Shinola Hotel

"Set the scene. The first hotel from Detroit-based Shinola gives a great initial impression with a fibre installation that looks like wallpaper in the lobby. Woven panels by local artist Margo Wolowiec feature pictorial snippets, dyed into the weft, from Detroit’s storied past and present: the Kern's clock, graffiti, Martin Luther King’s raised hand during his freedom march in 1963. What's the story?This flawless Shinola extension (Shinola, in case the name seems familiar, was originally a boot-polish brand but has now been reinvented as a watch and leather-goods label) marries together two historic buildings on Woodward Avenue: a brick-fronted former department store and the old Singer sewing-machine factory. Designed by New York's Gachot Studios, interiors strike a balance between elegant and playful with jewel-toned velvet sofas, marble surfaces, and art, curated by Detroit’s Library Street Collective, adorning almost every square inch of wall. The design is impeccable, from the hand-painted gold-leaf ceiling in the Evening Bar to the tiles on the ballroom ceiling made from moulds of the original terracotta ones on the building’s façade. What can we expect in our room?A palatial space with mid-century modern furniture, loft-style windows, and quietly impressive details—custom-made wallpaper lined wardrobes, Frette linens on the bed, faucet handles that match Shinola watch backs—that let the architecture shine. Runwell desk clocks, striped alpaca throws, and turntables are all made by Shinola (of course) and can be bought from the shop downstairs. When the shades go down and the blackout drapes close, all city noise is completely shut out. How about the food and drink?Heavyweight chef Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde and The Dutch fame, both in New York) heads up the southern-Italy inspired restaurant San Morello. The space is a playful riot of mismatched patterned wall tiles and white linen covering the bottom half of the windows that’s reminiscent of a traditional trattoria. The menu is simple but interesting enough to lure local foodies: wood fired pizzas, homemade pasta and an antipasti feast featuring butter bean dip topped with wild mushrooms, creamy burrata on a bed of broccoli pesto, roasted beets with candied walnuts, and a charred cabbage salad. Anything to say about the service?Seamless, friendly, and meticulous without being overbearing. Upbeat staff, wearing perfectly co-ordinating outfits, anticipate needs in a synchronized Wes Anderson-like way. Who comes here? Old-timers and younger cool kids. A complete mix of locals and international guests, much like the vibe of the city itself. What’s the neighborhood scene like?Shinola is in the historic downtown district of Woodward, a block away from Campus Martius Park. Rather than fitting in to a scene, it’s creating its own. The casual Living Room is designed as a local hang-out for day and night; the sultry Evening Bar is the spot for cocktails. Anything else we should know? There is not one but 15 help-yourself libraries, brimming with architecture, design, and Detroit-related books. And 22 working fireplaces, all added during the renovation. Nab a seat in front of the one in the Living Room—it’s the best spot in the house. Other special touches include electronic key fobs attached to old-school Shinola-made leather key rings, rental bikes, and discovering chilled Vernors ginger ale in the mini-bar. Is it worth it—and why?This is an impressive, thoughtful renovation (and reasonably priced) at a time when the city—the original Motor City, birthplace of the Motown sound—is making a real comeback as a travel destination." - Meghan McEwen

"The Shinola Hotel, located in the landmarked 1500 Woodward building in downtown Detroit, is the first hospitality project from the brand Shinola. It features a design-focused interior with a lounge and various amenities, representing a significant investment in the city's redevelopment."

"Hotels themselves are shutting down across metro Detroit as the novel coronavirus epidemic spreads across Michigan. The Siren Hotel, Detroit Foundation Hotel, the Shinola Hotel, and the Element Hotel are among roughly 20 establishments that have stopped accepting guests." - Brenna Houck

"New independent hotels have played a vital part in Detroit’s regeneration. Though none embraces the city’s past, present and future as holistically as Shinola. Of course, there’s the fact that it sews together two old buildings on central Woodward Avenue: the brick-fronted, 1915 TB Rayl Co. department store and a former Singer sewing-machine factory (more recently, a wig shop). But there is also the fact that it uses contemporary elements to highlight the city’s history. Surrounding the check-in desk, floor-to-ceiling panels woven by local artist Margo Wolowiec represent important Detroit moments: graffiti, urban farms, Martin Luther King’s raised hand during his 1963 Walk to Freedom march. There’s a bustling living room instead of a lobby, where art, curated by the Library Street Collective, covers almost every square inch of wall, including a giant glittering sequined piece by Nick Cave. Interiors are chic yet relaxed, with plush velvet sofas, cool marble surfaces and curated help-yourself book shelves. Chef Andrew Carmellini shines in the tile-clad southern Italian restaurant San Morello, and the Evening Bar is moody and beguiling. This landscape-changing arrival from the eponymous Detroit-based watch brand lets people know that the city’s hotel game has been officially upped. FLASH POINT In every guest room there are Shinola products to make you a convert: a Runwell desk clock and turntable, and a beautiful striped alpaca throw, designed exclusively for the hotel. (313) 356-1401; shinolahotel.com. Doubles from $190." - CNT Editors

"Motor City was once a byword for urban decay, but in the past few years it has shifted up a gear with pockets of regeneration mapped out by creative artists. The once near-deserted neighborhoods of Corktown and West Village have been transformed by design incubators and a healthy pop-up restaurant scene; now it’s the turn of the downtown Woodward Avenue district. The Shinola Hotel sits across from a former sports store and a sewing-machine shop, with newly built additions (the eponymous shoe-polish brand was based in the city for decades before being reinvented as a watch and lifestyle label). Despite the industrial heritage, there are some organic touches, with bright pops of artwork and a homegrown narrative: In the lobby, a handwoven piece by local artist Margo Wolowiec catches the eye with panels depicting key Detroit imagery—the landmark Kern’s Clock, hip-hop graffiti, and Martin Luther King Jr., who led the Walk to Freedom here in 1963. The living room has an embroidered work by American artist Nick Cave, and mini libraries are dotted about the space—Shinola’s creative director has been collecting books for years. Other details include striped alpaca throws and Runwell turntables in the bedrooms, wallpaper from an original 1920s design, and bathroom fixtures inspired by watch-case backs. Chef Andrew Carmellini (Bar Primi, Lafayette) heads up the light- filled San Morello restaurant with southern-Italian-inspired plates such as scallops with fennel pollen and blue-crab pizza. Detroit has plenty of striking architecture, and this is a fine place from which to appreciate it. In the city’s eventful time line, it feels like a defining moment. —Meghan McEwen"