The Hotel Fort Shelby rose and fell with the city of Detroit. And, like Detroit, it has risen again. In 1927, a 22-story, 450-room Beaux-Arts style tower designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn added to the original 1917 11-story, 450-room hotel.

Overcoming Three Decades of Neglect

By 1967, the hotel’s business was struggling as more businesses opted for suburban hotels, and the doors finally closed in December 1973. The National Register of Historic Places recognized the hotel in 1983. It stood empty and vandalized for more than three decades. In June 2007, The City of Detroit announced that the building would be renovated and reopened. Construction teams completed the final $82 million in renovations in December 2008.

Motor City Electric Co. is proud to have been selected to provide complete electrical contracting services for this project that combines treasured historic elements with modern state-of-the-art amenities and services. MCE performed the electrical installation to power everything from the interior/exterior lighting and residential/commercial appliances to the communications network, Wi-Fi, and security.

Most of the original hotel’s historic beauty was restored and preserved. Teams managed to save the authentic marble and the plasterwork in the ballroom, as was the grand marble staircase in the lobby. The exterior marble and brick were cleaned by hand, as were the beautiful tile floors.

Modern New Hotel in a Historic Shell

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown: Fort Shelby now occupies the lower ten floors offering 203 two-room suites and a 21,000- sq. Ft. conference center, grand ballroom, 14 meeting/breakout rooms, business center, fitness center, restaurants, bar, and cafe.

Luxurious Fort Shelby Residences

The upper 11 floors of the historic property house the Fort Shelby Residences 56 luxurious 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot condominiums. There are five residences per floor with four unique penthouse layouts on the 21st floor and two bi-level penthouses with private rooftop access. 

Detroit-based L.S. Brinker Co. was the construction manager, Hobbs+Black Associates Inc., the architect, and MCP Development LLC owns the property. All contractors utilized local union labor for construction.