Hong Kong investor interested in Detroit Boat Club

**Hypestyles** · January-23-14, 08:55 AM

curious. when did the Boat Club start to fall into disrepair? I see George Jackson's name mentioned. Is he always involved in stuff like this? http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...text|FRONTPAGE

**bailey** · January-23-14, 10:03 AM

I know that proposals to restore/reuse the DBC are a yearly occurrence, but this one seems to have some legs.

A Hong Kong investor is offering a rescue plan for the Detroit Boat Club, one of Belle Isle’s most historic and most dilapidated buildings.

The boat house, built in 1902, has been steadily sliding into the Detroit River, its docks twisted and sinking and its walls and roof deteriorating.

With its red tile roof and location near the foot of the Belle Isle bridge, the boat club is one of the most distinctive buildings on the island park.

That location is what caught the eye of Jimmy Lai, owner of the Vintage Hotel group, which operates seven hotels near Toronto and Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and Next Media, the largest media company in Hong Kong.

“You don’t hear this said often, but Detroit is really a pretty city,” says Mark Simon, Lai’s representative. “The riverfront is spectacular.”

The vision, Simon says, is to rebuild the boat club to its original appearance as a 100- to 120-room boutique hotel.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz2rEZO4PFg

It's been about 20 years since I've been inside that place... 100-120 hotel rooms, plus the space for Crew and then a ballroom/wedding venue? is it that big?

**Honky Tonk** · January-23-14, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by bailey

I know that proposals to restore/reuse the DBC are a yearly occurrence, but this one seems to have some legs.

It's been about 20 years since I've been inside that place... 100-120 hotel rooms, plus the space for Crew and then a ballroom/wedding venue? is it that big?

Rowed there over the Winter months a few years back. I DON'T think it's THAT big given that the Detroit Rowing Club will be allowed to stay. The place is still beautiful inside, and very salvagable. But more importantly, see the post 5 down below this one

**rb336** · January-23-14, 10:53 AM

The Boat Club operations were taken over by the city in 1996, but the building has been neglected for longer than that

**bailey** · January-23-14, 11:09 AM

whoops... missed that. my bad.

**Gistok** · January-23-14, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

The Boat Club operations were taken over by the city in 1996, but the building has been neglected for longer than that

OK... let's put neglected in the correct perspective....

The building structurally is in bad need of work, and the exterior is decaying.

However, the interior has been somewhat maintained by the Detroit Rowing Club, who's limited resources have made sure that the inside has been kept in relatively nice... [[at least when these photos were taken)...
http://www.detroiturbex.com/content/...lub/index.html

**Chinman** · January-23-14, 12:47 PM

While it is Salvageable...it will cost alot. worked on a Movie in 2009 and used it as a Location. The Cement walls are in a crumbling condition and wooden beams have fallen. The investor probably sees it's location as a better investment that the building itself.

**Chinman** · January-23-14, 12:52 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Boat_Club

**Smirnoff** · January-23-14, 04:30 PM

A long-distance Hong Kong investor believes it's worth saving.....but the city, county, & state do not?

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · January-23-14, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

A long-distance Hong Kong investor believes it's worth saving.....but the city, county, & state do not?

That would not surprise me. Its not like our city, county and state leaders are the most creative in adaptive re-use.

Seems like a long shot, but maybe with the state taking over Belle Isle, something like this is more likely.

**Gistok** · January-23-14, 05:14 PM

The bottom line is this... it would require a hotel tower addition to be built. Remember when Kwame wanted to put in a Maritime Training School there about 1/2 dozen years ago? It would have required dorms for the students. Both ideas would have meant major building additions to the current property... additions that would dwarf the existing historic site, and really don't fit well with the recreational use of the island....

But if someone wants to just restore the existing facility, more power to them...

**SWMAP** · January-23-14, 06:29 PM

This family owns the beautifully-restored hotels in Niagara-on-Lake. They are so fabulous and each is a small jewel.

**Gistok** · January-23-14, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by SWMAP

This family owns the beautifully-restored hotels in Niagara-on-Lake. They are so fabulous and each is a small jewel.

You mean these...
http://www.vintage-hotels.com/millcr...fault.htm?RD=1

Very nice indeed... but there's just no way that the Detroit Boat Club can have 100+ rooms without a new built addition.

Now after seeing these luxury places, I would be interested to see what they propose... but it sure wouldn't be for anything but upmarket.

**Omaha** · January-23-14, 08:00 PM

The DBC. Filled with privileged families, like the DYC separated by a bridge from the rest of Bell Isle. In what seems like another time, my parents were members. I was there every day all summer long with kids who had NO idea of the real world. I was there during the era when the DBC's Bill Maher's rose to national fame as the best single scull in the nation.

I wish good things for the structure. I hope it can become as grand as it once was...but open to the public so that everyone could enjoy its beauty.

**Cliffy** · January-23-14, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

A long-distance Hong Kong investor believes it's worth saving.....but the city, county, & state do not?

Just like that genius from Toronto that bought the Silverdome. People in this country know better.

**DetroitPlanner** · January-23-14, 10:23 PM

The State believes it can be the Mackinac Island of the South. This could potentially be the start. After all, Mackinac is known for its historic hotels. Can something for the casino be next? I sure hope they don't ruin it with a whole lot of fudge shoppes!

**mikeg19** · January-24-14, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I sure hope they don't ruin it with a whole lot of fudge shoppes!

Maybe we will FINALLY get that House of Blues......

**finster** · January-24-14, 10:18 AM

Anybody know if they allow autonomous commercial enterprises inside of state parks? If so some form of rehabilitation sounds fabulous as I eyeball this place with a sense of wonder, even in its present condition, everytime I drive past it.

**downtownguy** · January-24-14, 11:16 AM

I wonder if the park permit will be included with the room fee?

**DetroitPlanner** · January-24-14, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by finster

Anybody know if they allow autonomous commercial enterprises inside of state parks? If so some form of rehabilitation sounds fabulous as I eyeball this place with a sense of wonder, even in its present condition, everytime I drive past it.

Yes there is a beer hall at the Taquemenon Falls. Many Parks have concessions. http://www.yelp.com/biz/tahquamenon-...d-pub-paradise

There is a whole City that is leased on Mackinac Island. The entire Island is the Park, but the development in the park is done on 100 year leases.

**Honky Tonk** · January-24-14, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by mikeg19

Maybe we will FINALLY get that House of Blues......

3 words.......

CHEESE CAKE FACTORY!

**kryptonite** · January-24-14, 11:46 AM

DBC has been open in the past during Shiver on the River. This year the Shiver is Feb. 1. I have visited the boat club twice at past Shiver events. It's worth seeing. The Rowing Club will accept donations toward building maintenance. They are trying to keep it alive.

http://www.detroitriver.org/

**Honky Tonk** · January-24-14, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

DBC has been open in the past during Shiver on the River. This year the Shiver is Feb. 1. I have visited the boat club twice at past Shiver events. It's worth seeing. The Rowing Club will accept donations toward building maintenance. They are trying to keep it alive.

http://www.detroitriver.org/

Sign up for a Winter rowing class. It's fun, a good workout, and the view is terrific.