A developer announced on Wednesday that a high-end hotel and 97 luxury condos would be part of the newly named Hudson’s Detroit project downtown. This adds more clarity to mortgage mogul Dan Gilbert’s vision for the historic site.
Bedrock, the development firm founded by Dan Gilbert, chairman of parent Rocket Companies Inc., revealed that Michigan’s second-tallest skyscraper, situated on the former J.L. Hudson’s department store site, will host an EDITION hotel. Above the hotel, there will be luxury condos. This announcement comes after seven years of work, during which the skyscraper recently reached its final height.
Both the EDITION hotel and the luxury condos will occupy all 45 floors of the tower located at 1208 Woodward Ave. Bedrock confirmed that work is currently underway on both projects; however, they are not expected to be open until 2027.
The unveiling of the hotel and condos marks the latest in a series of announcements regarding the Hudson’s Detroit project in recent weeks. These additions offer insight into Gilbert’s evolving downtown plan, which emphasizes upscale living and contemporary workspaces occupied by renowned companies, including those with deep ties to Detroit and its history.
Earlier this week, General Motors Co. announced its decision to relocate its headquarters from the Renaissance Center on the Detroit River to the office section of the Hudson’s project, situated adjacent to the skyscraper. Additionally, this month marked the formal naming of the massive development as Hudson’s Detroit, with workers recently installing the final steel construction beam on its tower, now reaching a height of 685.4 feet.
The new downtown hotel marks EDITION’s debut in the Midwest, representing the luxury hotel brand’s expansion under Marriott International. With 19 existing locations in sought-after destinations like New York City, Miami Beach, London, and Tokyo, this venture signifies a strategic move into the heart of the region. The hotel will feature multiple restaurants and bars, a pool, an outdoor terrace, a fitness center, spa facilities, and over 16,000 square feet of event space.
Bedrock announced that the hotel, officially named The Detroit EDITION, will be the downtown area’s inaugural five-star accommodation. However, a spokesperson for the developer has yet to provide details on the specific criteria used to classify it as such.
Various companies, including Forbes Travel Guide and Booking.com, offer ratings for hotels, with five-star status typically representing the pinnacle of luxury accommodations. According to Five Star Alliance, such hotels are characterized by personalized services, extensive amenities, and refined accommodations. However, it’s important to note that there’s no standardized rating system across the industry.
The Residences at The Detroit EDITION will feature stunning views of the Detroit River and downtown. These condos will offer one to four bedrooms, with interiors meticulously crafted by the renowned design studio Yabu Pushelberg, based in New York City and Toronto. Bedrock, in a news release, stated that these residences will set a new standard for living in Detroit, providing an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication.
A sales center will soon open by appointment at 1225 Woodward. While the condos’ website currently lacks floorplans or precise pricing details, it does provide general price ranges, starting from $550,000 and ranging up to beyond $3 million. The announcement highlighted features such as 10-foot ceilings and elegant yet understated finishes like monolithic stone slabs and rich wood. Additionally, residents will enjoy access to amenities, including a fitness center, terrace, pool, in-residence dining, and valet parking.
“Hudson’s Detroit is synonymous with excellence, style, and grit, so it’s fitting that it will host legendary and iconic global brands,” Gilbert stated. “EDITION’s enthusiasm to debut in the Detroit market and launch its inaugural property in the Midwest speaks volumes about the allure of our city today. Hudson’s will serve as a magnet, drawing visitors, residents, and businesses, who can all indulge in the amenities, entertainment, retail, hospitality, and dining that Detroit has to offer.”
Earlier this week, GM CEO Mary Barra, along with Gilbert and local officials, revealed the relocation of the company’s global headquarters from the RenCen to Hudson’s Detroit, just a mile away. The automaker will lease the top two floors of the new 12-story mixed-use building for a 15-year term, featuring a public showroom for GM on the ground floor. Additionally, GM, Bedrock, and the city of Detroit are currently exploring redevelopment plans for the RenCen, potentially incorporating a variety of uses, as suggested by Barra.
“We’re transitioning from a building that was originally designed for a different era, not suited to our current needs. The new space will be thoroughly modernized,” Barra explained.
Eric Larson, former real estate executive turned CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, characterized the trio of announcements — the hotel, condos, and GM relocation — as “highly significant” for downtown overall. He emphasized that there is still a need for a variety of hotel accommodations, and the EDITION will cater well to the upscale segment of the market.
Similarly, he noted that the residential component of the project follows a similar narrative. Bedrock’s choice to pursue luxury condos underscores the robust demand in the upper echelons of the market despite the current emphasis on affordable and senior housing within the city.
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