 |
 |
|
Before and after images of the grand ballroom show the extent of the damage and the craftmanship that went into re-creating the hotel. |
“From eyesore to icon.”
That's how Reconstruction Awards judge K. Nam Shiu so concisely described the restoration effort that turned the decimated Book Cadillac Hotel into a modern hotel and condo development.
The tallest hotel in the world when it opened in 1924, the 32-story Renaissance Revival structure was revered as a jewel in the then-bustling Motor City. In its heyday, the Book Cadillac hosted five different presidents, show-business celebrities, and sports legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
But just 60 years after its grand opening, owners of the hotel were forced to close its doors as Detroit's once-booming economy sank into deep decline. The structure would sit vacant for another 22 years, exposed to the harsh weather, vandals, and fires. In some areas the decay even reached the building's skeletal structure. Interior finishes were completely lost, lying in heaps on the floors.
After several failed attempts by private developers to revive the building, The Ferchill Group, a Cleveland-based developer, finally came up with a winning formula: a partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts involving 22 public and private revenue sources.
The 27-month effort restored the building into the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel & Condominiums—455 hotel rooms and 67 condo units. The $176 million project included complete demolition and reconstruction of the top four floors; installation of more than 2,000 replicated windows; rebuilding two elaborate ballrooms on the fourth floor; repair of the terra cotta façade; and construction of a three-story addition housing a pool/spa, fitness center, and restaurant. It was essentially a 771,800-sf gut job.
Given the sheer scale of the project and the enormity of the damage, it took the Building Team more than a year just to assess the existing structure and develop schemes for demolition and rebuilding. An unmanned robot was used to safely perform the dangerous demolition tasks, and Bobcats and skid steers were hoisted to upper floors for selective interior demolition.
“The team faced a huge challenge on this project because the building was in such poor shape,” said Reconstruction Awards judge Martha Bell, AIA, LEED AP, principal with Tilton, Kelly+Bell, Chicago. “The project was nicely done.” —Dave Barista, Managing Editor
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 29, 2017
Top 125 healthcare architecture firms
HDR, HKS, and Perkins+Will top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest healthcare sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 24, 2017
7 design elements for creating timeless pediatric health environments
A recently published report by Shepley Bulfinch presents pediatric healthcare environments as “incubators for hospital design innovation.”
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 23, 2017
The future of healthcare architecture: obstacles and opportunities abound
Our current political drama has made our healthcare clients view the future of their business environment in much the same way most of us approach the latest weather report, with skepticism, writes David H. Watkins, FAIA.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Health-generating buildings, Marcene Kinney, Angela Mazzi, GBBN Architects
Architects Marcene Kinney and Angela Mazzi share design hacks pinpointing specific aspects of the built environment that affect behavior, well-being, and performance.
Healthcare Facilities | May 16, 2017
University of Pennsylvania’s new $1.5 billion hospital is being built with the future in mind
The Pavilion broke ground on May 3.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 13, 2016
How healthcare systems can reduce financial risk with developer-owned hospitals
When entering a new market, the financial risk can be magnified to the point that the investment – although critical to a system’s future – becomes unpalatable to a governing board.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
Mobile emergency room arrives just in time for Alabama hospital
The MED-1 Mobile Hospital Unit serves as a lower-cost solution during construction of new ED.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
Virtual care facility serves remote patients, may reduce readmissions
Mercy’s new high-tech medical center equips its medical professionals to deliver care at the bedside of patients anywhere.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
11 great solutions for the commercial construction market
A roll-up emergency department, next-gen telemedicine center, and biophilic cooling pods are among the AEC industry’s clever ideas and novel innovations for 2016.
Big Data | May 27, 2016
Analytics alone won't save money for healthcare facility owners
Advanced technology provides insight into the actions necessary to cut costs, but it's the people, processes, and implementation that make a difference with analytics, writes CBRE's Paul Oswald.
