David Whitney Building to become Hotel and Apartments

**BrushStart** · May-27-11, 12:46 PM

Plans for the building have finally materialized. The company said it intends to get financing completed by end of the year. This is pretty major, folks.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...itney-building

**msawyer91** · May-27-11, 12:52 PM

I certainly hope this pans out. Far too many historic buildings in Detroit have met their fate with the wrecking ball or plastic explosives. Certainly there are some buildings that are too far gone to be saved, or those with such limited use that it would cost an outrageous sum to convert them to other use [[i.e. Ford Auditorium), but if a historic building has a realistic chance of being given new life, I'm all for it.

AND it will create a lot of new jobs. Construction workers, electricians, IT folks, etc. will be needed to get the facility renovated and up and running. And then there will be plenty of permanent jobs once the renovation is complete and facility opened.

**ghettopalmetto** · May-27-11, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by msawyer91

I certainly hope this pans out. Far too many historic buildings in Detroit have met their fate with the wrecking ball or plastic explosives. Certainly there are some buildings that are too far gone to be saved, or those with such limited use that it would cost an outrageous sum to convert them to other use [[i.e. Ford Auditorium), but if a historic building has a realistic chance of being given new life, I'm all for it.

I was thinking the same thing. Sure glad the City spent money to demolish the Statler-Hilton!

Kinda funny how the Book-Cadillac, Fort Shelby, and David Whitney are ALL being redeveloped before a single damned thing gets constructed on the Hudson's site--which, incidentally, we were told that as a "clear site" would have a better chance of redevelopment than some old dinosaur of an obsolete building. So, with all sincerity: Go fuck yourself, George Jackson.

Of course, Skipper's Rule still applies until the doors of the Whitney are opened, but given the recent track record of projects like this, and a rebounding economy, I'm wildly optimistic and ecstatic!

**esp1986** · May-27-11, 01:23 PM

They've obviously done their homework. The hotel industry was undoubtedly hurt during the downturn, but they have done enough to feel it is a safe investment. Obviously every hotel fills up for a couple weeks surrounding NAIAS, but the proximity to the nearby entertainment venues has to be a major plus for this.

Makes me wonder... wasn't there some former hotel over on Madison that would have made a perfect, oh I don't know, say "Boutique Hotel?"

**1KielsonDrive** · May-27-11, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto

I was thinking the same thing. Sure glad the City spent money to demolish the Statler-Hilton!

Kinda funny how the Book-Cadillac, Fort Shelby, and David Whitney are ALL being redeveloped before a single damned thing gets constructed on the Hudson's site--which, incidentally, we were told that as a "clear site" would have a better chance of redevelopment than some old dinosaur of an obsolete building. So, with all sincerity: Go fuck yourself, George Jackson.

Of course, Skipper's Rule still applies until the doors of the Whitney are opened, but given the recent track record of projects like this, and a rebounding economy, I'm wildly optimistic and ecstatic!

Don't forget Tiger Stadium and the UniRoyal site. UniRoyal was touted as being among the most desirable and marketable sites in the entire country, what, thirty years ago? Of course, clearing it was a good thing. But Tiger Stadium and Hudson's? Yes, I agree, Go F yourself George Jackson.

**bailey** · May-27-11, 01:25 PM

“Unlike a lot of the buildings in Detroit, this one hasn’t been destroyed inside,” Vosotas said. “There has been enough security to keep it preserved. So, we’ll be able to keep a lot of the original marble.”

Huh? Imagine that.... old buildings are more attractive for rehabs when they've been secured from looters, vandals and urban spelunkers. Wow... I would have never thought that.

**Detroit500** · May-27-11, 02:07 PM

Makes you wonder which chains...
Holiday Inn? Whyndam? Hilton? Hyatt?

Can't imagine its Westin, Marriott, or DoubleTree, though it would be fabulous if this were to be a J.W. Marriott or W Hotel, or Ritz lol.

**Danny** · May-27-11, 02:09 PM

YAY BING!

This is fast building boom in Downtown Detroit. New state of the art hotel and apts. at the David Whitney Building.

**Detroit500** · May-27-11, 02:19 PM

I have to say, the 2000s have seen so much historic development in the city, very exciting indicators hopefully for the downtown/urban experience.

**esp1986** · May-27-11, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Detroit500

I have to say, the 2000s have seen so much historic development in the city, very exciting indicators hopefully for the downtown/urban experience.

The best part about it... once the anchors on the northern end of Merchant's Row [[Broderick Tower, David Whitney Building) are restored and infill between there and Campus Martius will likely begin.

**p1acebo** · May-27-11, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by esp1986

The best part about it... once the anchors on the northern end of Merchant's Row [[Broderick Tower, David Whitney Building) are restored and infill between there and Campus Martius will likely begin.

I agree with this, and I truly hope that is what happens. I see work being done every day on the Broderick Tower which makes me believe that it can be completed on time [[sept. 2012). If that is the case you better believe I will be looking to move in there!

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · May-27-11, 03:07 PM

Great news. I am [[cautiously) optimistic about this project, since the owners of the Whitney seem to be responsible. If this momentum keeps up, at some point the Grand Circus area will be......grand!

**Lowell** · May-27-11, 03:15 PM

Fabulous news for a magnificent building! Beside the splendor of its gorgeous interior atrium which would make apartment / condo living with an inside 'front porch' possible, being a people mover stop is a huge bonus. With that and its location, it will be highly attractive. With the restoration of its neighbor across Woodward the two buildings will connect, rather than deaden, the gap between Grand Circus and Campus Martius.

**Gistok** · May-27-11, 03:21 PM

Glad to hear about the David Whitney Building....

Here's a Detroit blog wepage that shows many views [[inside and out) of the David Whitney Building....

http://www.detroitblog.org/?p=213

The building floor plans are shaped sort of like a parallelogram shaped squared off donut. Above the opaque glass skylit 4 story grand lobby [[after the Guardian Building, probably the most opulent in the downtown area) are 14 more stories of former commercial space with a 3,000 sq. ft. lightwell in the middle of each floor. so the hallways on each floor loop all the way around the open to the sky lightwell... with commercial space on both sides of the hall way [[some lit up by outside lighting, some lit up by the light well.

For me this would beg the question... who would want a hotel room or apartment that only looks out onto a lightwell... and not out onto the downtown area?

I had always fancied them moving the corridor to immediately adjoin the perimeter of the lightwell [[as it is in the 4 story atrium), and moving the ornate skylight from the top of the 4 story lobby to the top of the building, and having an 18 story atrium with the hallway of each floor with railings on one side... looking down onto the main floor of the atrium. That way each hotel room or appartment would have an atirum view from the hallway [[not viewable in the suites)... and spectacular views of the city from each spacious suite. Of course this begs the question... does the footprint of the lightwell in the upper 14 stories exactly match that of the 4 story atrium?

But that type of idea would be costly... since the existing hallways are already marble and oak lined... so I doubt they would do what I suggested. But that does beg the question... is there a market for suites without a view?

**gthomas** · May-27-11, 03:29 PM

How about a Hard Rock Hotel..? Great news though!

**esp1986** · May-27-11, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by gthomas

How about a Hard Rock Hotel..? Great news though!

That would be AWESOME! Would have been sweet if we got a Hard Rock Casino though!

**gthomas** · May-27-11, 04:21 PM

Woodward gone end up being the place to be seen and shop at .....*dreaming*

Cool Hotels/Apartments/Condos/Lofts and the whole "Webward" tech companies..Apple store in Chase Towers too..? This is only the beginning..

**gthomas** · May-27-11, 04:42 PM

I believe after both Broderick Towers & Whitney Building open they should restore the two Fountains at Grand Circus Park..? Statler site is next..

**gthomas** · May-27-11, 04:48 PM

W Hotel on Statler site and Hyatt Hotel in Whitney building.... Westin Book Cadillac and Book Building[[ Hard Rock Hotel)... = COOL HOTEL DISTRICT W/ fancy restaurant & retail!

**MSUguy** · May-27-11, 04:58 PM

Personally I'm fan the W chain and they do have a couple hotels in historic buildings

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...opertyID=97509

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...ropertyID=3019

**gthomas** · May-27-11, 05:05 PM

Yeah that would be nice..

Originally Posted by MSUguy

Personally I'm fan the W chain and they do have a couple hotels in historic buildings

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...opertyID=97509

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...ropertyID=3019

**davewindsor** · May-27-11, 06:42 PM

A 108 room hotel? Hmmm... So, what buildings next to it are getting knocked down for the 108 car parking garage?

**downtownguy** · May-27-11, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

... so the hallways on each floor loop all the way around the open to the sky lightwell... with commercial space on both sides of the hall way [[some lit up by outside lighting, some lit up by the light well.

I had an office on the 12th floor in the mid 80s. Actually, the hallway was more like a U with the Grand Circus Park side of the building at the top. My office was at the end of the hallway, overlooking Woodward and Grand Circus Park. If I wanted to visit my neighbors occupying the opposite corner from me overlooking Washington Blvd, I had to walk all the way around. Maybe some other floors completed the loop, but my memory's too fuzzy to remember.

But this great news. It is truly one of the nicest buildings downtown.

**rjlj** · May-27-11, 07:32 PM

Plenty of parking in the Grand Circus parking garage, I don't even see it as an issue.

Originally Posted by davewindsor

A 108 room hotel? Hmmm... So, what buildings next to it are getting knocked down for the 108 car parking garage?

**Gistok** · May-27-11, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

I had an office on the 12th floor in the mid 80s. Actually, the hallway was more like a U with the Grand Circus Park side of the building at the top. My office was at the end of the hallway, overlooking Woodward and Grand Circus Park. If I wanted to visit my neighbors occupying the opposite corner from me overlooking Washington Blvd, I had to walk all the way around. Maybe some other floors completed the loop, but my memory's too fuzzy to remember.

But this great news. It is truly one of the nicest buildings downtown.

You may be right... when the building was still occupied I took the People Mover there once [[when the station still dropped you off inside). And I took the elevator up to one of the floors... and quickly checked out one of the floors. I did a quick peak of the hallway going along Woodward and Washington Blvd.... and didn't go all the way up to the GCP end... so I wasn't able to verify that.

But if you remember it as a "U"... then it may have been that way on most if not all floors.

Also... does this mean that they will reopen the entranceway from the PM to the Whitney Building... thereby having 2 entrances... one for folks wanting to go into the Whitney Building... the other [[external) for folks wanting to go elsewhere?