The Fort Shelby Hotel took its place in history in 1917 and a 22-story expansion was completed in 1927, making it one of Detroit’s premier hotels. Market conditions and financial instability forced the hotel to close its doors in 1973. Registered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the building stood vacant for 34 years until a developer set forth to revitalize the Fort Shelby legacy.
L.S. Brinker served as the design/build contractor to renovate 204 guest suites and convert the tower’s top eleven floors into 56 multi-family residential apartments. Additional features include ground floor retail, a business center, fitness center and restaurants.
Construction was completed on a fast-track, twelve-month schedule which included extensive asbestos abatement, masonry work, replacement of over 1,200 windows, and restoration of the lobby’s marble flooring. Our team took painstaking steps to restore the grand ballroom to its original state with the use of high-end finishes and ornate moldings. Totaling 24,000 sq. ft., the room transforms into a meeting and conference space that was certified in 2009 by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).
L.S. Brinker served as the design/build contractor to renovate 204 guest suites and convert the tower’s top eleven floors into 56 multi-family residential apartments. Additional features include ground floor retail, a business center, fitness center and restaurants."
A major challenge with this historic preservation was the high level of unknowns regarding the pre-existing conditions of the building. Located on a tight urban site, the team overcame logistical challenges for material delivery and construction traffic without interrupting nearby businesses. Another challenge was timing. Given the magnitude of the restoration and its intricate design, our team worked effectively to ensure delivery of long lead items and coordinate the work of multiple trades to ensure project completion for the grand opening celebration planned months in advance.