Across Michigan, a number of once-prominent hotels have faced abandonment at some point in their history. Some still stand vacant, others have been repurposed through redevelopment, and a few have been lost to demolition. Each experienced years of disuse, reflecting broader shifts in tourism, urban development, and local economies.
This list highlights 10 Michigan hotels that went through periods of abandonment, drawing on local history sources, preservation records, and reporting on their current conditions. Most of these sites are not safe for exploration today, so they are best appreciated through historical documentation, guided tours, or redevelopment projects that have brought new life to old spaces.
This list is compiled using historical records, local reports, and publicly available information. Access to abandoned properties can be restricted or unsafe, so this article is intended for informational purposes only rather than as a guide for visiting.
1. Lee Plaza Hotel, Detroit
Standing tall with intricate Art Deco flourishes, Lee Plaza Hotel embodies both the ambition and challenges of early 20th-century Detroit. Built in 1929 as a luxury apartment-hotel, it once welcomed guests with lavish interiors and panoramic city views. Over time, economic challenges shifted its fate, leading to vacancy and disrepair by the late 1990s.
Redevelopment ideas have surfaced regularly, yet the building’s future remains uncertain. Preservationists see it as a beacon of Detroit’s architectural heritage, symbolizing the city’s cycles of growth and hardship. Local news outlets continue to report on its status, reflecting broad community interest.
A curious fact: Lee Plaza is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, emphasizing its historical value. While the structure is not safe for public exploration today, it remains a powerful visual reminder of Detroit’s changing fortunes over nearly a century.
2. Fort Shelby Hotel, Detroit
For decades, the Fort Shelby Hotel signaled both promise and pause in downtown Detroit. Opening its doors in 1917, the hotel flourished before experiencing decline mid-century, eventually closing and standing vacant for many years. Its empty halls echoed the city’s broader struggles and moments of resilience.
In 2008, redevelopment brought part of the building back to life as a DoubleTree hotel, though traces of its dormant years remain in city lore. Preservation groups reference Fort Shelby in discussions about urban renewal and adaptive reuse. The hotel’s story continues to inspire interest among architects and historians.
One notable detail: portions of the structure were used for training exercises by Detroit’s police and fire departments during its vacancy. The Fort Shelby’s layered history offers insight into both decline and regeneration in the urban Midwest.
3. Statler Hotel, Detroit
Visitors once marveled at the glamour of the Statler Hotel, which opened in 1915 as a symbol of downtown Detroit’s vitality. Its ballrooms hosted significant events, and its guests included celebrities and civic leaders. As Detroit’s economy shifted, the hotel closed in 1975, remaining vacant for decades as redevelopment efforts faltered.
For years, the empty building became a talking point in urban planning circles. It was finally demolished in 2005 to make way for new development, though archival photographs and local news accounts preserve its memory. The site’s evolution reflects ongoing debates about historic preservation versus economic progress.
A striking fact: the Statler’s demolition marked the end of Detroit’s original grand hotel era. Urban historians often reference its long vacancy as emblematic of broader patterns in Michigan’s hospitality industry.
4. Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit
Book Cadillac Hotel’s lengthy journey from opulence to abandonment and back again stands out among Detroit landmarks. The hotel first opened in 1924, quickly becoming a social hub with its elegant ballrooms and guest suites. By the 1980s, structural and economic woes forced its closure, leaving the building empty for nearly two decades.
Restoration was a challenging process, involving multiple stakeholders and years of planning. In 2008, the building reopened as the Westin Book Cadillac, a testament to the possibilities of historic preservation. The hotel’s transformation is featured in case studies of urban revitalization.
A 1990s mural painted on one of the boarded-up entrances became a neighborhood symbol, reflecting community hopes for the building’s renewal. Book Cadillac’s story highlights both the vulnerability and resilience of architectural icons in Michigan’s cities.
5. Traverse City State Hospital (Building 50 Hotel Wing)
Traverse City State Hospital’s Building 50 once blended therapeutic ideals with hospitality. Originally part of the Northern Michigan Asylum, this section later operated as lodging for visitors and staff. The sprawling grounds and distinctive architecture hint at its complex history.
Abandonment set in after mental health reforms and changing care models reduced the need for such facilities. Efforts to preserve and repurpose the property began in the early 2000s, with parts transformed into shops, restaurants, and residential units. Building 50’s hotel wing remains a focal point for historical tours and local curiosity.
A unique tidbit: the building’s original design reflected the “Kirkbride Plan,” emphasizing light and air for therapeutic benefit. Today, its partial restoration illustrates the evolving use of historic institutional spaces in Michigan’s tourism landscape.
6. Hotel Ojibway Annex, Sault Ste. Marie
On Portage Avenue, the Hotel Ojibway’s annex tells a quieter story than its bustling neighbor. Built to accommodate overflow guests during peak tourism decades, the annex eventually closed as local travel patterns shifted. Its empty rooms and peeling paint evoke the ebbs and flows of northern Michigan’s hospitality scene.
Local historians often point to the annex as a symbol of the challenges facing small-town hotels in changing economic landscapes. While the main Hotel Ojibway remains open, the annex awaits a new purpose or further preservation efforts. Period photographs and city records document the annex’s evolution.
A lesser-known detail: the annex once hosted ice skaters and curling teams visiting for winter tournaments. Its fate is regularly discussed in Sault Ste. Marie’s preservation circles, reflecting an ongoing interest in adaptive reuse.
7. Muskegon’s Amazon Hotel
Rising near Muskegon’s waterfront, the Amazon Hotel once welcomed travelers to a thriving lakeside city. Built during the early 1900s, it was recognized for its distinctive sign and proximity to local attractions. Changing travel habits and economic pressures led to its closure in the mid-20th century.
The building’s partial demolition left behind a fragmentary facade, now a subject of interest for local photographers and history enthusiasts. Surviving archival images reveal bustling lobbies and busy dining rooms from its heyday. Municipal records track its gradual decline and changing ownership.
A quirky note: the original Amazon Hotel featured a rooftop garden where guests could watch ships on Lake Michigan. While its future remains uncertain, the hotel’s legacy persists in Muskegon’s collective memory and waterfront development plans.
8. Benton Harbor House of David Hotel
Few places match the eclectic history of the House of David Hotel in Benton Harbor. Associated with a religious commune known for its baseball teams and amusement park, the hotel hosted thousands of visitors in the early and mid-20th century. Its ornate facade and communal dining halls reflected the group’s unique vision.
Interest waned as the House of David’s influence declined, and the hotel eventually shuttered. The building’s decline is documented in both local newspapers and preservation databases, with remaining structures featured in regional heritage trails. Over time, nature has reclaimed much of the property.
Did you know? The House of David once operated its own miniature railroad, offering rides to hotel guests. Today, the hotel stands as a testament to a distinctive chapter in southwestern Michigan’s social and architectural history.
9. Marquette’s Northland Hotel
The Northland Hotel in Marquette opened in 1930, serving as a gateway for Upper Peninsula explorers and businesspeople. Its impressive facade and central location made it a local landmark for decades. As travel trends evolved, the hotel faced declining occupancy and ultimately shuttered.
The empty structure has drawn interest from both preservationists and developers, though restoration progress remains intermittent. Community discussions often focus on balancing historic value with economic feasibility. City archives contain blueprints and photographs chronicling the Northland’s changing fortunes.
Interesting fact: the hotel’s ballroom once hosted performances by touring jazz bands, drawing crowds from miles around. Despite its current vacancy, the Northland’s story continues to resonate in Marquette’s efforts to celebrate its architectural past.
10. Park Avenue Hotel, Detroit
Detroit’s Park Avenue Hotel once thrived as a downtown destination after opening in 1924. Its spacious rooms and proximity to entertainment venues attracted a steady stream of guests for decades. Eventually, years of neglect and shifting demand led to its closure and abandonment.
Demolition began in 2015 to make way for the construction of Little Caesars Arena, ending an era for the stretch of Park Avenue. The event sparked debate among preservationists and city planners regarding the balance between redevelopment and historic conservation. Photographs and artifacts from the hotel are preserved in local archives.
A small detail: the hotel’s colorful neon sign was a familiar sight for generations of Detroiters. While the building is gone, its story is referenced in discussions of the city’s architectural heritage and ongoing transformation.
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