You’re going to want to see this. It has taken $92 million and countless hours of effort, but the historic David Whitney Building is back in action after sitting dark since 2000.
Yesterday, the facade was lit and the beauty of the 1915 skyscraper showed through. There’s been a new cornice installed, and we got to peek not just at the outside but the inside of the glorious lobby and two of the establishments downstairs, including the WXYZ bar (and we can’t help but wonder if the ghost of Bill Bonds will frequent it).
It was built in homage to lumber and shipping baron David Whitney Jr., whose former home is now The Whitney restaurant a mile or so down Woodward. Daniel H. Burnham was the architectural firm, which the same as the Chrysler House (formerly Dime Building) in the Financial District. It was designed as a shopping center, and for a long time had many dentists and doctors.
An interesting fact is that the mother of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was born on the spot the David Whitney sits today.
The building is a combined residential and hotel development. There will be 105 apartments and 136 hotel rooms. It will be an Aloft Hotel, which is part of Starwood. They open their doors on December 18 and are accepting reservations for stays on or after January 15, 2015.
So how much would it cost to live at the David Whitney? According to the website, residential units on the top floor run $3,750 a month for a three bedroom with an exterior view and a 569 square foot one bedroom with an atrium view (or interior) view down on the 10th floor runs $1,050.
Below are the pictures. It’s kind of amazing to see it lit up next to its recently restored neighbor, the David Broderick. Keep scrolling, and you’ll see the jaw-dropping interior and a sneak peek of the bar and restaurant inside.
The Davids together – Broderick on the left, Whitney on the right, both recently restored
The David Whitney moments after the facade lights were turned on
The Detroit Aloft hotel entrance
They sweated the small stuff on the details on the Whitney, including replacing the lion heads at the top
The stunning skylight at the top of the four story atrium
Let’s take a look at the stunning interior, shall we?
Intricate details adorn the walls of the atrium
Including a one-of-a-kind clock
A wide look at interior of the David Whitney
The detail on the elevators is exquisite
A quick look at the coffee shop inside the Aloft called Re:fuel
An a look at the WXYZ bar. Of course, nothing beats coming downtown and seeing the David Whitney for yourself. Although it does sound breathless, it is in fact one of Detroit’s architectural gems and it’s exciting for the city to see it come back to life.
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