Lovers of Detroit architecture, mark Thursday on your calendars. That's the day when members of Whitney Partners LLC, accompanied by Gov. Rick Snyder, will kick off the reconstruction of the city's historic David Whitney building.
The structure, completed in 1915, was designed by architect Daniel Burnham, who helped build Chicago's Montauk Building, one of the world's earliest skyscrapers.
Plans for the Whitney's redevelopment include a hotel, apartments, banquet and fitness facilities, a first-level retail section and a renovated People Mover station. The buildings owners also intend to establish a restaurant on the corner of Woodward Ave. and Park Ave. Further details will be announced on Thursday.
The state of Michigan is helping fund the project with a $1 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant and a $7.5 million performance-based loan, according to Crain's Detroit Business.
Whitney Partners is a partnership between the Roxbury Group and Trans Inn Management. Roxbury is also anticipated to begin work soon on Detroit's Globe Trading building, located on the city's riverfront, the Detroit Free Press reports. The Fort Shelby and Book Cadillac hotels and the former Madison Theatre, now known as the "M@dison building," are among some of the other downtown Detroit landmarks to be renovated in recent years.
The Whitney's construction kick-off event begins at 9 a.m. at 1553 Woodward Avenue.
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