Detroit Foundation Hotel has completed a renovation of its 100 guestrooms and its restaurant, The Apparatus Room, with updates by Detroit-based firm Parini and a new seasonal menu led by executive chef Rece Hogerheide.
The hotel originally opened in 2017 in the former Detroit Fire Department headquarters. Its latest update, completed in May, continues its focus on local design and creative culture.
Aparium Hotel Group, which operates the property, said the updates reflect the hotel’s evolution alongside the city.
“We’re proud to reintroduce Detroit Foundation Hotel to the community that has supported us since day one,” said Michael Kitchen, Partner & EVP Acquisitions at Aparium Hotel Group. “As Detroit evolves, so do we—deliberately and creatively, with the city at the core of e very decision.”
The renovation includes all 100 rooms, among them seven Commander Suites. The rooms now feature darker color palettes, new textiles and design elements referencing Detroit’s industrial and artistic history. The hotel’s meeting room, the Borgman Room, was redesigned with communal furniture to support informal gatherings, coworking or private events.
The hotel also retained its in-house podcast studio, now relocated to the third floor. It remains one of few hotel-based studios in the U.S., and the hotel said it continues to serve both local and visiting creatives.
The Apparatus Room, known for its historic setting and open kitchen, reopened this spring with updates to both its design and menu. The space incorporates preserved architectural features with new lighting and materials intended to enhance its atmosphere. A large chandelier made from hand-blown glass remains in the bar area, while a new sculptural chandelier was added to the dining room.
Chef Hogerheide introduced a new menu that focuses on seasonal and regional ingredients. New items include a seated raw bar and dishes such as Lobster Radiatore, Dry-Aged Côte de Boeuf from Moraine Park Farms and Roasted Chicken. The restaurant also continues to host events that highlight Detroit’s culinary and maker communities, including wine tastings, beer releases and chef collaborations.
The hotel said the renovation is part of a broader effort to deepen guest experience while remaining connected to the city’s history. Originally constructed in 1929, the building still features elements from its time as a civic facility. Since its opening, the hotel has positioned itself as a gathering space for both locals and visitors.
Detroit Foundation Hotel remains focused on maintaining its role as a cultural and creative hub while adapting to new expectations in hospitality.
