured rooms to be a modern, first class hotel. I have never heard about that kind of renovation occurring, even if the furnishings were nice and contemporary. I have stayed at all 3 casino hotels, and been in a Book Cadillac suite. I would doubt strongly that the Pontch could readily compete with them. I think it can, but it will take a great deal of investment.

If you've never been in the building how can you criticize it? You make it sound like it was an SRO and that was never the case.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

If you've never been in the building how can you criticize it? You make it sound like it was an SRO and that was never the case.

I am not criticizing the Pontch, it's past owners, or anything of the sort. And I did preface my original statement with, as you noted, that I have never been in there. I truly hope someone buys it, gives it the work it needs, and it is a raging success. I just think we shouldn't kid ourselves in thinking an owner can come in, throw around a little paint, and it will play with the big boys. The exepnse-accounting business types who are the prime audience for a reopened Pontchartrain Hotel at the Cobo Center are going to demand quality and amenities that it doesn't currently have, assuming the time period in which the hotel was opened, and the seemingly cosmetic- real, to be sure, but cosmetic- renovations it has received [[as I've read about here on Detroit Yes). Hey, if it's a gem, I'd be surprised and delighted. I just know that there are probably 10+ hotels where the business travellers will stay first. The last thing we need to have is have it be an open-then-closed-then-open-the changed affiliation-then closed hotel again. It will be a waste of money and make people avoid investment there at all costs. It needs to be reconsidered and highly renovated to be a competitive and profitable location. If that weren't true, why would it be closed right now?

[MSUguy]

I am not criticizing the Pontch, it's past owners, or anything of the sort. And I did preface my original statement with, as you noted, that I have never been in there. I truly hope someone buys it, gives it the work it needs, and it is a raging success. I just think we shouldn't kid ourselves in thinking an owner can come in, throw around a little paint, and it will play with the big boys. The exepnse-accounting business types who are the prime audience for a reopened Pontchartrain Hotel at the Cobo Center are going to demand quality and amenities that it doesn't currently have, assuming the time period in which the hotel was opened, and the seemingly cosmetic- real, to be sure, but cosmetic- renovations it has received [[as I've read about here on Detroit Yes). Hey, if it's a gem, I'd be surprised and delighted. I just know that there are probably 10+ hotels where the business travellers will stay first. The last thing we need to have is have it be an open-then-closed-then-open-the changed affiliation-then closed hotel again. It will be a waste of money and make people avoid investment there at all costs. It needs to be reconsidered and highly renovated to be a competitive and profitable location. If that weren't true, why would it be closed right now?

Like was said room size is fine at least for a mid level hotel the biggest issues with the Pontch are it's mechanical issues. It's closure is primary due to that it's owner Shubh Hotels went bankrupt, they owned a number of hotels across the country, including the Pittsburgh Hilton that was left in limbo as it was in middle of a renovation when the company went under. Really if had my way it would be demoed and replaced with a hotel that is more street friendly. The hotel I really want to see redone is the Leland it's the only hotel downtown that was never closed and still has it's original interior features.