Book-Cadillac Hotel
The Book-Cadillac Hotel, now known as the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, stands as a prominent landmark in downtown Detroit, representing a complex history of luxury, decline, and rebirth. Originally conceived as a competitor to the Statler Hotel, the Book-Cadillac was built on the site of the beloved Cadillac Hotel, which was razed to make way for the new structure. Upon its opening in 1924, the new hotel became the tallest hotel in the world.[1]
History
The story of the Book-Cadillac Hotel is inextricably linked to the history of the Cadillac Hotel that preceded it. The Cadillac Hotel's origins trace back to 1885, when Daniel Scotten constructed a four-story business block that initially housed a grocery store. When the grocery business failed, Scotten repurposed the building into a hotel in 1888.[2] Over the next few decades, the Cadillac Hotel expanded, acquiring and demolishing the adjacent Antisdel House and adding to its footprint until, by 1891, it occupied the entire block between Washington and Shelby Streets, fronting Michigan Avenue. It quickly became one of Detroit's most esteemed hotels, hosting five U.S. Presidents — Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft — during their respective terms.[3]
However, by the early 20th century, the Cadillac Hotel began to show its age and struggled to compete with newer, more modern establishments like the Statler Hotel, which opened in 1915. The Book brothers — Herbert, Frank, and J. Burgess Book Jr. — recognized this shift in the hospitality landscape and saw an opportunity to create a grander hotel on Washington Boulevard, a street they were actively developing into a premier retail and commercial destination. Interestingly, the Book brothers had a personal connection to the Cadillac Hotel, having been born within its walls and having spent their childhoods playing in the landscaped mall outside.[4] In 1917, they purchased their birthplace, and in 1923, they made the decisive move to raze the historic Cadillac Hotel to make way for their ambitious new project.
Construction and Opening
The Book brothers commissioned architect Louis Kamper, with whom they had a pre-existing working relationship — he had also designed the nearby Book Tower — to design the new hotel. Kamper envisioned a 33-story Neo-Renaissance structure that would not only be the most extravagant hotel in Detroit but also the tallest hotel in the world.[5] Groundbreaking occurred in 1923, and the Book-Cadillac Hotel officially opened its doors on December 8, 1924.[6]
The hotel's design incorporated a variety of European architectural elements, most notably the elaborately designed Italian Garden and the opulent Venetian Ballroom. The Book-Cadillac boasted over 1,200 guest rooms, each equipped with a private bathroom — a luxury that was not standard at the time. Beyond the guest rooms, the hotel featured three ballrooms, multiple restaurants and lounges, and a diverse array of shops, solidifying its position as a comprehensive destination for both travelers and Detroit residents. The hotel quickly became a symbol of Detroit's prosperity and ambition during the height of the city's automotive boom.
Decline and Abandonment
For decades, the Book-Cadillac Hotel thrived as Detroit's premier hospitality establishment. However, like much of downtown Detroit, the hotel experienced a prolonged period of decline in the latter half of the 20th century as white flight, suburban sprawl, and the erosion of the city's industrial base reshaped the urban core. Occupancy rates fell, maintenance was deferred, and the hotel's once-celebrated interiors fell into disrepair. The property eventually closed and sat vacant for nearly 25 years, its grand ballrooms and guest rooms deteriorating behind a façade that still hinted at its former grandeur. The abandonment of the Book-Cadillac came to represent, for many Detroiters, the broader collapse of downtown's commercial and cultural vitality during this era.
Renovation and Reopening
After nearly a quarter-century of vacancy, the Book-Cadillac was selected for a major restoration project aimed at returning the building to active use as a luxury hotel. The project received more than $6 million in federal funding to support the transformation of the old hotel.[7] The renovation preserved many of the hotel's original architectural features, including the Italian Garden and Venetian Ballroom, while incorporating contemporary design elements and modern amenities throughout the guest rooms and common spaces.
The hotel reopened as the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel under the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand, marking a significant milestone in Detroit's broader downtown revitalization efforts.[8] The Westin Book Cadillac continues to operate as a full-service luxury hotel, hosting guests from around the world and serving as a venue for events, weddings, and conferences. Its resurgence is widely regarded as one of the more visible symbols of investment returning to downtown Detroit, alongside other high-profile rehabilitation projects on and near Washington Boulevard.[9]
Geography
The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel is located on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit, a location historically significant for its concentration of upscale retail and commercial establishments.[10] The hotel occupies the block bounded by Washington Boulevard, Michigan Avenue, Shelby Street, and Park Avenue, a prime location within the city's central business district. Its position on Washington Boulevard was intentionally chosen by the Book brothers to capitalize on their efforts to transform the street into a premier destination.
The surrounding area reflects Detroit's layered architectural history, with historic buildings and modern structures coexisting across the downtown core. The hotel is within walking distance of numerous attractions, including the Fox Theatre, Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers), and Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions). Its central location provides convenient access to the city's cultural, entertainment, and business hubs, and the hotel's proximity to major thoroughfares facilitates easy access for travelers arriving by car or public transportation.