Major COBO Renovations Announced This Morning

**BrushStart** · August-28-11, 03:38 PM

When is the whole COBO renovation supposed to be completed, and are they on schedule? How are they going to work around the upcoming auto show?

**gthomas** · August-29-11, 01:15 PM

Wonder why a hotel was never included in the expansion? Th Hotel Pont. is vacant and could of been renovated or rebuild to accommodate visitors? That's a huge eyesore right next to COBO.

**gthomas** · August-29-11, 01:25 PM

Ritz Carlton? Hard Rock Hotel? Aloft...just to name a few?

**mikeg19** · August-29-11, 02:30 PM

Were getting a bit off topic, but the Pont would seem to be an excellent property in Downtown to renovate into a hotel or apartment building, especially with the demand being absolutely through the roof to live downtown. I bet that building is not vacant for much longer. The location is too good to not be used.

**DetroitPlanner** · August-29-11, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

Were getting a bit off topic, but the Pont would seem to be an excellent property in Downtown to renovate into a hotel or apartment building, especially with the demand being absolutely through the roof to live downtown. I bet that building is not vacant for much longer. The location is too good to not be used.

It could be that the Pontch [[Pont is a bridge) may need too much to be able to compete with the other downtown hotels. All of the other major downtown hotels have extensive amenities like pools or fitness rooms. This place had an outdoor pool which will not pull users for the Auto Show! The only other major hotel without a pool is the Anteneum and it has other features to make up for it such as huge rooms and location.

The last two owners really just put band-aids on the place. It needs to have an owner with vision. It does have the top floor ballroom, but the last meeting I went to they were using it for storage!

In an attempt to get this back on target. The new space is supposed to be completed this year. I have seen some work up there. The whole project will take a few years to complete.

bartock · August-29-11, 03:29 PM

They've been digging in the tunnel area off of Congress for weeks.

**cmubryan** · August-30-11, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

It could be that the Pontch [[Pont is a bridge) may need too much to be able to compete with the other downtown hotels. All of the other major downtown hotels have extensive amenities like pools or fitness rooms. This place had an outdoor pool which will not pull users for the Auto Show! The only other major hotel without a pool is the Anteneum and it has other features to make up for it such as huge rooms and location.

The last two owners really just put band-aids on the place. It needs to have an owner with vision. It does have the top floor ballroom, but the last meeting I went to they were using it for storage!

In an attempt to get this back on target. The new space is supposed to be completed this year. I have seen some work up there. The whole project will take a few years to complete.

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.

I would think if downtown Detroit continues to pick up steam as a viable destination, there would be enough demand where the Pontch could compete as a mid-scale property [[Radisson, Four Points, Wyndham, or revert back to a Sheraton). A contributing factor for it's closing was the ownership, Shubh Hotels ran out of money. They went through a huge fiasco in Pittsburgh with the renovation of their historic Hilton property. I believe they declared bankruptcy.

**gthomas** · August-30-11, 09:17 PM

Maybe they will include a hotel on a latter date..? They should tear down the "Pontch" and rebuild it to be the convention hotel.

**Gistok** · August-31-11, 12:37 AM

I'm always weary of a "tear down" without a replacement option... that's been the modus operandi for a long time in Detroit. If someone wants to re-develop the property, I would say fine..... but until then... let the old building stay...

**MSUguy** · August-31-11, 01:48 AM

In a way it's bit ironic, the Pontch contributed to the death of older downtown hotels due their smaller room size and lack of amenities.; only two of those hotels to be renovated and put the Pontch out of business. I'd say a direct connection to Cobo as something that is very needed as pretty much every major convention center has one attached hotel.

**cramerro** · August-31-11, 06:55 AM

All the rooms are fully furnished, they didn't sell off their assets when closing like many older hotels do.

As for tearing it down, I am also against that tactic unless it is by a developer prepping the site for an approved development.

I would love to see the site be re-built... it has to be the UGLIEST street facade presence of ANY downtown building, and of course it's across from the front door of the convention center, across from the river. The worst location for it's 3 stories of popcorn beige stucco with all sorts of mechanical equipment, crumbling concrete patio space, and a small cave to pull into when dropped off from Larned [[the 'back door').

My grandfather worked at an industry located on that block that closed down shortly before the hotel was built - would be great to see a more fitting development with a bridge to the convention center take its place!

bartock · August-31-11, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by cramerro

All the rooms are fully furnished, they didn't sell off their assets when closing like many older hotels do.

As for tearing it down, I am also against that tactic unless it is by a developer prepping the site for an approved development.

I would love to see the site be re-built... it has to be the UGLIEST street facade presence of ANY downtown building, and of course it's across from the front door of the convention center, across from the river. The worst location for it's 3 stories of popcorn beige stucco with all sorts of mechanical equipment, crumbling concrete patio space, and a small cave to pull into when dropped off from Larned [[the 'back door').

My grandfather worked at an industry located on that block that closed down shortly before the hotel was built - would be great to see a more fitting development with a bridge to the convention center take its place!

I kind of like the cave part on Larned, but yeah, the rest of the facade sucks.

**cmubryan** · August-31-11, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by bartock

I kind of like the cave part on Larned, but yeah, the rest of the facade sucks.

I'll take it versus another empty lot or surface lot which is pretty much the only other option at this point. It's footprint is on the smaller side to tear down and rebuild with a monster hotel that is so often connected to convention centers. Unless of course they built up. I say get a decent owner in there with some $$ and get the building operational. If it can become self sustaining over a couple of years then they can start discussing expansion options. It would do fine as the smaller scale hotel that it is. We now have enough mega hotels [[Ren Cen Marriott, Westin BC, the three casino hotels).

**DetroitPlanner** · August-31-11, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by cmubryan

I'll take it versus another empty lot or surface lot which is pretty much the only other option at this point. It's footprint is on the smaller side to tear down and rebuild with a monster hotel that is so often connected to convention centers. Unless of course they built up. I say get a decent owner in there with some $$ and get the building operational. If it can become self sustaining over a couple of years then they can start discussing expansion options. It would do fine as the smaller scale hotel that it is. We now have enough mega hotels [[Ren Cen Marriott, Westin BC, the three casino hotels).

The footprint is not so small. The CAY Cobo expansion had a second tower built where the current patio is located with a bridge connecting it to Cobo.

The hotel is similar in size to the Casino Hotels, though it does not have the amenities. Casino Hotels were all designed to be 400 room hotels the Pontch has slightly less http://www.ask.com/wiki/Detroit_Riverside_Hotel

**esp1986** · August-31-11, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by cmubryan

I'll take it versus another empty lot or surface lot which is pretty much the only other option at this point. It's footprint is on the smaller side to tear down and rebuild with a monster hotel that is so often connected to convention centers. Unless of course they built up. I say get a decent owner in there with some $$ and get the building operational. If it can become self sustaining over a couple of years then they can start discussing expansion options. It would do fine as the smaller scale hotel that it is. We now have enough mega hotels [[Ren Cen Marriott, Westin BC, the three casino hotels).

Give it time. With the location of this building and it's relative condition, there is a pretty good chance that developers will have it on their radar sooner rather than later, especially if demand Downtown continues to grow. Sure it has it's faults, but the fact that it hasn't been sitting open for years helps. Whether or not it's future is as a hotel may be another story...

**cramerro** · August-31-11, 10:35 AM

Agree with the last few posts. The thing is, it takes up a whole block, but the nasty aforementioned beige base is only about 2/3 of the block, and the tower much, much less. there is so much potential for the site, either with a twin [[can't imagine that happening without needing to re-build all the lower level amenities), or a whole new structure.

See aerial for more detail: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=detroi...src=6&t=h&z=19

Dream: the market continues to pick up for residential units and the site is redeveloped as a mixed-use tower with ground level retail, a nice hotel [[not too many rooms), covered walk to cobo, and residential apts/condos on the upper floors. Location along the outbound leg of the light rail 1 block from proposed station also a plus.

**rsa.313** · August-31-11, 12:34 PM

i think it's interesting to note in this conversation that the original plan was to "twin" the tower on the "podium" closest to cobo. there is enough room and foundations in place to do this. other parts of the original plan [[if the twin tower was built) included enclosing the pool and incorporating a covered walkway over washington boulevard connecting the complex directly to cobo. IMO realizing these original designs would make the hotel more competitive.

**gthomas** · August-31-11, 12:42 PM

I like your "Dream" I can see that happening..that site has so much potential. It can make COBO that much desirable for more larger national conventions and other host events. I really hope they include a hotel soon..that corner can be a new hotspot! Very visible..

**animatedmartian** · September-01-11, 01:52 PM

Cobo released this video about on going progress.

http://youtu.be/bqyRUESlEKs

**MSUguy** · September-01-11, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Cobo released this video about on going progress.

http://youtu.be/bqyRUESlEKs

You can embed the video

**animatedmartian** · September-01-11, 05:44 PM

Lol, I realized that when I posted it, but I was too lazy to go back and do it. Thanks though.

**gthomas** · September-01-11, 07:25 PM

I like the upgraded features and steady progress, I'm all smile that this is really happening. Can't wait to see the new digital screen go up and the new entrance to the atrium off the riverfront.

**Warrenite84** · September-01-11, 11:23 PM

The extra parking was new to me...

**Junkin4Life** · September-02-11, 07:30 AM

It would be cool if MTV TRL did a show @ COBO, but i completely doubt it. So anyways I would adore the Wintergarden look on the South Atrium of the facility, Just like RenCen.My fingers are definitely crossed for that.