Investors, developers eyeing old Detroit police headquarters building

Police department moving out of building on Beaubien, into new building on west side of downtown

DETROIT – It's an iconic building in the heart of downtown Detroit.

The Albert Kahn-designed Detroit police headquarters building at 1300 Beaubien will soon be empty when the department moves into a brand new building on the western edge of downtown.

Video: New Detroit Public Safety Headquarters open

The building is in rough shape, but it's location is prime -- and with the nearby Wayne County jail project failing -- investors want the landmark.

Related story: State offers plan to salvage Wayne County jail project

In a proposal for developing presented to the county, entrepreneur and businessman Dan Gilbert included the headquarters building in his plan to expand the Greektown entertainment complex.

But Gilbert isn't alone.

Other developers who have been eyeing the jail project also want to take over the headquarters building -- most likely leveling it to create something new.

Local 4 News has learned that a New York-based developer is making a pitch to buy the building to convert it into a boutique hotel and loft complex.

A similar project is already underway at the David Whitney building. The Whitney Partners LLC is creating a hotel on the first few floors of the hotel with apartments on the top levels.

Related story: Construction begins on Detroit's Whitney Building

It's still unclear what will ultimately happen to the headquarters site, but it's clear there's lots of interest.


About the Author:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.