I found a preliminary rendering of the renovated Crowne Plaza Hotel. I don't know if the finalized facade will be pink, but this is what the drive aisle and canopy will look like.
This rendering is courtesy of Stephen Berry Architectural Design out of Youngstown, Ohio. The canopy is being done by Tensile Structure Systems out of Baltimore.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B...+Rendering.jpg
For contrast:
http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.d...shows-reopened
IMO, that'd be one helluva way to update a dinosaur.
Gilbert fever color schemes are taking over downtown, I was walking a round downtown lastnight and notice about 5 floors in the One Woodward building with his "color" schemes painted differently on each floor already. With Aloft Hotel soon to start renovations on the David Whitney too, we will see alot more crazy, bright colors and signs throughout downtown. This is "eye popping" alright..
Awesome... just awesome. Do you now when it is scheduled to open?
If that's valet parking, there's not a lot of room there. It's going to back up on Jefferson when it's busy.
Look what brought out the "traffic engineer". As a real transportation engineer, if there is something that has more positives then negatives to make a development work, then the design works. Plain and simple.
Did Windsor trade places with Tijuana?
I wonder which will end up costing more, the rendering, or the pink paint?
Is that a outdoor pool or tennis court atop of the shorter part of the building?
LOL!! Good one. I wonder if anyone else gets it?Quote:
Originally Posted by stinkytofu
Yeah. The Mexican flag.Quote:
Originally Posted by DetroitPlannerLOL!! Good one. I wonder if anyone else gets it?Quote:
Originally Posted by stinkytofu
Oh dear, I didn't notice...Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimaz
Looks like a giant panty liner hanging off of the front.Quote:
Originally Posted by gthomas
It will be nice if they can put their name atop of the Hotel, I don't know if it's planned or not?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward
a better street level presence would be nice but thats pretty awful looking.
Where's the People Mover?
It is a rendering. The people mover is quite frankly ugly. They left it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by jtf1972
Yeah, "Wow!", all right. "Wow" as in that that purple is absolutely hideous. But, so long as the hotel is up and running, again, I really couldn't care less.
Go down Jefferson to the Courtyard and you'll find a far smaller valet/check in and it never seems to be a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by 401don
I thought I remember, when the Ponch was open, pick-up & drop off were on Larned street.Quote:
Originally Posted by 401don
Did anyone else note that the car at the front of the rendering is a BMW? While this is not a big deal, I would think a Detroit-conscious architect might use a Cadillac, particularly since it is right across the street from the auto show!
In April of 2012 they were still talking about Mexican hotel developer Gabriel Ruiz redeveloping this old hotel into a Crowne Plaza but, In January 2013 it's still closed.
Idk, but it's not even listed yet under Crowne Plaza's new hotel listings so it's probably going be awhile.Quote:
Originally Posted by jw101
The pink/purple is for reals, it is already on certain surfaces all the way around the property. The front pull-up area is in reality bigger than it looks, they havfe it all excavated right now. In addition, it is along Jefferson after the Lodge Fwy breaks away, so the traffic is local, and the Larned entrance looks to still be open as well.
They have been doing a LOT of work there on a daily basis for months now. All new mechanical HVAC systems along the east side, the new entrance, work on the roof, and lots of window work are visible from the outside.
They are probably 1/3 of the way done with replacing the windows... the new ones are more of a greenish/clear tint shown in the rendering compared to the old darker brown/black tinted windows. This week they are installing a full-sized building ad for the auto show on the Cobo-facing side for the Ford Transit Connect [[I think). FULL SIZE... all 20+ stories... its HUGE.
I'll see if the rain clears up I'll go snap a few pics.
I like it. I think it looks better than the pink former Ritz Carlton. I think it also works well with the color of the window glass. I just hope the color holds up after exposure to the elements.
Well at least paint is the least intrusive architectural change. Don't care for the color, but it doesn't go that badly with the tinted green glass. At least guests arriving won't have any trouble finding it... and likely those staying there won't see it [[if the top of the deck is not painted that color).
As for any resemblance to them Mexican flag... hardly think so... that's a green white and RED color... not green, white, purple and pink.
Again... it's just a paint color... perhaps weathered it won't look so bad. I bet most people here don't realize that during medieval times most buildings such as cathedrals and town halls were awash in colors. Royal cathedrals had their insides painted entirely in red... and all their exterior statuary was painted as well. Bet we'd get a lot of "yuks" if folks saw that today.
Uhhhhh, Have you looked @ the 2 flags on the first deck of the structure?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gistok
They 'test drove' a 2 or 3 shades of purple on the facade facing Washington. The color they chose isn't as saturated [[at least in the middle of winter) as the rendering portrays.
No.... like the disucssion of the car in front... I generally stick to the topic at hand... and ignore peripheral non-related stuff.... but thanks for pointing that out...Quote:
Originally Posted by Honky Tonk
That's what I'm here for.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Gistok
I had great memories at that hotel.
My mother worked at the lobby and at valet before she found another job at Henry Ford Hospital. Our family has stayed at that hotel many nights before it was closed down.
At the building is an historic marker representing the site for where Detroit was originally founded.
When I heard that someone would reopen the hotel, I was happy. I would like to make some suggestions:
Do not put the Mexican flag on the flagpole. If you're going to put flags up there, put the USA flag, the State flag, and the City flag there.
Especially the City flag, since the historic marker was located on the Parking lobby level.
At one point in the past there was a discussion of putting a 2nd tower on the western half of the Ponchartrain block... and then connect it with the expanded Cobo [[which has special structural features for such a skyway already in place). However, that came of naught, and so the western part of that block is still available.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tig3rzhark
I wish more facilities in Detroit would fly Detroit's flag. Hotels have a pretty good track record. Both the Marriott in the Ren Cen and the Book Cadillac fly the flag. The supreme irony is that it does not fly at the City County Building, but you can find it at the entrance of the Incinerator. Props to Dan Gilbert, too, as it flies at The Qube [[old Chase Tower on Woodward).
Remember Ernie Swan @ the piano bar? Fun times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tig3rzhark
I never gave it much consideration, but now that you bring it up - I would like to see the city flag at more locations around town.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tig3rzhark
Marketing 101 says you should fly the Canadian flag also. After all you want all those hockey pucks to going to JLA to feel welcome at your hotel eh!
I am currently visiting in Chicago and almost ANYTHING they put there is better !
Detroit and Detroiters need to think outside the box !
It's not the worst thing that has happen to Detroit
Detroit needs like 200 more hotels and stores in downtown, not say that they should accept anything , but Detroit needs to move FORWARD and quickly !!!!
DETROIT is being left behind at an alarming rate .
With a city that is predominantly African America, did they have to use white businessmen in nice suits in the rendering? Don't they know they are going to get crap for that.
And why add that random women walking towards them? She suppose to be a prostitute?
One would think that out of town visitors coming here to Detroit for business or a convention would represent the majority American buisiness model.... so your point is moot....Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Brains
Still, our own idiotic city Council [[people who live here ACTUALLY VOTE THESE PEOPLE IN mind you) think Obama should give the city money just because. I'm sure when they run out of things to bitch about, they will resort to complaining about race demographics in architectural renderings of proposed ideas in city improvements.
I'm glad to hear work is actually getting done, even if slowly. Always nice to see another building go back online. i drive by on jefferson every day and have found it a bit odd that random room lights are on. I wonder how feasible it would be to make some rental apts in there; i could see some interest given the location and great views. I would think it would help out with revenue when hotel business is slow.
I noticed the Mexican flag right away which is a bit odd; also in the rendering it appears that the mechanical/hvac space on the roof is missing. I wonder if this equipment is being relocated for aesthetics or if they just forgot it.
About the Mexican flag,
I presume somebody told the architecture firm in Youngstown Ohio that there was a border country due south of Detroit and they assumed it was Mexico. I would have done the same.
Wait, what? It just looks like they added some pink paint and a modern-looking canopy. What else is even different about it?
Remodeled insides...Quote:
Originally Posted by artds
What an idiotic comment. Perhaps you should run for council.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Brains
Do you have more info on that? One of the challenges in upgraded old hotels is dealing with small room sizes and modern amenities. Did they address that?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gistok
Only what was posted on this thread.... which explains the Mexican flag...Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownguy
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...-Pontchartrain
I recall that thread from the first time around, but I didn't see anything in it about room renovations. Did I miss something?
I was going by the full dumpster comments.... and the comments about hopefully being done for the Auto Show...
From yesterday
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8...64f3306b_z.jpg
I didn't quite read all that was written but judging from the renderings they have the photo backwards. The way it's facing now is toward the river and there is certainly not enough room to put all the stuff in the photo
The rooms were completely renovated last time but then they supposedly auctioned off all the furnishings. I can't see them gutting the interior to make larger rooms. As a convention hotel, you can get away with smaller rooms like at the Ren Cen. Although by today's standards, both hotels are small even for convention guests. The problem is Cobo still attracts too few conventions requiring multiple overnight stays and the hotel will need to compete for the business traveller, which downtown still does not have enough of.Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownguy
Drove by it 2 times today... ALOT of workers putting something together! Looks like this is finally coming together.
I would agree, the only way the rendering could be close to accurate would be if the first lane, or parking lane, is devoured by the hotel. Cabbies would put on their frowns faces.Quote:
Originally Posted by MjvDet
It looks like they are replacing the glass with green tinted glass!Attachment 18047
To me, it is still aggravating to see these buildings being turned back into hotels rather than apartments. This building is becoming 100% hotel and the David Whitney will be half hotel, half apartments. Were these structures to be both 100% apartments I can guarantee they would be fully occupied within a month of opening. There is such massive demand for Downtown living, the market needs to start responding. I hope the Ponch does well but I don't think it will do as well as it would as an apartment building.
Please do not give certain members of council something else to be distracted about!
You're earlier comment did make me go back and look in Detail. Just for trivia in my mind I wondered why the two females both have on blue jeans and white casual short-sleeve shirts [[the one walking and the one sitting on the side of the buildig). Are women not part of business and commerce here? LOL!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Brains
While I agree that we need more residential downtown, the Ponch is not the answer. The windows don't open which is a major turnoff for potential tenants. The David Whitney will be more than half apartments, because the average apartment is bigger than the average hotel room.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flintoid
Not to steal the shine off the "Ponch", but I'm wondering why haven't "Hyatt" consider Downtown yet? The "Book Building" will be perfect for it, Washington Blvd will become a strong hotel district from the Crowne Plaza on Jefferson up to Holiday Inn Express, Westin Book Cadillac and soon-to-be Aloft Hotel/Apartments at GCP. Also a block away from Washington Blvd is the Double Tree Hotel. Hope some sort of Hotel consider the Book Building and include residential. We need a mix, I agree Flintoid.
Yeah that's what we need. A big new Hyatt with hundreds more rooms so the Pontch can go bankrupt even faster this time around.Quote:
Originally Posted by gthomas
Maybe they ARE business women!Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacha341
Last summer I heard an interview on the radio with the developer. He mentioned an existing tunnel to Cobo which they were trying to make functional.
This would seem to be a bonus for convention business but I have never heard anything more about it.
I here that - casual day Fridays perhaps!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Honky Tonk
I doubt there is a tunnel. If there is, I doubt it would be compatible with ADA requirements. When Cobo was expanded back in the 1980's I can recall seeing a plan to include an above ground walkway. In fact Cobo had a dead hallway put in to accomodate it.
I would not recommend it though. Detroit is not Minneapolis so our really brutal winter days are few. One of the criticisms that Minneapolis or Toronto have are that its grade separated building connections create two classes of pedestrians. It actually creates a subliminal hostile environment for visitors who subconscious tells them 'outside is unsafe'.
Yes, Cobo was expanded with the possibility of a sky bridge over to the hotel. But the discussions of a 2nd 400 room hotel tower put that plan on hold... even when the 2nd tower never came to fruition.
The green glass is looking very nice! 1-26-13
Attachment 18057
The pink part of the hotel has already been added. 1-26-13
Attachment 18058
I think it looks really good and adds some color to our skyline.
Now all it needs is a new name.
Emerald palace is what I'm thinking of.
Greenish/blueish glass is modern and trendy. I think this will go a long way to lightening up the exterior and giving it a color which will blend in better with the sky. Hopefully the interior of the rooms will also be likewise benefited. The dark tinted glass from days of old looks so dated and easily piss-frosted, kind of like the few remaining globe lamps off lower Woodward that somehow survived a streetscape project.
As someone mentioned a ways up the thread, I do hope they can do something with the top of the structure/add Crowne Plaza's name to the building. The gray box at the top of the zig-zag glass facade is very anti-climatic and really stand out in a negative kind of way.
Great to see this project moving forward with some vigor.
I did mentioned it awhile back in the thread. I agree with putting it on the big ugly gray box atop of the building.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocko
Something like this... with more.... pink?
http://www-ners.engin.umich.edu/PSAC...m/pontchar.JPG
The have added the Crowne Plaza signage to the left-hand end of each side of the street-level pink/purple band - noticed it this morning. Must be getting close if they're willing to have thier name on it!
What about the top of the building? Any luck?Quote:
Originally Posted by cramerro
Not yet, but I can see it out my window, so stay tuned.Quote:
Originally Posted by gthomas
The canopy is going up. Looking nice to see this near completion, hopefully by summer.
http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2013/03/hotel-pontchartrain-sprouts-tusks-as-work-progresses-within.php#5137a52af92ea1111302a12e
Walked around it today and snapped a few photos...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=4bcba0ded9
Thanks for the update photos Buckster, great to see the progress[[and I live 12 hours away so its even better to see). I'm not sure how long that cheap looking fake brick panel will last given the prevalence of lose hubcaps, rollinh shopping carts and/or trash cans down windswept Detroit sidewalks, but maybe that stuff is a little more solid than is looks [[though I doubt it). The new green windows and valet overhang are nice modern improvements. I like that they're keeping the historic Ponchartrain name, as well.
Check out the pics, I see there might be signage atop the hotel. Nice photos of interior here :http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotel...l/photos-tours
http://www.emporis.com/images/show/124192-Large.jpg
According to the site :Quote:
Originally Posted by jw101
http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotel...l/photos-tours it says, April 12, 2013 you can check in, looking at the current renovations...seems a few more months of work to me. I could be wrong...
The site currently states accepting reservations after August 1.Quote:
Originally Posted by gthomas
Happens all the time in rehab work. Cobo Arena's conversion just got bumped back from a June completion date to August...they had to move some events out.
I really like the new windows...and have hopes that the inside will look just as nice once renovated. Although, I must admit, I wish the Crown Plaza chain used a different color than medium-light purple, lol. That is such an ugly color to me.
Nice pics, Buckster. The new glass looks better than I expected. I no longer want that building to be torn down .
This would be cool but it's not very likely.
http://www.modeldmedia.com/devnews/t...pofpontch.aspxQuote:
Looking ahead, developer Gabriel Ruiz plans on building the hotel's second tower, which was part of the original Pontchartrain's design though never built, and connecting both towers via skywalk to Cobo Center. These plans are at least three years out.
Well the 2nd 400 room tower has been a topic for over 30 years... just never got off the ground. But I am happy to see the Top of the Ponch being reborn. It would be nice to have some of the old sky restaurants again [[besides at the RenCen). The Top of the Flame is one I remember from when I was a teen.
Another would be the wonderful Savoyyard Club high above the Buhl Building [[26th floor). It would be a spectacular addition as well [[currently it's just storage spece). I remember being up there for a wedding back in 1986... absolutely stunning views from the huge windows up on top of the Buhl... with wonderful views of the top of the Guardian Building and neighboring buildings, as well as the waterfront...
I can't believe how fast the Pontch has come around. I know it wasn't in as a bad of a shape as the Book Cadillac, but it seems like just yesterday it was closed and there was no chance of revival. Now it's opening in June with two restaurants, a bar, and a cafe with talk [[just talk though) of a second tower, plans I have never heard of. Most times things work slow in this town, but other times they happen with haste.
This Developer is so speedy and efficient! Hopefully the Pontch is successful and he picks up more Detroit projects! We need more people who renovate and actually do things when they say they're gonna do them!
It is my understanding the Savoyyard can't be used as a public space because it is not handicap accessible. The elevator stops a floor short and you have to walk up some stairs to gain entrance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gistok
For those who don't know the Savoyyard was named for a old creek that drained out of Black Bottom/Eastern Market across the northern edge of downtown, across Clifford and down Washington Ave. Clifford St is named for a tavern that stood outside the then city limits as it was on the wilderness side of the Savoyyard. To get to Cliffs you had to ford the creek via some well-placed rocks. As the Savoyyard was really used as a sewer, slipping into the creek gave you a stink. It was covered over when Fort Shelby was torn down and they used beams from the stockade to contain the flow.
sorry for the thread jack