Deal reached for Huntington Place renovations, new hotel

**Airforceguy** · January-31-23, 06:22 PM

This is a HUGE deal for the city! A 600-800 room hotel will definitely help Huntington Place land more conventions.
Deal reached for Huntington Place renovations, new hotel

The five-member board of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority voted unanimously Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Sterling Group that paves the way for the redevelopment project along the Detroit River, said Claude Molinari, board chairman and president and CEO of Visit Detroit.

"We had a [[memorandum of understanding) in place, and today we memorialized that by turning it into an official agreement," Molinari told Crain's. "Now we're going to move forward with the development stages of outlining plans together so that we can improve the convention center's west side."

Molinari said the legally-binding agreement solidifies previously floated plans for the convention authority to extend Second Street to the Detroit River and for Sterling Group to build a hotel of 600-800 rooms connected to Huntington Place."It's a bit of a trade of land because a certain part of the Joe Louis Arena site is needed to expand the convention center, and part of the convention center site is needed for the Joe Louis Arena site to be appropriately used," Molinari said.

Crain's requested a copy of the deal terms between the convention authority and the developer. Sterling Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Molinari said he is hopeful the agreement is a step toward more redevelopment at Huntington Place, including a new 30,000-square-foot ballroom in the southwest corner of the venue, which would take over storage and meeting space and require expansion. Additional parking is also envisioned.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...FDFB2E0F233273

**hybridy** · January-31-23, 06:48 PM

RIP Ren Cen Marriott and panty liner canopy Pontch hotel. Neither will be missed.

**stinkytofu** · January-31-23, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

RIP Ren Cen Marriott and panty liner canopy Pontch hotel. Neither will be missed.

Huh? There have been recent rumblings that the Pontch is thinking about building their second tower again. Downtown needs more hotel rooms, not less.

600-800 rooms is a lot, that's going to be a legit project.

**Satiricalivory** · February-01-23, 01:30 AM

Ren Cen Marriott isn't going anywhere...

**mikeg19** · February-01-23, 11:04 AM

I'm not great at math, but if say MGM Grand is 17 stories at 400 rooms, probably a similar footprint in area based on Google maps, you would guess a 600-800 room hotel would conservatively be about 25-30 stories? That would be a major addition to the skyline there along with the 25 story residential right next to it.

**southen** · February-01-23, 11:31 AM

Fingers crossed there is an emphasis on design since it is along the riverfront and will be a large addition to the skyline. Too often convention hotels are bland, grey boxes with a brand name adorned atop.

**ShadowSoarer** · February-01-23, 02:17 PM

Just out of curiosity has there ever been an event at the Cobo/TCF Center/Huntington Place that has utilize the entire facility including all the upper floors where all the conference rooms are? I don’t think that even the Detroit Auto Show utilizes those upper conference rooms, mainly the exhibition hall.

I think the Suburban Collection might have like 10 conference rooms max on the 2nd floor compared to the Huntington place that has multiple floors of conference rooms that spans almost the entirety of the exhibition halls.

Just wondering how much space will Huntington Place need if they ever decide to expand further.

**401don** · February-02-23, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ShadowSoarer

Just out of curiosity has there ever been an event at the Cobo/TCF Center/Huntington Place that has utilize the entire facility including all the upper floors where all the conference rooms are? I don’t think that even the Detroit Auto Show utilizes those upper conference rooms, mainly the exhibition hall.

I think the Suburban Collection might have like 10 conference rooms max on the 2nd floor compared to the Huntington place that has multiple floors of conference rooms that spans almost the entirety of the exhibition halls.

Just wondering how much space will Huntington Place need if they ever decide to expand further.

Usually when all rooms are being utilized at a conv. ctr. it's because there are 2-3 events going on at the same time.