MotorCity Casino Hotel

MotorCity Casino Hotel is a casino and hotel in Detroit, Michigan. It opened in December 1999 and is one of three casino hotels in the city. There are four in the Detroit–Windsor area, including the Ontario-owned Caesars Windsor. Detroit is one of the largest American cities and metropolitan regions to offer casino resort hotels.

MotorCity Casino Hotel
Address 2901 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Opening dateDecember 14, 1999
ThemeFuture Retro
No. of rooms400
Total gaming space100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2)
Permanent showsSound Board
2,400+ seat theater
Casino typeLand-Based
OwnerIH Gaming
(Detroit Entertainment, LLC)
Websitemotorcitycasino.com

The $825 million MotorCity complex incorporates a historic building that once housed the Wagner Baking Company, makers of the brand Wonder Bread. The complex houses a 100,000 square-foot casino with approximately 2,800 slot machines, 59 table games, and two poker rooms; a 13,000-square-foot spa; 67,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; Sound Board, a live music theater with a capacity of 2,400 people; and a luxury hotel with 400 guest rooms and suites.

Opened by Mandalay Resort Group, MotorCity Casino Hotel was later purchased by Marian Ilitch of IH Gaming (Detroit Entertainment, LLC).

Architecture

The building, located on Grand River Avenue at the Lodge Freeway (M-10), was designed c.1915 by architect Walter W. Ahlschlager, who later designed the Peabody Hotel in Memphis in 1926 and New York City's Roxy Theatre in 1927, among other notable structures. As part of the property's renovation as a casino, the decorative terra cotta elements of the former bread bakery were restored to their original condition, preserving the signature features of the historic building.

Chip Foose, a custom car designer and television personality, was a member of the design team. He is credited as instrumental in the property's unique look. Foose's influence is reflected strongly in the sweeping roof design, a 304-foot-long stainless steel undulating ribbon produced by Quality Metalcraft Inc., under direction of Michael Chetcuti. It is considered a reference to Detroit's automotive history.[1] Foose says it was inspired by the door molding on a classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. The roof ranges in height from 3.5 feet to 10 feet and weighs over 181 tons.

Casino

The casino features more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space: it includes approximately 2,800 slot machines (160 of them located in smoke-free gaming areas); approximately 59 table games; and two poker rooms.

The interior of the casino is notable for Foose's design of the ceiling, which features large, extruded aluminum-like beams and thousands of multi-color LEDs that can display video with more than 256,000 colors. The style is referred to as "Future Retro," and the ceiling resembles a giant custom car radiator.

Other elements of design referring to Detroit's robust automotive heritage include hot rod flame carpeting. The entrances to the smoke-free slot room resemble the front-end grilles of a 1938 Buick Century and a 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr.

In a nod to Detroit's Motown and other musical roots, the pillars of the Amnesia event space are designed to resemble bass clefs. The five-bar musical staff is used as a design element on items ranging from slot machine bases to signage throughout the property. Zebrawood, a rich wood often used in guitar construction, is incorporated into the hotel lobby and guestrooms.

Bonus TV

MotorCity Casino Hotel features a bonus system operated through custom flat-screen installations mounted above slot machines that allow interaction with customers. Through the system, the casino can award instant bonuses to players on their birthday, notify winners of special promotions, and more.

Sound Board

With a capacity of 2,400, Sound Board is a performance venue, and Detroit's only casino theater. Since opening with a concert by Detroit native Anita Baker on October 23, 2008, Sound Board has hosted entertainment and musical performers such as Robin Williams, BB King, Jay Leno, Motörhead, Patti LaBelle, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Eminem, Donna Summer, Etta James, Monica, Gladys Knight, Tamar Braxton, P. Diddy, and Diana Ross. The theater also hosts events such as live boxing and major product launches.

Advanced sound, lighting, and video equipment includes a d&b Line Array Sound System with Yamaha PM7 Rivage audio consoles, an HES Road Hog Full Boar lighting console, more than 50 moving lights and DL-3 lighting fixtures.

Hotel

Opened in November 2007, the MotorCity Casino Hotel has 400 rooms and suites.

Dining

MotorCity offers a variety of dining options:[2]

  • Located on the 16th floor, Iridescence is a restaurant serving Modern American cuisine.
  • The casino buffet, the Assembly Line, offers nightly dinner themes such as Mediterranean Night, Barbecue Night, Caribbean Night, Steak House Night, Italian Night, Soul Food Night, and the Monday Night Seafood Buffet.
  • The Lodge Diner offers comfort food such as chicken and waffles and pot roast.
  • Grand River Deli & Burgers features sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups.
  • The Detroit-based pizza chain Little Caesars has an outlet in the building.

Spa and exercise

A spa known as D. Tour has a more than 13,000 square feet facility. It includes men's and women's lounges, thermal whirlpools, steam rooms, and dry saunas. There are 10 private treatment rooms and a two-room couple's suite. Spa treatments include facials, massages, and the MotorCity Mud Bar. Also available is a 24-hour fitness center outfitted with Precor cardio and weight equipment.

Shopping

The gift shop, Lacquer, sells sundries, snacks, jewelry, and clothing. Detroit Tigers and Red Wings souvenirs are also available.

Events and conventions

MotorCity has 67,000 square feet of conference and banquet space, including seven meeting rooms and two boardrooms, each fully equipped with audio/visual, wireless internet, and teleconferencing capabilities.

  • Chrome panels accent original tile work on the Grand River façade
  • Casino details designed to resemble a classic 1950s tailfin-style car
  • Looking southwest with casino on the left and the high-rise hotel addition to the right
  • The casino complex looking west
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See also

References
  1. "High gear, low volume".
  2. http://www.motorcitycasino.com/Dining.aspx?Page=Overview

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