Edward Hotel, Former Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Closes Abruptly

[downtownguy]

I am not sure which you are referencing. The downtown moving sidewalks was one of the alternatives considered when developing the downtown circulator. It was dropped in favor of the People Mover. Does that help?

I should have included Stasu's post. I think he understood the PM linking the Dearborn locations you spoke about was the PM from downtown. I assume you were talking about the Fairlane PM. Si?

[DetroitPlanner]

My original response was regarding the Ford Motor people mover linking the buildings and sub campuses around Fairlane. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_ACT
http://mallsofamerica.blogspot.com/2...wn-center.html

Here is one that links the Fairlane People mover with the project that was eventually built downtown. http://books.google.com/books?id=EgE...20ford&f=false

What a throwback! I love the predessecor for the Omni/Horizion a few pages later.

[D_Town]

Deal is off for Dearborn Hyatt Regency

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...xt|FRONTPAGE|s

A deal for Dearborn's Hyatt Regency hotel has fallen through less than a month before the 772-room hotel was set to change hands and undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation.
In a short statement issued Wednesday, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said it had "agreed to terminate the previously announced management agreement" with Royal Realties LLC for the Hyatt.
The hotel chain said Sept. 25 it had signed a long-term management agreement to turn the Hyatt into a Radisson Hotel and promised an immediate "multimillion-dollar renovation" to the property.
Charles Taylor, owner's representative for Royal Realties LLC, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Carlson Rezidor, headquartered in Minneapolis and Brussels, Belgium, is a chain that owns Radisson Blu, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Hotel Missoni and Country Inn and Suites.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz29WWFB6Mr

[Honky Tonk]

Is it now going to be another abandoned building? I can't wait to see "GASM" spray painted on the front.....

[DetroitPlanner]

Is it now going to be another abandoned building? I can't wait to see "GASM" spray painted on the front.....

No, it has an owner, it may have to link up with a value chain though. Maybe Ramada or Motel 6?

[softailrider]

No, it has an owner, it may have to link up with a value chain though. Maybe Ramada or Motel 6?

Maybe the owner of the Temple Hotel would be interested. He could rent out the same room 10 times a day.

[DetroitPlanner]

Great idea! How about Viking West?

[cmubryan]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/D...i/-/index.html

Welcome to the Adoba Dearborn/Detroit. Brand new company out of Colorado that has a whole 177 room hotel! They are a "green" company that plans to turn the hotel into a LEED certified establishment.

I don't think this company knows what they are getting into, running one of Michigan's largest hotels! I wish them the best but wow, not who I was expecting to take over!

[Gistok]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/D...i/-/index.html

Welcome to the Adoba Dearborn/Detroit. Brand new company out of Colorado that has a whole 177 room hotel! They are a "green" company that plans to turn the hotel into a LEED certified establishment.

I don't think this company knows what they are getting into, running one of Michigan's largest hotels! I wish them the best but wow, not who I was expecting to take over!

And by putting a few wind turbines and solar panels on the roof of the hotel... they are going to do what exactly for getting customers to come stay there??

Just what percentage of Americans [[especially business customers) are "green prone"??

[Bham1982]

This hotel probably needs to be put out of its misery and demolished.

There is no demand for a mega-convention 800-room "luxury" hotel in this location. There are already far too many rooms in Metro Detroit and this is not a desirable location for leisure or business travelers.

The folks who need to be close to Ford already have that downgraded ex-Ritz Carlton facility. There's also the Dearborn Inn. That's plenty for the Fairlane area.

[noise]

I was going to be attending a conference there in the very near future. Due to the uncertainty in ownership, the conference was moved at the last minute to Cobo.

Interestingly enough, people from elsewhere in Michigan were resistant to the idea of Cobo or another "Detroit proper" location because they don't want to travel to or stay in the city. Dearborn was apparently more appealing.

[Bham1982]

Interestingly enough, people from elsewhere in Michigan were resistant to the idea of Cobo or another "Detroit proper" location because they don't want to travel to or stay in the city. Dearborn was apparently more appealing.

I guess these knuckleheads don't know that the whole Fairlane area is basically across the street from a fast-declining section of Detroit.

[noise]

I guess these knuckleheads don't know that the whole Fairlane area is basically across the street from a fast-declining section of Detroit.

To be fair, there are an equal number of people who wouldn't attend the Dearborn conference due to it being in Detroit. Ann Arbor is as close as they'll come.

[Packman41]

Shows the level of desperation with the current ownership. You can just smell it now.

This is the BEST they could do? Both the ownership and now the new management company are in way over their head.

Seems that Atmosphere Hospitality/Adoba Eco Hotel is managing only one, 177 room hotel in Rapid City, S.D. Rooms are $64 a night. See a photo of a renovated room below.

Adoba certainly has a green philosophy, including the following amenities:

• New, Stylish, a Socially Responsible Trustworthy LEED Design
• Iconic “Fountain of Energy” in Lobby; The heart of the Holistic Energy Design
• Interactive Lobby Earth Lab/Business Center and Virtual Fitness Center
• Atmosphere Bar & Grill – Organic Opened Wood-Fired Grill
• Exclusive Private Label Green Furniture Package
• Signature Bedding Package “Suenos Verde” – Green Dreams®
• A High-Tech Social-Centric Area Dedicated to Guests Staying Connected

If there is any good news it is that Atmosphere/Adoba will keep any existing employee in place that wants a job. They do not have a deep bench of talent to transfer over from other properties.

The bigger question remains. Who is going to fund this renovation and ongoing maintenance? Management companies such as Atmosphere/Adoba ONLY bring management skills, they never bring money to the table. And with Adoba being an independent how will they attract anybody without a national reservation system?

If the current owners are unwilling or unable to cure deferred maintenance and make renovations, then this hotel will slowly slide away.

[cmubryan]

So, I e-mailed the CEO of Adoba Hotels last night and already received a personalized response this morning. I have to say he realizes the challenges set before him and does have 25 years of experience with turning around hotel assets so maybe there is hope for the hotel. I just am concerned that the name is going to be a turn-off. We all know that in any industry and especially with the hospitality industry, people are attracted to the names they know. An unfamiliar name with no brand affiliation is going to be an immediate “no” to a lot of people. Especially, given the fact that this hotel needs conventions and meetings to fill its almost 800 rooms!

By the way, it amazes me how so many people are immediately negative when it comes to this hotel. It is a true architectural masterpiece. Yes, its exterior may be bland and sterile to some people but it has its place in history and is a true example of 1970s modern architecture, which by the way, we don’t have a ton of in the area due to the economic climate of the time. No one can doubt that the soaring lobby is impressive and would be a shame to lose. Also, it seems like everyone wants to count Dearborn out as a viable area. Why? Ford HQ, U of M, The Henry Ford, Westborn and its proximity to downtown Detroit still make this area very attractive in my mind.

[Bham1982]

Also, it seems like everyone wants to count Dearborn out as a viable area. Why? Ford HQ, U of M, The Henry Ford, Westborn and its proximity to downtown Detroit still make this area very attractive in my mind.

I don't think anyone is "counting Dearborn out"; however, I don't see any need for a massive 800-room convention hotel in this location [[or really any location in SE Michigan).

Yes, there's Ford HQ attracting some guests, but I don't see significant additional corporate or leisure drivers. U-M Dearborn is a commuter campus that's 20 minutes from pretty much all the existing local hotel submarkets, and the Henry Ford isn't going to draw much overnight business.

[piczka]

Why not convert it to a mosque? Plenty of rooms to have a Hajj!

[DetroitPlanner]

Why not convert it to a mosque? Plenty of rooms to have a Hajj!

Well it is not in Mecca for starters. Can't have a Hajj without Mecca!

I would dispute the assertion that the Hyatt is no longer needed. Dearborn is home to a great tourist attraction and the number of hotel rooms in the City has decreased since it was built. Goners include the Holiday Inn and Quality Inns on Michigan in West Dearborn and the Presidential in East Dearborn as well as numerous mom and pop motels. Many of the other ones that are left are not of the same quality.

More rooms are an indicator of money coming into the region. This money will not only be spent in Greenfield Village, but at other attractions such as the DIA. Dollars for tourists employ people throughout the area who would not be working otherwise.

[Bham1982]

More rooms are an indicator of money coming into the region. This money will not only be spent in Greenfield Village, but at other attractions such as the DIA. Dollars for tourists employ people throughout the area who would not be working otherwise.

IMO you have it reversed.

More hotel rooms don't attract more tourists/visitors. Rather, more tourists/visitors attract more hotel rooms.

Reopening this hotel probably just hurts existing hotels, which have fairly low occupancy.

[Packman41]

Easy to see why you can get in touch with the CEO so quickly. Wanted to see what this operation looked like, so I did a Google search of the headquarters’ address.

Below is a Google Street View photo of Atmosphere/Adoba’s World HQ – it is the guy’s house.

According to Zillow: This 1752 square foot single family home has 3 bedrooms and 2.0 bathrooms. It is located at 300 Quail Ridge Cir Highlands Ranch, Colorado on a lot 60’ wide and 153’ deep [[0.18 acres).

This has got to be the guy’s biggest, single assignment in his entire career. Rapid City, S.D. to the Dearborn Hyatt – WOW.

Judge for yourself.

[DetroitPlanner]

IMO you have it reversed.

More hotel rooms don't attract more tourists/visitors. Rather, more tourists/visitors attract more hotel rooms.

Reopening this hotel probably just hurts existing hotels, which have fairly low occupancy.

You're not reading the full explanation. There are fewer rooms now in Dearborn than there were after this place opened. There is a market for this kind of place as it is just slightly under what you would have for the Henry or the Dearborn Inn. IF there wasn't, it would not make sense to keep it open as the operating costs for a single property of this size has to be huge.

It also has amenities that those places do not have so it makes a good place for a certain type of traveller. The smaller hotels have become budget hotels and I don't know about you but a shun away from staying at places like the Victory Inn or Ramada as you never know what you're going to get.

[rooms222]

As touched on, there is the convention dynamic, especially for state-wide or regional conventions [[especially with Ohio, Ontario, and Indiana attendees).

An organization I belong to is still planning to have next spring's convention at the "Dearborn Hyatt." They have three major meetings a year. One is in Lansing, One is in an up-north resort, and one alternates between Metro Detroit and Kalamazoo. There is no way they would do an event without free parking. Also, as stated by others, there is little desire from the out-state members to do an event inside the city.

As of next year, for the first time, the up-north event will be on the grounds of a casino [[I was told that this resistance was why Grand Traverse does not have a casino on the grounds, but runs a shuttle bus to the casino they own 4 miles away). Thus, Motor City or Greektown might eventually be the competition for an event of 400-800 attendees over the Dearborn Hyatt, depending on the room rate. For a "resort" some rooms need to be in low $100's per night to get this crowd........IJS that there is a market for affordable convention hotels for such things as kid's hockey, regional exhibitions and such....The Dearborn Hyatt has these events every day. They are not that upscale, but do need a bunch of rooms and exhibit rooms in the same place.

[hybridy]

Edward Hotel in Dearborn has abruptly closed

Joins the ranks of Northfield Hilton + Southfield Holiday Inn

"Once a jewel in the city of Dearborn, the former Hyatt Regency, renamed in 2016 the Edward Hotel & Convention Center, was shuttered Friday after inspectors found several fire code violations and maintenance issues. "

[cmubryan]

Edward Hotel in Dearborn has abruptly closed

joins the ranks of Northfield Hilton + Southfield Holiday Inn

Crappy news.

FYI the Southfield Holiday Inn reopened last year as the newly renovated Best Western Premier. However the former Michigan Inn adjacent to Northland sits empty.

[Bham1982]

The hotel is too big. What was Ford thinking? That hotel is ginormous, and has no purpose except to serve Fairlane area, which has little appeal outside of Ford HQ.

I guess you could get a few out-of-towners interested in Henry Ford, but not enough to fill 1,000 rooms.

They should probably just knock it down, but it would cost too much. It will likely sit.