David Whitney Building Renovation [Now Open for Business]

[jw101]

It's on TripAdvisor now, too!

[jw101]

Passed by it today... Grand Cirque Brasserie ads on window, and you can clearly see straight into the lobby- awesome! Light up circular desk, covers off of the doors, and passing by on Washington, you could see the wxyz sign for the new bar. Going to be a great hotel, also, they'll have a facade lighting on Monday [[12/15/14) at 4:30 pm.

[buckster1986]

Details on tonight's lighting...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...life/20427329/

[stinkytofu]

Details on tonight's lighting...

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...life/20427329/

Hopefully the Broderick will learn a thing from this lighting. Heck, hopefully they also learn how to actually open ground floor retail...

[Detroitdave]

This is great news thanks for sharing. I'll be looking from my office window.
thanks for posting.

[Gistok]

Hehehe... maybe one of those spotlights should be aimed across the park over to the forlorn Fine Arts Buiding facade... and highlight how the Ilitch's are still doing nothing with it....

[Bucket]

The exterior lighting looks fantastic!

[Neilr]

The exterior lighting looks fantastic!

Yes, it does look fantastic!

I friend and I walked over this evening to see it and while there we were able to go into the lobby. It's breath-taking! When you go make sure you see the small foyer for the Woodward entrance. You won't be disappointed.

[mikeg19]

Those pictures look incredible. Now if only the Broderick would follow in line and add some lighting to its exterior. That's be one hell of an entrance into the CBD on Woodwarad.

[SpartanDawg]

this picture from MLive really shows how much they're putting the broderick to shame with the lighting. really hope they follow suit

[Gistok]

this picture from MLive really shows how much they're putting the broderick to shame with the lighting. really hope they follow suit

Maybe long dead painter Georgia O'Keefe could give the Broderick folks some tips on lighting up their building....

[jw101]

Sounds like today's opening has been delayed. http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...bury/20564489/ that's weird, I thought it was open after the lighting ceremony?

[stinkytofu]

Sounds like today's opening has been delayed. http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...bury/20564489/ that's weird, I thought it was open after the lighting ceremony?

Boo. I was planning on walking over to check it out at lunch.

If anybody hears about when it'll be open to anybody please let us know.

[313rd]

They don't build them like this anymore!

[jw101]

Wait, so it is open? I'm so confused.

[313rd]

Wait, so it is open? I'm so confused.

The bar is open and they will be accepting over night guests very soon.

[Lowell]

Thanks for the pictures. What does the WXYZ in the bar scene signify? The atrium is epitome of elegance. The colors other than the dashes of color seem a bit somber.

[animatedmartian]

If I can be nit-picky, I have mixed feelings about the decor. The modern decor and the historical architecture don't seem to clash, but I don't get a sense of classiness from this hotel like some other Detroit hotels. The David Whitney Building's features look spectacular. But the Aloft hotel portion kind of just looks like a snippet of IKEA. Certainly the developers had nothing to do with the hotel's decor, but I feel like a better hotel brand could better compliment Whitney's grandiose features. In practical terms, it probably won't affect the profitability of the hotel/building at all but it just doesn't seem like it's full potential, imo.

[jw101]

If I can be nit-picky, I have mixed feelings about the decor. The modern decor and the historical architecture don't seem to clash, but I don't get a sense of classiness from this hotel like some other Detroit hotels. The David Whitney Building's features look spectacular. But the Aloft hotel portion kind of just looks like a snippet of IKEA. Certainly the developers had nothing to do with the hotel's decor, but I feel like a better hotel brand could better compliment Whitney's grandiose features. In practical terms, it probably won't affect the profitability of the hotel/building at all but it just doesn't seem like it's full potential, imo.

Aloft is an interesting brand. They like to redevelop historical buildings with modern decor, like this in Liverpool:

[animatedmartian]

Yea, their website seems to give the impression that their target demographic are trendy 18-35 year olds who are traveling the world between college classes. Not a bad brand, but not my cup of tea for historical properties.

[stinkytofu]

Wait...if the bar is open...does that mean anybody can now just walk into the lobby? Really want to see it in person.

[Islandman]

I have stayed at the A Lofts in NYC and Charlotte; very trendy hotels. I know where I wll try to book a room in Detroit on my next visit.

Great pics, jw101, I am sold. Gorgeous!

[southen]

it is open to the public. here is a shot i nabbed walking through friday evening.

[Jimaz]

Makes me dizzy. LOL!

Good shot, southen. Did you use a tripod? It looks very carefully staged.

[southen]

Makes me dizzy. LOL!

Good shot, southen. Did you use a tripod? It looks very carefully staged.

nope just a super wide angle lens. im anal when it comes to symmetry and perspective so i tried to get it right in cam then tweaked it slightly in photoshop.