A long-quiet corner of downtown Detroit could soon be buzzing again, with a rooftop bar and restaurant proposed atop the historic Merchants Building as part of a planned hotel conversion.
The developer, Method Development, wants to put the vacant upper floors of the 1922 terra cotta building at East Grand River and Broadway back to work and cap it with public-facing dining and event space on the roof. If it comes together, the project would put fresh nightlife on a prominent block that has been waiting for a second act.
As reported by Crain’s Detroit Business in a story published today, Method Development LLC has filed plans to turn the Merchants Building into a roughly 121-key hotel with a rooftop bar, restaurant, and event space. Crain’s noted that the hotel is expected to open in late 2027 or in 2028 if the project stays on schedule.
Developer and design
Method Development, which bought the Merchants Building in 2022, describes the project on its site as a boutique hotel conversion with a ground-floor “living room” area and public food-and-beverage offerings. According to materials filed with the city, the developer has tapped Kraemer Design Group as architect of record for the renovation plans.
Historic status and approvals
Built in 1922, the Merchants Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and anchors part of the Broadway Avenue historic block downtown. Drawings and restoration specs presented to the city’s Historic District Commission show detailed terra cotta and façade repairs, new windows, mechanical upgrades, and rooftop changes that the team says will meet the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, according to HDC presentation slides and preservation records.
Where it fits in downtown
The rooftop concept would join a recent run of hotel rehabs and skyline-facing bars in downtown Detroit, from the Monarch Club atop the Metropolitan Building to new terraces at other restored properties. Coverage of Detroit’s hospitality expansion suggests developers increasingly view elevated dining and bars as a magnet for visitors and locals, a way to keep streets active and lights on later into the evening.
Next steps and timing
The proposal still needs permits, final financing, and any remaining city approvals before crews can start work. If those dominoes fall, nearby residents and merchants can expect façade and restoration activity in stages as the project moves ahead…