Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA restored landmark luxury hotel and mixed-use property in downtown Detroit.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel is a historic luxury hotel in downtown Detroit, Michigan, occupying a prominent site at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Boulevard within the Washington Boulevard Historic District. The property originated as the Book-Cadillac Hotel, a grand hotel developed by Detroit real-estate entrepreneurs J. Burgess, Frank, and Herbert Book. The brothers intended the Washington Boulevard corridor to become a western counterpart to New York’s Fifth Avenue and sought to create a flagship hotel capable of competing with Detroit’s Hotel Statler. Designed by architect Louis Kamper in a Renaissance Revival and Neo-Renaissance idiom, the building opened on December 8, 1924. At the time, its 31 stories made it Detroit’s tallest building and its 1,136 guest rooms made it one of the largest hotels in the world. Its original public spaces included multiple dining rooms and ballrooms, an expansive lobby, a retail arcade, and the Italian Garden. A radio station occupying the upper levels later became associated with the history of Detroit broadcasting. The building’s limestone-clad lower stories, beige-brick tower, copper roof elements, sculptural decoration, and figures connected with Detroit history remain central to its architectural identity. The hotel prospered during its early years but lost financial control during the Great Depression, when banks foreclosed and the Book family’s ownership ended in 1931. It subsequently operated under several owners and management arrangements. Sheraton acquired the property in 1951 and renamed it the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel, carrying out extensive modernization. After Sheraton sold the building in 1975, it became the Detroit-Cadillac Hotel and later the Radisson Cadillac Hotel. Declining occupancy, deferred maintenance, and Detroit’s broader economic difficulties created recurring financial and operational problems. Although a public-private effort helped keep the hotel open around the 1980 Republican National Convention, portions of the building were closed and the property’s usable inventory fell sharply. A 1980s proposal sought to convert the increasingly obsolete hotel into a smaller hotel combined with office space. The hotel closed in October 1984, but escalating construction costs and deteriorating market conditions prevented the redevelopment from proceeding. Its contents were liquidated in 1986, after which the building remained vacant for approximately two decades. During this period it suffered from neglect, weather damage, vandalism, and the removal of architectural materials. Redevelopment efforts resumed in the early 2000s. A proposed Renaissance Hotel conversion backed by Historic Hospitality Investments and Kimberly-Clark began in 2003 but was halted after construction revealed more extensive damage and project costs increased. In 2006, the Ferchill Group advanced a new plan to create a Westin hotel and residential development. The resulting restoration and adaptive-reuse project included a 453-room hotel, 65 condominiums and penthouses, recreated historic interiors, a new ballroom and conference facilities, a pool, fitness center, spa, and related parking infrastructure. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit held its grand opening on October 25, 2008. The hotel is operated under the Westin brand, which is part of Marriott International. Its business combines guestrooms and suites, meetings and events, food and beverage, wellness amenities, and residential units. The property has also served as a venue associated with Detroit’s cultural and sporting history. Notable associations include a 1939 meeting involving New York Yankees player Lou Gehrig and manager Joe McCarthy, filming locations for motion pictures, and the former Roast restaurant operated by chef Michael Symon. Oxford Capital Group acquired the property in December 2021 after the prior ownership faced foreclosure pressures associated with the pandemic-era hotel downturn. A property-wide renovation announced in 2022 was completed in 2023.
History
The property began with the Book brothers’ effort to replace the earlier Cadillac Hotel, built in 1888, with a much larger landmark. They purchased the older hotel in 1918, but World War I material shortages delayed demolition and construction. After the Cadillac closed in June 1923, it was demolished and Louis Kamper designed the replacement. The Book-Cadillac Hotel opened in December 1924 as a 31-story, 1,136-room building and immediately became one of Detroit’s most prominent commercial landmarks. Its early success was disrupted by the Great Depression. Banks foreclosed in 1931, ending the Book family’s control, and the hotel subsequently operated under outside ownership and professional management. During the mid-century period it remained a major Detroit hotel. Sheraton purchased it in 1951, renamed it the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel, and modernized much of the property while retaining key historic rooms. In 1975, Sheraton sold the building to Herbert R. Weissberg, after which it operated as the Detroit-Cadillac Hotel. Following a loan default, the mortgage holder worked with Radisson Hotels on a further renovation, and the property reopened in 1978 as the Radisson Cadillac Hotel. By the end of the 1970s, declining occupancy threatened closure. Detroit officials and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation participated in an effort to preserve hotel capacity ahead of the 1980 Republican National Convention. The property returned to the Book Cadillac name in 1980, but its scale had become difficult to sustain. Several guestroom floors were closed, and only part of the original inventory was considered marketable. A proposed 1983 conversion would have created a smaller hotel and office complex. The building closed in October 1984 when the redevelopment began, but rising costs and Detroit’s weakening economy halted the plan. After unsuccessful attempts by successive developers, the building’s contents were sold in 1986. The structure remained vacant for roughly twenty years and deteriorated through exposure, vandalism, and scavenging. The city announced a redevelopment agreement in 2003 involving Historic Hospitality Investments, a Kimberly-Clark subsidiary, with the intention of creating a Renaissance Hotel. Construction stopped after unforeseen structural and building-condition problems led to cost increases and Kimberly-Clark withdrew. A new proposal emerged in 2006 from the Ferchill Group. This plan transformed the building into a Westin hotel with residences, preserving and recreating major historic spaces while adding contemporary hotel amenities and event infrastructure. The restored property opened in October 2008 with 453 hotel rooms and 65 residential units. The building’s architectural character is defined by its steel-frame construction, limestone base, beige brick tower, classical columns and pilasters, sculptural figures, copper-clad roof features, and Renaissance Revival detailing. The redevelopment also added a three-story north extension with a ballroom, pool, fitness center, spa, and conference space. A parking structure replaced the former Detroit Commerce Building across Shelby Street, with apartments later added above it. The property was acquired by Oxford Capital Group in December 2021. In 2022, the new ownership announced a $20 million renovation, reported as completed in 2023. Today it functions as a Westin-branded hotel and mixed-use destination in downtown Detroit, combining accommodations, residences, meetings, dining, events, and wellness services.
- 2023
Major renovation completed
[1]A property-wide renovation announced in 2022 was completed.
- 2021
Oxford Capital Group acquisition
[1]Oxford Capital Group acquired the hotel and mixed-use property.
- 2008
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit opens
[1]The restored hotel held its grand opening on October 25.
- 2006
Westin redevelopment plan announced
[1]The Ferchill Group announced a plan to restore the building as a Westin hotel and residential property.
- 1986
Building is shuttered
[1]The contents were liquidated and the building entered a long period of vacancy.
- 1984
Hotel closes for failed conversion
[1]The hotel closed for a proposed hotel-and-office conversion that ultimately did not proceed.
- 1978
Reopens as Radisson Cadillac Hotel
[1]Following a renovation, the property reopened under Radisson management as the Radisson Cadillac Hotel.
- 1951
Sheraton acquisition and modernization
[1]Sheraton acquired the hotel, renamed it the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel, and renovated much of its public space.
- 1931
Book family loses control
[1]Banks foreclosed during the Great Depression, ending the Book brothers’ ownership.
- 1924
Book-Cadillac Hotel opens
[1]The 31-story, 1,136-room hotel opened on December 8 and became Detroit’s tallest building and one of the world’s largest hotels.
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Products and positioning
A landmark urban luxury hotel combining Westin hospitality, historic Detroit architecture, adaptive reuse, residential ownership, and large-scale meetings and events.
Hotel accommodation · 2008
Westin hotel guestrooms and suites
The restored property operates as a full-service Westin hotel with approximately 453 rooms and suites. It serves leisure travelers, business guests, event attendees, and visitors seeking a centrally located historic Detroit property.
Luxury residential property · 2008
Book Cadillac Residences
The upper floors include 65 privately owned luxury condominiums and penthouses. The residences form part of the building’s mixed-use adaptive-reuse model and provide a residential component distinct from the hotel operation.
Meetings and events · 2008
Venetian Ballroom and event facilities
The property includes restored historic event areas, including the former Grand Ballroom, renamed the Venetian Ballroom, as well as a newer ballroom and conference facilities. These spaces support weddings, conventions, corporate meetings, and social events.
Restaurants and bars · 2008
Food and beverage venues
Dining and beverage operations are part of the hotel’s full-service offering. The property formerly housed Roast, a restaurant operated by chef Michael Symon from the hotel’s 2008 reopening period until its closure in January 2022.
Fitness and spa · 2008
Wellness facilities
The modern redevelopment added a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and spa facilities, reinforcing the property’s positioning within the Westin wellness-oriented hospitality portfolio.
Brand decisions
2022
Comprehensive property renovationStrategyBackground
Oxford Capital Group acquired the property after pandemic-related pressure affected the prior ownership and hotel operations.
Action taken
The new owner announced a renovation covering the entire property.
Aftermath
The renovation was reported as completed in 2023.
Announced renovation investment. $20 million (Announced November 2022)
2006
Westin hotel and residences redevelopmentStrategyBackground
A new developer sought to revive the vacant building through a mixed-use hospitality and residential project.
Action taken
The Ferchill Group selected the Westin brand and planned a 453-room hotel, 65 condominium units, restored historic interiors, and new event and wellness facilities.
Aftermath
The restored property opened in October 2008 and returned the landmark to active hotel use.
Reported redevelopment cost. $176 million (Project completed in fall 2008)
2003
Proposed Renaissance Hotel redevelopmentStrategyBackground
After years of vacancy and legal disputes, Detroit sought a viable redevelopment plan for the deteriorating landmark.
Action taken
Historic Hospitality Investments, a Kimberly-Clark subsidiary, proposed converting the building into a Renaissance Hotel and began construction.
Aftermath
Unexpected building damage created major cost overruns, and Kimberly-Clark withdrew before the project was completed.
1983
Conversion to a smaller hotel and office complexStrategyBackground
The aging property had nearly 1,000 rooms, many of which were too small or difficult to fill in the changing Detroit market.
Action taken
Owners proposed reducing the hotel to roughly 550 rooms on 12 floors and converting 11 floors into office space under the Book-Cadillac Plaza concept.
Aftermath
The hotel closed in 1984, but escalating construction costs and worsening local economic conditions caused the conversion to fail.
Recent events
- 2022
Property-wide renovation announced and completed[1]
Other
The new ownership announced a comprehensive renovation of the hotel and mixed-use property; the work was completed in 2023.
- 2022
Roast restaurant closes at the Westin Book Cadillac[1]
Other
Roast, the restaurant associated with chef Michael Symon, ended its operation at the hotel on January 9, 2022.
- 2021
Oxford Capital Group acquires Westin Book Cadillac[1]
M&A
Oxford Capital Group acquired the Detroit property after the previous ownership encountered foreclosure pressure amid the pandemic’s effect on hotel operations.
- 2008
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit reopens after historic restoration[1]
Product launch · Other
The former Book-Cadillac Hotel reopened as a Westin hotel and mixed-use property following a major restoration and conversion project.
Sources1 sources
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