In a bold blend of past and present, the David Whitney Building in Detroit has stepped into a new era following a hefty $20 million renovation. The iconic structure, now christened the Hotel David Whitney, has joined the ranks of Marriott's Autograph Collection hotels, a mark of luxury that heralds its elevated status. This upgrade includes a suite of new amenities, a refreshed design across all rooms and communal spaces, bringing a revived sense of grandeur to the 1915 landmark. According to Crain's Detroit, a grand opening is on the books for April 4 to showcase the building's latest facelift.
David Di Rita and Stacy Fox, principals of Detroit-based The Roxbury Group, took a calculated risk in executing this grand transformation. "We’re looking at this as an opportunity to finish what we started a decade ago," Di Rita told the Detroit Free Press. He emphasized that the prior Aloft hotel iteration was successful, yet, the duo aspired to fully realize the building's potential. Opting for extensive renovations over minor tweaks, their decision highlights a commitment to remolding the David Whitney as a hallmark of hospitality in Detroit.
The Project expanded the hotel to 160 rooms by converting two floors of apartments into hotel suites, signaling a trend for more upscale, longer-stay accommodations. As reported by the Detroit News, this upscale pivot complements an emerging pattern, as Detroit sees a surge in boutique hotel openings post-pandemic, with several under construction set to cater to the higher end traveler who previously might have stayed outside the city.
In addition to increased accommodations, the Hotel David Whitney now boasts a variety of dining options and leisure spaces. Di Rita stressed the importance of offering amenities that cater to guests' needs and enhance the overall experience of staying downtown. He mentioned, "Detroit is one of the major destinations in the Midwest given our kind of incomparable sports entertainment complex and our now world-class convention center." Focusing on enriching the guest experience, the transformation intertwines modern luxury with a nod to the past, as the new Capper & Capper Market replaces a historic men’s clothing store once housed within its walls.
Detroit's hospitality landscape is ostensibly on the rise, as the city braces for an influx of visitors with the upcoming NFL Draft. The hotel's strategic renovations appear timely, as more than 300,000 people are expected to swarm downtown.
