Wurlitzer Building to be saved, turned into boutique hotel

**davewindsor** · April-02-15, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by gumby

If you only show up 15 minutes before one of the most attended events and expect to easily slip into a spot close to the acton, you are an idiot. Your arguement has become more and more ridiculous. I have a hard time believing you are being serious.

Exactly, neither of us would try to find parking 15 minutes before this event because we both know we wouldn't find a spot. You admitted my point exactly. Not enough spots. As more hotels open up without parking, it will only get worse, which is why new hotels need their own parking garages.

**davewindsor** · April-02-15, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by MSUguy

You think the majority of drivers feel entitled enough to waltz into a spot as close as the Opera House 15 minutes before one of the city's biggest events? Additional parking will be added downtown grows, but if you think the above is how you're ever going to be accommodated in a major city you're delusional.

No, I am fine with the status quo on how many parking spots exist in downtown today. BUT, by the same token, I do not think it's fair that the majority of drivers should lose the total amount of available parking spots next year because new hotels were allowed to be opened without building their own parking garages.

**davewindsor** · April-02-15, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

LOLOL. Davewindsor, please don't ever, ever give up on your dream of unlimited subsidized parking for Detroit.

You've got it. I will continue on my quest to see this city stay true to its name, "The Motor City".

**Zads07** · April-02-15, 04:05 PM

Going on a different tangent......I mean back on topic. Here's ASH NYC's website and a small tidbit of info on a New Orleans hotel they plan to renovate and one they did in Providence, RI.

http://ashnyc.com/hospitality

**Richard** · April-02-15, 04:48 PM

We restored this 1926 hotel,no parking and never did and has no effect.City builds parking garages fully automatic ,park and walk and life is easy.

http://floridanpalace.com/

**mwilbert** · April-02-15, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

No, I am fine with the status quo on how many parking spots exist in downtown today. BUT, by the same token, I do not think it's fair that the majority of drivers should lose the total amount of available parking spots next year because new hotels were allowed to be opened without building their own parking garages.

What does "the majority of drivers should lose the total amount of available parking spots next year" mean? And, whatever it means, why wouldn't it be fair? Why are people just naturally entitled to cheap parking? I can assure you that is not the case in the other downtowns I visit. If parking prices rise enough, I'm sure people will build more parking structures.

And, by the way, Detroit was not called the "Motor City" because of the large amounts of parking, or even because of the convenience of driving, but because of its leading role in auto production. In its heyday, it wasn't so easy to park downtown as it is now.

**gumby** · April-02-15, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Exactly, neither of us would try to find parking 15 minutes before this event because we both know we wouldn't find a spot. You admitted my point exactly. Not enough spots. As more hotels open up without parking, it will only get worse, which is why new hotels need their own parking garages.

No, I only said you wouldn't find a spot that close to the action 15 minutes before a major event. Obviously, I would not be an idiot and show up with much more time to spare because that is what a normal human being does. If I was running late I would expect to park a little farther out. I am confused why you think it makes sense for a hotel with 20 rooms to build their on parking garage when there is a perfectly good one across the street.

**ABetterDetroit** · April-02-15, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by gumby

No, I only said you wouldn't find a spot that close to the action 15 minutes before a major event. Obviously, I would not be an idiot and show up with much more time to spare because that is what a normal human being does. If I was running late I would expect to park a little farther out. I am confused why you think it makes sense for a hotel with 20 rooms to build their on parking garage when there is a perfectly good one across the street.

Don't be confused, he is parking challenged, all he cares about it abundant cheap parking for his use on his rare trips to a baseball or hockey game period, that's it.

As things change in the city, prices for parking will rise. You will have to adapt and know your way around to get a reasonable price. Those who can't do that will stop coming. It's fine it's called change. It will lead to more knowledgable visitors and residents who know how to get around in the city. It's a good thing.

**emu steve** · April-08-15, 04:20 PM

http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...town/25457437/

**mikeg19** · April-09-15, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by emu steve

http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...town/25457437/

I love the fact they will be making a rooftop lounge. Probably one of my favorite things about NYC is the abundance of rooftop eateries and bars that give off fantastic views of the city while enjoying the outdoors. The view of downtown from the top of the Wurlitzer would be fantastic. I'd like to see a lot more of these.

**innercitydoc** · April-09-15, 07:45 AM

It says that there will be direct access to the rooftop from the street. Meaning a separate elevator on the outside of the building? I'm having difficulty envisioning that.

**Dbest** · April-14-15, 09:42 AM

http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/arch...ehab-next-week

If approved, the developer estimates the hotel would open by September 2016.

The DBRA has asked City Council in a letter to set a public hearing during its meeting Tuesday for the project on April 30......

Wow thats a quick timeline, coincides with the Lions season start and possible playoff games for the Tigers. Not to the mention the Wings too. Poor Pistons out in A.H....

**Mackinaw** · April-14-15, 12:29 PM

Fantastic. Add this to the list of developers that are NOT complaining about municipal red tape [[see Arena thread about poor Olympia and the red tape its facing).

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · May-19-15, 03:44 PM

Curbed is reporting that the sale of the Wurlitzer has closed. Good news!

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...otel-rehab.php

**Detroit** · May-19-15, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

If they don't have additional parking in their plan, the building department shouldn't be granting an occupancy permit for another hotel. Most other cities, like Windsor across the river, have by-laws in place that don't allow hotel conversions without providing for new parking lots or structures. And why should Dan Gilbert allow them to park at Z-lot or the Greektown casino garage when he owns a competing hotel at Greektown? The opera house spots are for the opera house. This was previously an office building, so there's no parking grandfathering once it's a zoning change to a hotel, which makes it a new development.

Dan Gilbert would not screw over another hotel by not working out a deal to use some of his parking. It is still money in his pocket. Not to mention I know of some very nice things that Dan Gilbert has done for competitors that actually sort of surprised me truthfully.

**SpartanDawg** · May-19-15, 09:32 PM

some more details on ashnyc.com/hospitality ...

"There will be 97 guest rooms, in addition to a carefully curated food, beverage, and retail program, including one of Detroit's only rooftop bars with views into Comerica Park" ...

HELLO!

**gvidas** · May-19-15, 09:48 PM

Bring yer opera glasses.

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**MSUguy** · August-05-15, 11:28 AM

Looks like work has started a Monahan Construction sign is on top of it plus a other equipment out front

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**mikeg19** · August-05-15, 11:55 AM

Incredible. Another landmark that was on the short list to be demolished that is being brought back to life. Even better is the fact it is NOT a Gilbert property, and other entities are seeing the value in rehabbing Detroit buildings as well.

**Lowell** · September-18-15, 08:45 AM

They are getting serious on the Wurlitzer. I'm not sure what these braces are for, but there is no hurry to remove the Kwame+Bubba graffiti.

A construction stage is in place on the north side above 1515 Broadway. When I talked with the owner of 1515 last fall he was in negotiation to grant 'air rights' to all the building of balconies above 1515.

To think! These two beautiful buildings will soon be restored. Detroit Rises!

**WPitonya** · September-18-15, 10:27 AM

Those tracks are to hold scaffolding; they are not cheap, so this means work is officially starting!! The scaffolds over 1515 are suspended scaffolds because you cannot install the track type onto their roof. This is great news!

**Zads07** · September-22-15, 03:42 PM

An update on the Wurlitzer Building from Crain's:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...oom-hotel-with

Quotes from the story:

"It plans 106 rooms in the Wurlitzer, its website says, along with a restaurant, café, first-floor retail and a rooftop bar it says will allow visitors to see into Comerica Park."

"Construction on the building at 1509 Broadway St. has started and should be finished by the winter of 2017, the state said."

**Gistok** · September-22-15, 03:47 PM

If you don't see the entire article when using the link to the Crain's article above... just Google "Detroit Crain's State loan to help Wurlitzer".... and you should get a link to view the entire article....

**Gistok** · September-22-15, 04:08 PM

A pity someone can't get the owner of the Park Ave. Building on the NE corner of Park Ave. and W. Adams, to sell it to developers, who could redevelop it possibly with similar financing. That building needs to be saved!