“This connected hotel will change the hospitality landscape in the City of Detroit and allow for Huntington Place to attract more and larger conventions,” said Danny Samson, chief development officer, Sterling Group. “It will be a significant economic benefit to the city and the region. 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.”
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 more than $100 million in new spending annually, creating a positive impact for not only the city of Detroit but the state of Michigan, according to developers.
“The significant investment made by Sterling Group will create the first hotel connected to our convention center in the city’s history,” said Claude Molinari, chairperson, DRCFA. “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.”
Hotel construction began in early April and is expected to be completed by early 2027, in time for the Men’s NCAA Final Four tournament in Detroit that March.
“Marriott International is excited to collaborate with Sterling Group to open and manage the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square,” said Paul Loehr, SVP, U.S. full-services development, 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/president, Ullico Inc. “Through J for Jobs, we help increase the vast economic power of the labor movement while bolstering local economies.”
The development of the hotel will be an all-union project and is expected to create 426 direct and indirect jobs as well as more than 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,” said Joe Linehan, president, Ullico Investment Advisors. “We are excited to work with the Sterling Group to see this project through to completion.
Herbert A. Kolben, SVP, Ullico Investment Advisors’ Real Estate Debt Group, which provides lending and loan servicing for commercial real estate projects, added, “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.”
“The recent NFL draft has generated a lot of interest in other large events coming to Detroit,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “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.”
The Detroit Red Wings left the Joe Louis Arena in 2017 and the property was demolished in 2021. In February 2022, construction began on the Residences at Water Square, which opened in February.
“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,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “Soon to be home to the only 4-star branded hotel between Cleveland 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.”
Tags: Brian J. Hale, Claude Molinari, Danny Samson, Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA), Herbert A. Kolben, Joe Linehan, JW Marriott Detroit Water Square Hotel, Mike Duggan, Paul Loehr, Sterling Group, Ullico Investment Advisors, Warren Evans
