• Sterling Group and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority announce that the hotel at Water Square will be the “JW Marriott Detroit Water Square”
• The hotel will be 25 stories and have 600 rooms on site of former Joe Louis Arena adjacent to the Residences at Water Square
• The new JW Marriott will be connected to the Huntington Place Convention Center by a skybridge
• 50,000 sf of meeting spaces, Restaurants, lobby bar, market, etc.
July 3rd, 2024 (DETROIT, MICHIGAN) Detroit-based developer Sterling Group and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) announced new details today related to the hotel that is under construction at Water Square, the site of the former Joe Louis Arena.
The hotel will open under the JW Marriott brand and will be connected to the Huntington Place Convention Center via a skybridge. The 600-room hotel will significantly increase Detroit’s hotel room availability, significantly boosting the city and state’s appeal for large conventions and other major events.
“This connected hotel will change the hospitality landscape in the City of Detroit and allow for Huntington Place to attract more and larger conventions. It will be a significant economic benefit to the City and the region,” said Danny Samson, Chief Development Officer of Sterling Group. “We are appreciative to The Union Labor Life Insurance Company (Ullico), the State of Michigan, City of Detroit, and Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties for their continued support and all of their efforts to make this project a reality,” Samson continued.
Given JW Marriott Detroit Water Square’s scale, caliber, and connection to Huntington Place, it is expected that the property will serve as an economic catalyst for the entire area and generate over $100 million in new spending annually, creating a positive impact for not only the city of Detroit but the state of Michigan. Further, it will help to elevate Huntington Place to the connected, convention-style hotels present in Chicago, Minneapolis, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and other cities.
“The significant investment made by Sterling Group will create the first hotel connected to our convention center in the city’s history. This waterfront development reflects the accelerating strength of Detroit to attract premier meetings and conventions. A connected hotel is a critical component that will allow Huntington Place and the City of Detroit to be a competitive force to attract such events going forward,” said Claude Molinari, Chairperson of the DRCFA.
Hotel construction began in early April 2024 and is expected to be completed by early 2027, in time for the Men’s NCAA Final Four tournament in Detroit in March of 2027.
“Marriott International is excited to collaborate with Sterling Group to open and manage the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square,” said Paul Loehr, Senior Vice President Full Services Brand West Region Marriott International. “Combining a highly sought-after meeting location for events and businesses with the JW Marriott brand’s iconic legacy of luxury and service, we are confident that the property will unlock new and exciting opportunities for the city of Detroit.”
The project is being financed by Ullico which is the only labor-owned insurance and investment company in the country and is the same lender that provided the financing for the adjacent Residences at Water Square.
“We are proud to invest in a Detroit project that supports unions,” said Brian J. Hale, CEO and President of Ullico Inc. “Through J for Jobs, we help increase the vast economic power of the labor movement while bolstering local economies.”
The hotel project will be an all-union project and is expected to create 426 direct and indirect jobs as well as over 600 union construction jobs.
“Ullico is known for bringing together expert resources and partners to better meet the needs of institutional and tax-exempt investors. We are excited to work with the Sterling Group to see this project through to completion,” says Joe Linehan, President of Ullico Investment Advisors.
“Detroit is a great convention city, but the hotel market is undersupplied. We see an opportunity to add capacity while potentially commanding a premium over other luxury hotels in the market,” said Herbert A. Kolben, Senior Vice President of Ullico Investment Advisor’s Real Estate Debt Group, which provides lending and loan servicing for commercial real estate projects.
The project received strong support from County Executives Warren Evans, Dave Coulter and Mark Hackel, and their representatives, Mayor Duggan and his team as well as the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC), the Detroit City Council, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through the Michigan Strategic Fund, all of whom voted unanimously to support the project.
“The recent NFL draft has generated a lot of interest in other large events coming to Detroit. The addition of a 600-room hotel attached to our convention center already will make us much more competitive, and having a luxury brand like JW operating the hotel takes things to a whole new level. Visitors staying there will enjoy world class services and amenities, along with spectacular views of downtown and direct access to our nationally recognized riverfront.” said Mayor Mike Duggan.
The Detroit Red Wings left the Joe Louis Arena in 2017 and the property was demolished in 2021. In February of 2022 construction began on the Residences at Water Square and the Grand Opening was in February of 2024.
“Construction of the new JW Marriott Detroit Water Square Hotel adds to a growing list of proof of just how far Wayne County has come in a relatively short period of time. Soon to be home to the only 4-star branded hotel between Cleveland, Ohio and Grand Rapids, this distinction should put everyone on notice that Wayne County is quickly becoming a top destination for major events and conventions as well as tourism, and we’re not done yet,” according to Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.
Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel offered his support of the project and stated “Today’s announcement is yet another example of the power of our region. With this world class hotel brand coming to our urban center, we again illustrate how competitive we have become. Together Oakland, Wayne and Macomb are connecting our unique assets and experiences which is making us a destination.”
The JW Marriott will be the second development at Water Square, with a park also planned between The Residences and the hotel. The park will be open to the public and feature a variety of plantings, hardscape features, public art, outdoor lighting, doggy station, seating areas, and river views.
“Through collaborative efforts with the entire City of Detroit team and Neighborhood Advisory Council, we were able to design a hotel project and a unique park area that will provide improved connectivity to downtown and the Detroit River, incorporate public art from local artists, and be accessible to all residents and visitors to the area,” said Samson.
“The new JW Marriott at Water Square will transform the former Joe Louis Arena site, enhancing the Detroit area’s status as a premier destination for major events and conventions while boosting our local economy,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This collaboration showcases the strength and unity of Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties in driving regional growth and development.”
