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Detroit,
MI – May 2022 / Newsmaker Alert: Detroit-based real estate development
company, The Roxbury Group,
in collaboration with TreeFort Hospitality, announces a major renovation
to downtown Detroit’s historic David
Whitney Building and will rebrand its hotel as an Autograph Collection
hotel upon completion. The renovations will include an expansion of the
hotel as well as new food and beverage venues.
The
centerpiece of the project, a new Autograph Collection hotel, will be undertaken
in phases over the next 12 to 14 months and will involve the complete renovation
of all 136 guest rooms, and the addition of two more hotel floors for a
total of 160 guest rooms and suites. Additionally, 24 of the David Whitney’s
current apartments are expected to be converted to one and two-bedroom
hotel suites, leaving 80 residences on the upper seven floors. Roxbury
Group’s plans also call for substantial upgrades to the hotel’s lobby bar,
atrium lounge, and outdoor seating. In addition, plans include a restaurant
in the current Capper & Capper event space at the corner of Woodward
and Park Avenues. The Roxbury Group is in discussions with a number of
potential operators for the restaurant and expect to announce more specific
plans by the end of summer.
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“In
working with Marriott International and our management team at Azul
Hospitality, we concluded that downtown Detroit was ready for the level
of service and experience that an Autograph Collection hotel would bring
– and of course there is simply no better place for that to happen than
the David Whitney,” said Stacy
Fox, Principal, The Roxbury Group.
Autograph
Collection Hotels advocate for the original – championing the individuality
of each of its over 250 independent hotels located in the most desirable
destinations across 43 countries and territories. Hand-selected for their
inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph
Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting
imprint. The David Whitney will be the first Autograph Collection property
in downtown Detroit.
The
David Whitney, designed by famed Chicago architecture firm D.H. Burnham
and Company, originally opened as a medical office and retail building
in 1915. Following a decline in the fortunes of the Grand Circus Park Historic
District, the building closed in the late 1990’s. A partnership led by
The Roxbury Group acquired the property in 2011, and after a $94-million
restoration, the David Whitney Building reopened with great fanfare in
2014 as a mixed-used property, marking a major milestone in the decades-long
rebirth of Detroit’s theatre district.
Work
is expected to commence later this summer and is targeted to be completed
by late 2023. The Roxbury Group is working with Detroit-based Patrick Thompson
Design and Infuz Architects on the design for the hotel, as well as with
Gensler on brand-identity and O’Brien Construction Company on construction
management. The hotel will continue to be managed by San Diego-based Azul
Hospitality, which also manages the Element Detroit at the Metropolitan
and the Monarch Club for the Roxbury Group.
About
Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph
Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality
of each of its over 250 independent hotels located in the most desirable
destinations across 43 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product
of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual
and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent
craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection
properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For
more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com,
and explore on social via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to be inspired
by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection
is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program
from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary
portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments
and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.
To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About
The Roxbury Group
The
Roxbury Group is a real estate development and investment firm founded
in 2005. The firm specializes in complex real estate and economic development
projects. Since its founding, the Roxbury Group has developed $300 million
in projects with $150 million of projects in the pipeline. In addition
to the David Whitney and the Element Detroit at the Metropolitan Building,
Roxbury’s hospitality work includes the AC Detroit at the Bonstelle in
midtown Detroit which is targeted to break ground later this year, and
a planned 150 key hotel at Ann Arbor’s Broadway Park West development.
Roxbury’s TreeFort Hospitality arm has been responsible for several notable
food and beverage venues including the Buhl Bar, the Monarch Club, the
Hammer & Nail and the Cadillac House Inn and Tavern in Lexington, Michigan.
TreeFort is currently developing a second bar venue for the Metropolitan
that will open later this year.
Media
Contact:
Craig
Fahle
313-307-6658
VVK
PR + Creative
About
Azul Hospitality Group
Azul
Hospitality Group (Azul), a preferred management company for the AC
Hotels by Marriott brand, has a robust infrastructure of industry professionals
with extensive experience in all aspects of hotel operations and development
services. The company’s primary focus is on upscale hotels and resorts,
with unique destination and product attributes. Other recent Marriott-branded
projects with Azul management include Moxy San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter;
AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Biltmore; The Westin Carlsbad Resort &
Spa; Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa; The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a
Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge;
and Element Detroit at the Metropolitan. For additional information, go
to www.azulhg.com. |
