Renovated Detroit Club Reopens This Winter With Ground Floor Restaurant

Downtown’s historic Detroit Club is poised to reopen this winter. Although the majority of social club located at the corner of Fort Street and Cass Avenue will be exclusive to its members, the Romanesque Revival building is expected to feature a public restaurant on the ground floor, DBusiness reports.

The Detroit Club closed after sustaining flood damage and investors Lynn and Emre Uralli have been overseeing the renovations of the club for the past three years. When it’s completed, the venue will feature a 64-seat restaurant on the first floor that opens for lunch and dinner daily with Sunday brunch and dinner.

The menu is expected to feature eight to 10 entrees. Options will likely range from fish to steak to poultry with a “focus on local food from Eastern Market,” marketing and sales director Regina Peter tells the magazine. Peter adds that the owners uncovered old recipes from the building during the renovations and may try to work some of those items into the menu.

The owners are still in the process of securing a chef to helm the restaurant and other food and beverage programing at The Detroit Club, according to Crain’s. The social club is slated to relaunch in January ahead of the North American International Auto Show. Eater has reached out for more details on the restaurant. Stay tuned.

Update, 10/12, 4:15 p.m.: Diners can expect a blend of original elements from the club alongside newer additions in the dining room when The Detroit Club restaurant opens, marketing and sales director Regina Peter tells Eater.

The restaurant space is “one of the most classic elements of the club” and has received extensive attention throughout the remodel. The space features “refinished hardwood oak floors and freshly replastered ceilings with gold leaf crown molding.” The venue’s original crystal chandeliers hanging over an oak bar. Windows in the restaurant will also be draped in aubergine velvet curtains.

When the Urallis purchased the building it came with all of the furnishings including large hand-carved oak tables and chairs, which will be scatter amongst newer four-top tables.

While the restaurant will be open to the public, residing in the high-end club means customers should expect a fine-dining atmosphere with white tablecloths and dishes priced accordingly. “We do want to keep the integrity of the club intact, so in that there will be a dress code for the dining room,” Peter says.

In terms of the menu, The Detroit Club is leaving plans relatively open until a chef and culinary team are secured. Still, Peter emphasizes that the restaurant will be focused on local sourcing from the city’s farms and vendors at Eastern Market. “The menu might change daily or it might change weekly. We’re really trying to show that we have amazing chefs and amazing food in our own backyard.”

The food will be accompanied by a full bar with beers, spirits, and wine housed in a 2,500-bottle deep custom cellar.

The restaurant is currently expected to open concurrently with the rest of the club in January barring any delays.

• The Detroit Club Website [Official]
• Historic Detroit Club to Reopen in January, Be Private With Public Restaurant [DBiz]
• Historic Detroit Club Eyes January Reopening After Renovation [Crain’s]
• All Comebacks Coverage [ED]
• All Coming Attractions Coverage [ED]