Book-Cadillac renovation deal nearly complete

[Allan]

There is nothing left inside to preserve. On some of the upper floors they just pushed all the walls and everything into one big pile of debris, but that is about it as far as what's left inside.

The ballroom is now steel beams & concrete. http://www.detroitblog.org/?p=288

[RustTown]

Considering how the buildings was literally set out to rot away, I don't care if the inside resembles the interior as Taipei 101, as long as they can keep the outside, I'll be happy.

[tombarnes]

It could very easily have ended up like the Statler. Something, in this case, is ceratinly better than nothing at all.

[hudkina]

Well let's hope they keep the interior with the period. You know how god-awful the 70's "renovations" looked...

[tombarnes]

It is possible that a few of the interior spaces might be recreated, but more likely that they won't. I also hope something actually happens with the Fort Shelby.

[RustTown]

I would hope so, too, but it seems so far removed, psychologically, that it may take quite a few more years. I remember the proposals a few years back to turn it into residential units that fell through. It seemed far too early to do so, and even know. When you consider all of the places seeing revitalization, this just seems lost at the edge.

[Jin Kim]

Does the developer have a connection to any of the major hotel chains?

Their Web site does show the Hilton Garden in Harmoney Park and what looks equivalent to Holiday Inn Express on Washington. Neither are exactly high-end luxury hotels. Are there any that'd partner up for the Cadillac project?

I've heard the name Westin thrown about before but that was a while back. While Westins aren't the highest end of the hotel business they're part of Starwood hotels and resorts which does have some very high-end properties.

I would welcome any renovation of Cadillac hotel, but obviously I'd prefer it become the luxory hotel in the area again rather than just another mid-range hotel.

[RustTown]

All of that is still uncertain. BTW, the Westin name is the most recent proposal. Back in 2003 it was proposed as a Renaissance Marriott.

[detroitfan]

Westin was mentioned as possible operator in these two articles posted on page 3

http://www.detnews.com/2005/business/0510/23/D01-357580.htm

http://www.freep.com/money/business/lind22e_20051022.htm

[rbdetsport]

It will be a Westin. I want them to build only 350 hotel rooms and add about 25 more units of condos. These condos will be ultimately the best place to live in the city. What person doesn't want to say, I remember when this massive building was vacant and now I am livng in it. It's just awesome.

[ZachariahDaMan]

That would be awesome living in a place like that that got renovated and was opened back on December 10, 1924!

I thought I'd tell you guys about some pictures of Book-Cadillac from an urban exploration website. Here they are: http://forgottenmichigan.com/gallery/UE/BookCadillac/

[Jonzo]

It's great to finally see things starting back up. Although it'd be wise not to hold your breath!

[rbdetsport]

It's great to finally see things starting back up. Although it'd be wise not to hold your breath!

I know how that goes. You get all excited about something and then it doesn't happen. I am excited about the Book-Cadillac and that it is supposedly supposed to be done in a couple of years, but I still remember how the first developers pulled out with no warning. Although my English Teacher did say to me at the beginning of the semester that he is not going to hold his breath on the Permanent Casinos, but look at it now, there are shovels in the ground and dirt is being moved. Still the project needs to be finished in Detroit before we can say that it will be open in a couple of years (Looking Back at the Subway Project).

[tapezord]

content bump:

Book-Cadillac to reopen in 2008

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

BY JOHN GALLAGER

FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

Detroit’s most famous vacant icon, the Book-Cadillac Hotel, will reopen in early 2008 in an $176-million renovation, Cleveland-based developer John Ferchill announced Wednesday. (...)

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm7096_20051102.htm

[Allan]

The date for the official press release (or so I was told) came and went about a week ago, so it's good to hear that an official announcement has finally been made.

[fieb8138]

Looks like a deal has solidified.

http://www.freep.com/realestate/renews/book3e_20051103.htm

[Ramcharger]

http://www.detnews.com/2005/business/0511/03/C01-370368.htm

"A parking deck to be built east of the structure at Michigan and Shelby is planned as well, Jackson said."

What building is this? It seem that it is to be replaced with a parking structure.

[Allan]

The building at Michigan & Shelby is the Detroit Commerce Building. It says east of the structure at Michigan & Shelby, so it sounds to me like they are building it at the NW corner of Michigan & Griswold, where the old Kinsel drug store was.

[Zissou]

Nice article. Its great to finally have some details regarding this project instead of us just speculating on whats going to happen.

I wonder if it is at all possible for the developers of the Book to get together with the developers of the Lafayette building and build a shared parking structure. I will take one large parking structure over two smaller ones downtown anyday.

[Ramcharger]

Opps, thanks, for pointing that out. I mentally inserted a coma after

[RustTown]

Is this the parking deck in this rendering (far left)? Or is this some old redevelopment plan:

[Allan]

I think that's an old plan. The Free Press article says that they are building a new garage east of the building, and that area is to the north. A new 1000 person ballroom is being built on a lot adjacent to the hotel, so I think that's what's going there.

[Ramcharger]

I

[Allan]

Yeah, didn't I predict that they'd make an announcement on the B-C right before the election? Then a week before the election they make an announcement on the B-C and run a story about the F-S in the Detroit News. Go figure.

I'll be honest...I am a bit concerned that this won't go through. All of the insiders I know are less optimistic than the papers...more of a "it will probably happen" rather than the solid plans the papers have lead us to believe are in place.

[tombarnes]

The article is essentially unhelpful. Realism is one thing...negativism is quite another. Perhaps the Book-Cadillac will be saved only if people believe it can be saved. Positive thinking is essential for Detroit.