 |
 |
|
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
| Mar 28, 2012
Tsoi/Kobis & Associates developing master plan for UT Southwestern Medical Center
Firm will spearhead strategies for transforming existing in-patient hospital into state-of-the-art ambulatory care facility.
| Mar 26, 2012
Jones Lang LaSalle completes construction of $536M Parkview Regional Medical Center
Hospital ushers in new era of local access to advanced medical treatments in Northeast Indiana.
| Mar 21, 2012
Iowa’s Mercy Medical Center’s new Emergency Department constructed using Lean design
New Emergency Department features a "racetrack" design with a central nurses' station encircled by 19 private patient examination rooms and 2 trauma treatment rooms.
| Mar 19, 2012
HKS Selected for Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie
Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachiewill incorporate advanced technology including telemedicine, digital imaging, remote patient monitoring, electronic medical records and computer patient records.
| Mar 1, 2012
7 keys to ‘Highest value, lowest cost’ for healthcare construction
The healthcare design and construction picture has been muddied by uncertainty over the new healthcare law. Hospital systems are in a bind, not knowing what levels of reimbursement to expect. Building Teams serving this sector will have to work even harder to meet growing client demands.
| Feb 29, 2012
Construction begins on Keller Army Community Hospital addition
The 51,000 square foot addition will become the home for optometry, ophthalmology, physical therapy, and orthopedics clinics, as well as provide TRICARE office space.
| Feb 28, 2012
More than 1,000 have earned EDAC certification since 2009
Milestone achieved as evidence-based design becomes a top 2012 strategy for healthcare organizations.
| Feb 28, 2012
McCarthy completes second phase of San Diego’s Scripps Hospital
Representing the second phase of a four-phased, $41.3 million expansion and remodeling project, the new addition doubles the size of the existing emergency department and trauma center to encompass a combined 27,000 square feet of space.
| Feb 27, 2012
Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital building receives LEED Gold
Innovative and sustainable design reflects best environmental building practices.
| Feb 22, 2012
CISCO recognizes Gilbane for quality construction, design, and safety
The project employed more than 2,000 tradespeople for a total of 2.1 million hours worked – all without a single lost-time accident.
