A New Dawn For Detroit, And For A Landmark Downtown Building
Detroit's Book Tower, a century-plus to the good and still standing proud.
As a grizzled native of the much-maligned Motor City (once derided by cynics as the Murder City), it did my heart proud to visit family and friends there recently, and enjoy a remarkably safe and serene stay in the heart of downtown. Housed within the historic Book Building and adjacent Book Tower on Washington Boulevard--once home to bustling offices, circa 1917 and 1926, respectively--are 229 apartments and the stunning 117-room Roost Apartment Hotel. To merely say the buildings had a facelift would be a gross understatement: resurrection would be closer to the truth.
Like many downtown buildings before it (around 80!), the new life for these historic structures is owed to the vision and munificence of one Dan Gilbert of Rocket Mortgage and Bedrock Detroit, his bustling real estate development company. Seven years and some $300-plus million dollars later, the once-disused and vacant ghost building is teeming with fresh life and activity while maintaining the ornate elegance of architect Louis Kamper's Italian Renaissance masterpiece. The limestone facade is pearl-white again, the green copper roof looks brand new and the delightfully curious dozen sculptures of unclothed women adorning the exterior appear to be ready for their collective closeup, modesty be damned!
The newly restored Book Bldg. atrium
Four stories of the Book Building are now home to 117 studio and one- and two-bedroom units perfect for weekend getaways or extended stays alike. The handsomely-appointed rooms are equipped with full kitchens and are completely furnished, including a convenient washer/dryer setup replete with detergent pods. ROOST even supplies fresh La Colombe coffee beans for guests to grind and then brew (with Bonavita hardware) an artisanal cup of coffee that obviates the need to visit one of the hipster java joints in the neighborhood. That's seven bucks you can then spend on a couple of gut-busting chili dogs at nearby Lafayette Coney Island, a not-to-be-missed Detroit hangout.
Living area at ROOST, cheery and spacious, with great city views.
Then again, if the good life at ROOST has so induced rest and relaxation that you prefer to wear your slippers downstairs, there are a handful of fabulous places to grab a bite or sip your beverage of choice on the premises. Le Supreme is a Parisian-style brasserie that is art-directed to resemble the real Frenchified deal, augmented by Detroit music posters to give the local cultural legacy its just desserts. Speaking of which, the in-house bakery--visible from the lobby through capacious windows, a very nice touch--serves a delightful French pastry basket for its weekend Sunday brunch, alongside a savory quiche Lorraine and a nicely-curated French cheese selection. Red leather banquettes inside and and shrub-shrouded tables outside complete the urban/rustic effect to the very letter. C'est magnifique!
Sakazuki
If you need further proof that Philadelphia-based Method Co.--responsible for ROOST's unique dining concepts--is at the pinnacle of cool when it comes to design and execution, the Japanese-style pub Sakazuki is the picture of funky elegance and a great spot for sake and casual bites like wagyu burgers and ekiben (akin to the bento boxes sold at Tokyo train stations). And Hiroki-San, in the lower level of Book Tower, features authentic Japanese fare like yakitori and ramen, as well as imported wagyu and sashimi, all in an elegant and intimately-lit interior with seating for up to 108 patrons, including a dozen lucky guests at the chef's counter. And the lobby-level Bar Rotunda sits beneath the 100-year-old Keppler glass dome and is an all-day cafe and wine bar where elbow-to-elbow scenesters bring the place to vibrant life nightly. Kamper's Rooftop Lounge--perched on Book Tower's 14th floor--is a comfy way to take in starlit city views and make with the de rigueur tapas and cocktails ritual. Unbelievably cool decor with a sophisticated vibe to match!
Detroit skyline from ROOST
Yes, you can stay within the confines of this beautifully-restored property and eat, drink and socialize to your heart's content, but you'd be denying yourself access to one of America's great second act stories--the city of Detroit itself! Downtown used to be a fairly depressing tableau of abandoned buildings and homelessness, but is now a leisure and entertainment hub that strikes new visitors as a less frenetic, pocket-sized Manhattan. All three major sports franchises--the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings--are located within walking distance or a short drive, and the restored Detroit International RiverWalk spans three miles and is perfect for hikers and bikers, children and adults alike. And don't forget to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts to admire Diego Rivera's murals as well as stopping by Jack White's Third Man Records--an impressive facility with a vinyl pressing plant and ice-cool retail space. The Motor City may no longer be burning, but it is FIRE!
And, it goes without saying, the ROOST rules.
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