Hotel Pontchartrain?

**Zads07** · July-22-12, 11:27 PM

It's been a few months since news broke that an unnamed investor bought the former Hotel Pontchartrain across the street from Cobo and nothing has really found it's way to the media. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? Will it be renovated? What's it going to be? Who bought it? Who has some awesome memories from that place?

**jpbollma** · July-22-12, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by Zads07

It's been a few months since news broke that an unnamed investor bought the former Hotel Pontchartrain across the street from Cobo and nothing has really found it's way to the media. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? Will it be renovated? What's it going to be? Who bought it? Who has some awesome memories from that place?

Hi Zads, I was able to find this: http://www.changinggears.info/2012/0...or-a-comeback/

For the past few years, the Hotel Pontchartrain in Detroit has stood shuttered and empty, a looming symbol of the city’s better days. But now, the Pontch looks like it is coming back to life, thanks to a Mexican developer.
The Detroit News reported this morning that the 25-story hotel was purchased by Gabriel Ruiz, a Mexican businessman, and that the hotel will become a Crowne Plaza once more.
Bill Bohde, a senior vice president of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the InterContinental Hotels Group, which runs the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts chain, informed him of the sale last week.
Bohde says he understands the group has an agreement in principle to make it part of the Crowne Plaza chain, and restore it as a 416-room property.
The hotel, nicknamed “the Pontch” by Detroiters, has one of the premium locations in all of downtown, across from the Cobo Convention Center. But it has been shut since 2009, when its air conditioning system failed.

**jpbollma** · July-22-12, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by jpbollma

Hi Zads, I was able to find this: http://www.changinggears.info/2012/0...or-a-comeback/

For the past few years, the Hotel Pontchartrain in Detroit has stood shuttered and empty, a looming symbol of the city’s better days. But now, the Pontch looks like it is coming back to life, thanks to a Mexican developer.
The Detroit News reported this morning that the 25-story hotel was purchased by Gabriel Ruiz, a Mexican businessman, and that the hotel will become a Crowne Plaza once more.
Bill Bohde, a senior vice president of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the InterContinental Hotels Group, which runs the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts chain, informed him of the sale last week.
Bohde says he understands the group has an agreement in principle to make it part of the Crowne Plaza chain, and restore it as a 416-room property.
The hotel, nicknamed “the Pontch” by Detroiters, has one of the premium locations in all of downtown, across from the Cobo Convention Center. But it has been shut since 2009, when its air conditioning system failed.

Not to highjack your thread in any way, but whenever I read that the Detroit hotels have high vacancy I have trouble believing it. I have been there on quite a few weekends before deciding I want to move there and many times the hotels would be booked or near capacity. I have especially had a hard time getting a room in the Greektown Casino Hotel.

**Chicago48** · July-23-12, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by jpbollma

Not to highjack your thread in any way, but whenever I read that the Detroit hotels have high vacancy I have trouble believing it. I have been there on quite a few weekends before deciding I want to move there and many times the hotels would be booked or near capacity. I have especially had a hard time getting a room in the Greektown Casino Hotel.

I read somewhere that the hotel occupancies were averaging 55% and the new hotels were just barely breaking even. You probably go during high event times.
The Ponch was probably a "steal". The last time I stayed at the Pontch which was about 11 years ago, you could see the ruin. It needed lots and lots of work. 416 is too big a hotel, most hotels being built today are small boutiques. If Ohio opens its casinos, the Detroit hotels will suffer.

**DetroitPlanner** · July-23-12, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by Chicago48

I read somewhere that the hotel occupancies were averaging 55% and the new hotels were just barely breaking even. You probably go during high event times.
The Ponch was probably a "steal". The last time I stayed at the Pontch which was about 11 years ago, you could see the ruin. It needed lots and lots of work. 416 is too big a hotel, most hotels being built today are small boutiques. If Ohio opens its casinos, the Detroit hotels will suffer.

Ohio's casinos have been open for a few months now.

**softailrider** · July-24-12, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by Zads07

It's been a few months since news broke that an unnamed investor bought the former Hotel Pontchartrain across the street from Cobo and nothing has really found it's way to the media. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? Will it be renovated? What's it going to be? Who bought it? Who has some awesome memories from that place?

It seems like they've been doing some work on it. I've seen the elevator people there, and various other activity going on. Maybe they'll get it going by auto show time.

**Hypestyles** · July-24-12, 12:24 PM

hmm.. wonder how much the air conditioner upgrade will cost?
does the hotel have a lounge/performance venue?

**cramerro** · August-02-12, 12:45 PM

Quick update... noticed while walking at lunch that there is a full dumpster at the loading dock, and there were two workers on exterior of the building doing work on upper floors. Several of the windows are open, especially in the 'column' where they are working.

**jpbollma** · August-02-12, 12:47 PM

Good news! It would be nice if it was open by Auto Show time...

**GPCharles** · August-02-12, 01:24 PM

Bring back P'Jazz, one of the best after-work activities ever in downtown! That was the place to be in the mid-70s.

**DetroitPlanner** · August-02-12, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by cramerro

Quick update... noticed while walking at lunch that there is a full dumpster at the loading dock, and there were two workers on exterior of the building doing work on upper floors. Several of the windows are open, especially in the 'column' where they are working.

I've noticed they have been working on that for the last couple of weeks. I have seen trucks parked in the entranceway and lights on in the lower lobby. Have not noticed dumpsters though. Thats a great sign.

There is something about that building that I like. Its not like anything else downtown.

**kryptonite** · August-02-12, 03:26 PM

Thanks for updating. t's encouraging news. I have always loved the Ponthartrain, such unique and beautiful architecture in my opinion.

**DetroitPlanner** · August-09-12, 09:58 PM

This morning I saw more workers moving in... mechanical contractors are on site.

**stinkytofu** · December-06-12, 06:11 PM

Something is definitely up. There have been workers going in and out over the last few months and they just painted the bottom purple...which is odd. Most noticably, they have actually built a small steel extension right off Jefferson. It's not big at all [[perhaps a new covered entrance?) and still under construction, but...who knows...

**mikeg19** · December-07-12, 05:32 PM

"Gilbert buys Ponch, Ventures Into Hotel Business"

Wishful thinking. Any pics of this?

**DetroitPlanner** · December-07-12, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

"Gilbert buys Ponch, Ventures Into Hotel Business"

Wishful thinking. Any pics of this?

So far the new paint ain't ugly enough for glibert's tastes.

**Gannon** · December-08-12, 07:36 PM

They've got quite the happy crew doing the outside work...on Friday, I got stuck at that light with a few of the windows open a bit and heard someone singing and carrying on. Realized it was UP the building some, so I opened the sunroof...and saw the guys on the window-washing plank. I'm not so sure I'd be singing twenty floors off the ground!

Looks like they haven't decided on which purple or maroon to use yet, those look like color tests on that lower deck wrap.

They are racing to the Auto Show...

**DetroitPlanner** · December-08-12, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

They are racing to the Auto Show...

I've noticed more activity there in the last couple of weeks as well. That purple is hideous. Don't know if they will make the auto show but they are giving it a good try.

**softailrider** · December-08-12, 07:45 PM

They're working like hell on that place. I've seen all types of trades going in and out. That place really needed something, it was a total dump for several decades. Still can't figure out why the fountain on the Larned side had to go.

**DetroitPlanner** · December-08-12, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

They're working like hell on that place. I've seen all types of trades going in and out. That place really needed something, it was a total dump for several decades. Still can't figure out why the fountain on the Larned side had to go.

I think they got tired of me getting drunk and peeing in it!

**gthomas** · December-08-12, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I think they got tired of me getting drunk and peeing in it!

Lmao, I second that...I know, I know.

**Gistok** · December-08-12, 09:00 PM

I realize it was dumpy... but didn't previous owners [[before foreclosure)... do some of the room upgrades already?

**campbellsimon** · December-08-12, 09:13 PM

The Pontchartrain is not the only memorable building in the news. Have you heard about the iconic high-rise apartment building in downtown Detroit – Riverfront Towers? I read that within the next few months itcould be sold at auction like thousands of other foreclosures in the metro area and elsewhere in the country.

Here's the location where I read the article: http://www.bankforeclosuressale.com/...-09273800.html

**cmubryan** · December-09-12, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

I realize it was dumpy... but didn't previous owners [[before foreclosure)... do some of the room upgrades already?

Yes, as bad as Shubh was, they did gut the rooms and hallways and also renovated the main lobby, in 2008. They also added a new fitness center and indoor pool adjacent to the motor lobby. They renovated everything to be pretty brand specific to Sheraton. It will be interesting how the new owners redo the renovations to make it a Crowne Plaza.

**401don** · December-09-12, 12:00 PM

The downtown hotel market, not unlike the rest of downtown, seems to be event driven. It appears to do as well or better weekends than weekdays, especially in the summer. The Crowne Plaza chain focuses on the business market and will struggle with the limited corporate business downtown. The small rooms don't help either. There still are not that many events at Cobo that book a couple of thousand rooms. It shares the same reservation system as Holiday Inns so I have a feeling there will be some price wars with the Holiday Inn Express, which almost lost their franchise recently. I hope it makes it but I just don't see the market yet.