  French777 Member Username: French777 Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2006 |
any more info? I did do research and just found a video from X-mas about the hotel on DETNEWS | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 979 Registered: 06-2006 |
did the video say it was going to be a Double Tree or Hilton? | ||
French777 Member Username: French777 Post Number: 151 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well it seemed like both here is the link http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/B IZ/612210358/1001 | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 964 Registered: 02-2007 |
DoubleTree the Thejesus, but still apart of the Hilton family. | ||
Ewo Member Username: Ewo Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2006 |
How much activity is going on there? | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 449 Registered: 03-2006 |
Nothing is going on their at the moment. | ||
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch Post Number: 2258 Registered: 06-2004 |
quote: Ironically, that sentence means the exact opposite from what you intended. You see "a part" would mean "belonging to". While "apart" means "separate". | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 317 Registered: 02-2006 |
^^^too funny 313 | ||
99gprix Member Username: 99gprix Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2007 |
Grammar patrol  LOL  | ||
Spitty Member Username: Spitty Post Number: 564 Registered: 07-2004 |
A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and proceeds to fire it at the other patrons. “Why?” asks the confused, surviving waiter amidst the carnage, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. “Well, I'm a panda,” he says at the door. “Look it up.” The waiter turns to the relevant entry in the manual and, sure enough, finds an explanation. “Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.” If you don't get the joke, you may need to go to this site and read up about commas. http://eatsshootsandleaves.com / | ||
Wpitonya Member Username: Wpitonya Post Number: 40 Registered: 08-2005 |
I give carriage tours in Charleston, SC and I gave a tour to the president of Doubletree Hotels last week. He said they were very excited about the project in downtown Detroit. I urged him that even though the name would be long, to keep some of the original name in the new one. He assured me that even if they don't, they will keep many of the old plaques and such with the Pick Fort-Shelby name on them. | ||
6nois Member Username: 6nois Post Number: 172 Registered: 11-2006 |
I am very impressed with Doubletree, they have one in Bay City, and they are really a great chain. Yay for Pick Fort-Shelby and yay for Detroit. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 841 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Doubletree Pick Fort-Shelby Hilton" it is! | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 991 Registered: 02-2007 |
Well you got the idea (Dabirch). I should of said "a member" instead of "a part". Downtown Detroit already has a Hilton (Garden Inn). What do we need wih another? It's "DoubleTree Pick Fort-Shelby". | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 431 Registered: 11-2003 |
Pick was a brand (Albert Pick Hotels). I think the Doubletree Shelby or Doubletree Fort-Shelby Hotel would be sweet. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 995 Registered: 02-2007 |
Like the Ponch and Book, they'll likely at least keep the Fort-Shelby in the name (just as a sub-brand or something) something like Marriot Renaissance. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 419 Registered: 11-2006 |
please stop posting so often. it hurts. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1008 Registered: 02-2007 |
^^^^Now that remark is irritating. I gave you guys a week's break and you're still ungrateful. SHEESH! | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 420 Registered: 11-2006 |
hehehe Nearly every topic on the board had the last post by Urbanize. I had to change it up a bit | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1009 Registered: 02-2007 |
That's because chooses to respond. Not my fault. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 852 Registered: 10-2006 |
Urbanize, I think that there are five Marriot hotels within one square mile of each other in Livonia near six mile and 275. It isn't uncommon for different hotel brands within the same chain to be close together, let alone in a downtown. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1013 Registered: 02-2007 |
Chances are however, They have different Sub-Brands. Technically, there are two Marriot hotels downtown (Courtyard Marriot). That's what I was trying to say. Also, I was just pointing out that Fort-Shelby will have nothing to do with being branded Hilton, but the cousin brand of Hilton. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 884 Registered: 10-2003 |
If it ever gets done, they will keep Fort or Shelby if and only if they deem it advantageous to attract business and build their own brand. Doubletree is to Hilton like Chevrolet is to GM (well more like Buick is to GM). It is captive and it is just a name. The strategy of placing multiple brands of the same chain next to each other is rather common although I don't know the marketing reasoning for it. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a Hilton as close as ....the old Hilton on Grand Circus Park and Washington Boulevard. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2010 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wpit - thanks for the info - it is amazing what you can learn while giving tours and engaging people! | ||
Restoretheroar Member Username: Restoretheroar Post Number: 722 Registered: 07-2004 |
urbanize- how in the hell do you get over 1000 posts in 2 months? dude, get some fresh air. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1032 Registered: 02-2007 |
"urbanize- how in the hell do you get over 1000 posts in 2 months? dude, get some fresh air." A lot of them were double posts. | ||
Peter Member Username: Peter Post Number: 52 Registered: 02-2007 |
Didn't Double Tree recently open a new hotel in Dearborn as well? I think it can be seen off of I-94. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2014 Registered: 11-2003 |
I hope we have customers for all these new casino, BC, Doubletree, refurbished Ponch, etc hotels - where are they coming from??? | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1036 Registered: 02-2007 |
"I hope we have customers for all these new casino, BC, Doubletree, refurbished Ponch, etc hotels - where are they coming from???" Good question. I guess there doing what is called "early investment" to beat whatever rush or boom will come along in the future for the Detroit area. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 798 Registered: 11-2004 |
Convention hotel booking up 36% from 2005 http://modeldmedia.com/develop mentnews/dmcvb9007.aspx | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 241 Registered: 05-2006 |
quote: Actually, Doubletree recently opened a hotel in Detroit. They took over the Holiday Inn-Fairlane on the northwest corner of Ford Road and the Southfield Expressway. The Doubletree (as did the Holiday Inn before it) tries to make people believe their hotel is in Dearborn despite the fact it is really located in Detroit. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4222 Registered: 08-2004 |
Ah yes, I do remember LY mentioning that it had a Dearborn postal address, even though it was in Detroit. That was from the thread I started a few months ago questioning whether a lot of areas around the metro area did that (your mail address shows one town, even though you actually live in another). | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2245 Registered: 10-2003 |
Fort-Shelby restoration nearly a go: $82 million hotel conversion to be set this week, officials say "The multimillion dollar deal to convert the former Pick Fort-Shelby Hotel downtown into a Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, meeting center and upscale apartments is expected to be sealed this week, according to the developers and Detroit Economic Growth Corp. officials. Today, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., a quasi-public agency that promotes development, is expected to sign off on the project's conservation easement, said Brian Holdwick, vice president of business development for the agency. That easement essentially ensures the building will look as much like its historic design as possible, he said. Later in the week, possibly as early as Wednesday, developers and the various financiers officially will close the $82 million deal, said Leo Phillips, one of four developers behind the project. Phillips said the project involves federal Housing and Urban Development funds and a variety of state and city tax credits, but no direct city or state funding. ..." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070430/B IZ/704300304 | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 468 Registered: 03-2006 |
Thanks Kathleen. "City officials including Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick are considering holding a ceremony next week at the West Lafayette building, between First and Second streets, to celebrate the revival of another downtown historic building" - Detnews These ceremonies are bad luck, I hope he waits until it opens. | ||
Innercitydoc Member Username: Innercitydoc Post Number: 33 Registered: 09-2006 |
Well at least he's waiting until the deal closes this time unlike the book-cadillac and MCS. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1059 Registered: 06-2006 |
I'm having a hard time getting excited about this one...I know it's a Khan design, but the building's architecture is rather bland and the red/white color scheme just doesn't to it for me...not to mention the building's less-than-ideal location... I'm glad another vacant building is being fixed up but I just don't seen people lining up for a chance to move into this one like the BC... | ||
Llyn Member Username: Llyn Post Number: 1822 Registered: 06-2004 |
I kinda feel the same way, although I don't think the location is so bad. I'm still excited at seeing another building restored, though! That building is a real eysore at it's location, and you can see if from a lot of angles on that side of downtown. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 243 Registered: 05-2006 |
Now, if we could just get someone to move into the Free Press building..... | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1060 Registered: 06-2006 |
I just mean it's proximity to area attractions, like campus martius, the stadiums, casinos, riverfront, etc...I realize that many of these are reasonable walking distance, but it's not exactly a pleasant walk, and it's further away than some of the other recent projects that have had success... that said, if there turns out to be decent interest for these apartments, it only increases the chances that the Lafayette building gets renovated | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 1359 Registered: 12-2004 |
I really like the Fort Shelby's style and color. Its a welcome change. Regardless, it will be nice to have one less abandoned skyscraper! | ||
Llyn Member Username: Llyn Post Number: 1825 Registered: 06-2004 |
Yeah, I got to looking at some pix, and it looks more interesting than I remember... be interesting to see how a renovation cleans it up. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 877 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well Thejesus, Llyn, and others, no rehab project now is going to be nearly as exciting as the Book Cadillac. Every other project is going to seem like a distant second, even though we all know that they are all just about as important to have a more revived entire downtown. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 430 Registered: 11-2006 |
I really like the style of the Pick-Fort Shelby. I'm rather surprised that there are some who really dont like it. Anyway, great news. I had begun to worry about whether this project would continue on or not | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5442 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm glad when any of these historic giants are renovated rather than torn down. I wasn't a big fan of the Statler, but I missed it when it went just the same as any. I really like the original 10-story Fort Shelby. You can tell that they did the tower portion on the cheap for that time, slightly similar to the chain hotels of today recycling designs. The Statler hotels across the country were the same way. I like this redevelopment project, in particular, because it's pushing downtown development to the west of Woodward, which is pretty much the last frontier of downtown redevelopment. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 802 Registered: 11-2004 |
I wouldn't say it's done cheaply. It just reflects the hotel's place in the market the Fort Shelby was a mid-tier hotel so, of course, it's not going to be as grand as the the Book or Statler. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5443 Registered: 10-2003 |
I meant cheap in comparison. It wasn't and isn't in the same league as the other grand hotels, and it shows, but that doesn't make its renovation any less important for that area of downtown. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 804 Registered: 11-2004 |
Maybe I missed it,but when is construction supposed to start? | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1076 Registered: 02-2007 |
Technically, construction overall started in June of 2006. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5452 Registered: 10-2003 |
No, construction/renovation preparation work has taken place. They can't start construction without the financing that has finally fallen into place. | ||
Swede1934 Member Username: Swede1934 Post Number: 13 Registered: 04-2007 |
I'm glad to see another part of history, for me, is coming back to life. From 1946-1948 I was a member of the choir at St. Paul's (Episcopal) Cathedral. Each Christmas we would have a concert in the main lobby at the Fort Shelby, which also was broadcast over WJR. I recently contacted WJR to see if any recordings of those concerts existed, and was sad to find out that they had all been destroyed. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9110 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20070509/NEWS01/ 70509052 Fort Shelby to see new life as Doubletree May 9, 2007 BY JOHN GALLAGHER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Developers announced Wednesday that they've closed on the financial package to remake the vacant Fort Shelby Hotel in downtown Detroit as a Hilton Doubletree Hotel. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1146 Registered: 06-2006 |
"Construction is scheduled to begin in the next 30 days..." wow...I hope so..as likely as it seems now, still, I must say, I will believe it when I see it | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9113 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: I think that is a common way to view it given history. The good thing is that given some more recent successes the skepticism may start to fade over the years. I still remain skeptical until the work starts as well. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2460 Registered: 10-2003 |
AWESOME! | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 1149 Registered: 06-2006 |
from a PR standpoint, it would almost be better if they'd just announce, "work to start within 6 months", so if and when the shovels get into the ground in 30 days, everyone (the city, the residents, etc.) are pleasantly surprised lie to me, developers...lie to me :D | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9114 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think that KK and the developers have learned that a little. The grand announcements have faded and the development mentioned is often tempered a little. | ||
Tiorted Member Username: Tiorted Post Number: 94 Registered: 02-2006 |
from DetNews December 21, 2006: quote: from Freep May 9, 2007 quote: Sounds like a game of musical developers. Looks like smoke and mirrors to me. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2115 Registered: 11-2003 |
Great news, it is nice to see some new life on that side of Downtown! | ||
Dnvn522 Member Username: Dnvn522 Post Number: 246 Registered: 11-2004 |
Cost keeps going up too! | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2461 Registered: 10-2003 |
That's an awfully ambitious construction schedule for a budget that large--especially in a historically-sensitive renovation. | ||
Izzadore Member Username: Izzadore Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2006 |
Early 2009 is fast indeed. This is great news though. That roof has a high tree to chimney quotient. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 897 Registered: 10-2003 |
The UnGreening of Detroit? | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 814 Registered: 11-2004 |
quote: Model D July 25, 2006 I think you're looking for problem where none exist MCP Development LLC is redeveloping the Fort Shelby into a 204-room Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel with a 38,000-square-foot conference center. It will also feature a 1,200-square-foot retail space and 63 residential units. The project is expected to create 374 full-time jobs and be finished by late 2007. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2120 Registered: 11-2003 |
What's with all the doubt?? | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 815 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's just the history of projects in Detroit, they said last December they had all their financing and work would start in month. So a little skepticism is warranted. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 991 Registered: 10-2006 |
Model D, July 25, 2006: "The project is expected to...be finished by late 2007." That's why people doubt the new current deadline. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 503 Registered: 03-2006 |
Great news for Detroit and that side of Downtown. Of course we all need to keep our fingers crossed. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2125 Registered: 11-2003 |
Gotcha, missed all the other announcements | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 718 Registered: 11-2005 |
I'm curious to know where they're going to have parking for this project? Build a garage on the lot next to the Free Press and News (on Lafayette and 2nd)? Or, one can hope, they'll tear down that god awful Comerica building where people used to park for the Fort-Shelby. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1191 Registered: 02-2007 |
They can build a garage on the Surface lot Surrounded by Lafayette, 3rd, Lodge Fwy, and Howard. Somehow, they can maybe get a diagnol running Skywalk Connecting the Garage and Hotel. (Message edited by Urbanize on May 10, 2007) (Message edited by Urbanize on May 10, 2007) | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 817 Registered: 11-2004 |
^^^^ Why build a garage two blocks away, connecting it with a skywalk; when more than half block the surrounding the building is parking lots and there's a garage behind it across Fort it could share parking with? I think you need to be introduced to a principle called Ockham's Razor which states that,``entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' basically it means the simplest solution is usually the best. quote: If they intended to build a garage I'm thinking that they would've mentioned it in the annoucement. (Message edited by eric on May 10, 2007) | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1196 Registered: 02-2007 |
Sheesh Eric, you have a horrible temper. I got confused with another building on Fort and 2nd. I see the building now. I say build a garage next to the Citgo on Fort or better at diagnially across at Lafayette and First. No sense on sharing a garage in use for a hotel that will have about 1,000 or more people in it. (Message edited by Urbanize on May 10, 2007) | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 719 Registered: 11-2005 |
They can build a garage on the Surface lot Surrounded by Lafayette, 3rd, Lodge Fwy, and Howard. Somehow, they can maybe get a diagnol running Skywalk Connecting the Garage and Hotel. That lot is owned by the Free Press and News. If they intended to build a garage I'm thinking that they would've mentioned it in the annoucement. Oh, there'll be a garage. No hotel with that kind of price tag is done if there's nowhere to park. Street parking ain't an option. My bet is they buy out the lot on Lafayette and 2nd, across from WDIV and the Freep. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 724 Registered: 11-2005 |
Update: Apparently, the plan is for the hotel to be valet-only. No plans for a garage. This strikes me as a fatal mistake that could spell doom to this project. | ||
Pffft Member Username: Pffft Post Number: 1276 Registered: 12-2003 |
The lot that is directly next to the Fort Shelby does not belong to the News and Freep. Only the fenced lot at Fort & Second does. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5497 Registered: 10-2003 |
Rhymes, Source? | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 476 Registered: 11-2006 |
There are enough nearby structures for valet parking for the hotel, however, what about the 63 apartments?? The surface lots surrounding? I am actually happily surprised that a parking structure wasnt MANDATED to secure funding....baby steps | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 726 Registered: 11-2005 |
The lot that is directly next to the Fort Shelby does not belong to the News and Freep. Only the fenced lot at Fort & Second does. I know that. He said the lot at Lafayette between the Lodge and 3rd. The DNP also owns the lot on Fort between 3rd and the Lodge and the one on Fort between 2nd and 1st. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 819 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's nice to see a project downtown that doesn't have to build a garage. Will the lot next to the Ft Shelby be able to hold enough cars for the residents? quote: Why would this doom the project? (Message edited by eric on May 11, 2007) | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 249 Registered: 05-2006 |
I, for one, if given a choice, would not stay at a hotel with valet-only parking. It’s too time-consuming, I don’t trust valets and I like to know just where my car is parked. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2125 Registered: 06-2004 |
What's going to happen with the temp MGM once they move? And the building across Third from MGM's garage is getting worked on, too. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 477 Registered: 11-2006 |
no plans as of now for the temp MGM | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 737 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=2007705150365 Why would this doom the project? What ramcharger said and plus, street parking in Detroit isn't uber-safe PLUS there's going to be residential space in the FS. Now, if I'm living in a place like that, I'd like to have a secure and dedicated place to park. Hell, I'd want a secure and dedicated place to park if the building were in BFE, like Franklin or Romeo. Now, many cities in the U.S. have apartments where you're on your own to find parking wherever you can get it. Those cities aren't Detroit. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 5513 Registered: 10-2003 |
What do you mean by your last two sentences? I'm not sure I get it. | ||
Emu_steve Member Username: Emu_steve Post Number: 303 Registered: 11-2006 |
Quote from Freep: "In 1980, there were plans to reopen 350 of the rooms for the Republican National Convention, but owners were unable to secure a large-enough grant." What was a failure almost 30 years ago will become a success this decade. This certainly would be cause of optimism as is the B-C. Two high profile projects which were doomed decades ago are now on their way to becoming successes. that 'speaks volumes' for what is happening downtown. | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1034 Registered: 12-2006 |
There are construction lights now on inside the building. There is also a large fence around the perimeter of the building and the adjoining lot. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 830 Registered: 11-2004 |
Great to see they're moving quickly to start construction, they might actually make that early 2009 open date | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1042 Registered: 12-2006 |
I forgot to mention. There was a flatbed truck outside there with something covered by a tarp. I don't know what it was, but I bet it has something to do with the project. | ||
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle Post Number: 84 Registered: 10-2006 |
Im sure theyll also need to be shipping in a buck hoist like they have at the BC. Perhaps thats whats on the flatbed. | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 1043 Registered: 12-2006 |
It might have been the box part. But it seemed kind of small for a person to fit in. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 743 Registered: 11-2005 |
They've erected a concrete barrier on Lafayette around the front and put up fencing in the alley behind it and the parking lot on Fort across from the gas station. Last night, I saw a light on inside! WORK IS UNDER WAY! | ||
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport Post Number: 268 Registered: 11-2005 |
oh my god! a light on inside. | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 744 Registered: 11-2005 |
You laugh, but after sitting empty for 30 years, any iota of progress is a ton of progress. | ||
Ericsprague Member Username: Ericsprague Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2006 |
Rebirth of historic Detroit hotel begins Bulldozer heralds beginning of Pick-Fort Shelby transformation into Doubletree Suites by '08. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070523/B IZ/705230354&theme=Metro-Detro it-Renaissance | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 835 Registered: 11-2004 |
Rebirth of historic Detroit hotel begins Bulldozer heralds beginning of Pick-Fort Shelby transformation into Doubletree Suites by '08. Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News DETROIT -- On Tuesday morning, a bulldozer rumbled through the lobby of the former Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel, whose hybrid name refers to an 18th century fort and a mid-20th century hotel chain. Tuesday began the 21st-century, $82 million effort to bring the historic downtown hotel back from the dead. If things go as planned, a renovated, historically accurate building will emerge in late 2008 that will house a 207-room Doubletree Guest Suites hotel and 63 upscale apartments that may become condominiums, as well as meeting space. The original 10-story building opened in 1917 and was called the Hotel Fort Shelby, named after a British fort -- which had been a French fort -- that once stood near the site. In 1927, a taller 21-story addition was added, designed by the famed Albert Kahn. The hotel's last tenant, a bar, left in 1998. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.d ll/article?AID=/20070523/BIZ/7 05230354&theme=Metro-Detroit-R enaissance | ||
Ericsprague Member Username: Ericsprague Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2006 |
I guess Erics must think alike! | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 836 Registered: 11-2004 |
^^^ lol I guess they do | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 211 Registered: 03-2007 |
Drove pass an waved to construction crews. There is an energy emerging downtown from people that have seen downtown at its worst, and happy to see growth ,,, finally | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 748 Registered: 11-2005 |
Didn't see the bulldozer, but I saw the bobcat in the alley yesterday. I'm wondering why they have that parking lot at Cass and Fort fenced off. Maybe parking is in the deal after all? They wouldn't have needed the ENTIRE parking lot for the Dumpsters. Hmm... | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 213 Registered: 03-2007 |
this is huge. Just imagine valet at both cadillac an pick fort. People will be walking or catchin cabs around downtown like decades before i was born. It is heart warming to see a crack head get back n his feet and join civilization. Jut like Detroit | ||
Downtownguy Member Username: Downtownguy Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2004 |
The developer has short description of this project on their web page. What I like is the photo showing what will presumably be the night view from one of the apartments. http://www.rscrealestate.com/m ixedUse_fort.html I was in training at a firm located in the 333 W. Fort Building in 1980. While studying, I occupied a conference room with a view of the Fort Shelby. I constantly day-dreamed what a great place it would be if it were ever to reopen. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9306 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is that a SB style enhancement getting all of the building lit up? | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 1004 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think all of the building lights in that pic really are on. | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 1141 Registered: 10-2003 |
the picture is indeed shown from the roof of the fort shelby. however, credit to mr. kohrman, who took the shot, is not given. http://www.forgottendetroit.co m/fsh/51.htm | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 523 Registered: 03-2006 |
They plan on landscaping the area with trees from the roof. |
