A sweeping $125 million expansion of Detroit’s marquee convention center, Huntington Place (formerly known to longtime locals as Cobo Center), is about to get underway, and it promises to transform downtown in a big way. In the coming weeks, construction crews will break ground on a project that will connect the riverfront convention hall to a brand-new luxury hotel and finally open up pedestrian access between downtown and the Detroit RiverWalk. This long-anticipated upgrade is big news for Metro Detroiters, and it’s generating buzz about what it means for local real estate, businesses, and the city’s ability to host world-class events.
In a nutshell: Huntington Place will gain a 20,000-square-foot addition at its southwest corner plus a glass-enclosed pedestrian skybridge linking directly to a forthcoming 600-room JW Marriott hotel next door. For locals and visitors alike, that means no more dead-ends or awkward detours around the convention center. Instead, we’ll see a seamless path from downtown straight to the riverfront, new public spaces with skyline views, and an attached five-star hotel, all slated to wrap up before Detroit hosts the NCAA Final Four in 2027. It’s a bold vision, and as one local expert put it, “It’s a huge difference, and it was critical to making this a successful project.”
Huntington Place, Facebook
A Convention Center Makeover: What’s Included in the Expansion
Rendering of the planned 20,000-square-foot expansion (foreground) and skybridge linking Huntington Place to the future JW Marriott hotel. The project will bring a modern glass facade and rooftop public space, opening up pedestrian access to the Detroit Riverfront.
The Huntington Place expansion is the final phase of a broader riverfront redevelopment effort years in the making. Key features of this upgrade include:
- Added Event Space: Approximately 20,000 sq. ft. of new space will be added to the convention center’s southwest corner. This extension will bring the facility closer to Second Avenue, essentially extending the building toward downtown.
- Pedestrian Skybridge: A modern skybridge will span from the new convention center wing across Washington Blvd (and over the sunken Lodge Freeway) to connect with the upcoming JW Marriott hotel. This bridge is designed to allow convention-goers and hotel guests to walk directly between the hotel and Huntington Place without stepping outside, a welcome convenience during Michigan winters or busy event days.
- Rooftop Terrace & Glass Facade: Renderings show the expansion will feature a green-roof rooftop public space and a sleek glass exterior. This is a dramatic change from the current setup; as Visit Detroit CEO Claude Molinari described, “Right now, it ends in a brick wall and old 1960s windows and a vestibule… Now, it’s going to be a much more open, glass-enclosed area.” The design aims to be inviting, with river views and natural light, rather than the blank wall that greets people today.
- Second Avenue Extension: Alongside the building expansion, Second Avenue itself is being extended south of Congress Street, creating a new pedestrian-friendly street that will run behind Huntington Place toward the river. For decades, this route was blocked off by the convention center’s loading docks and the freeway. Opening it up will reconnect downtown’s street grid to the riverfront promenades, making it easier to stroll from the RiverWalk to Congress Street and Fort Street without detours.
Together, these changes essentially knit back together a part of the city that was long divided by infrastructure. “For years, if you were on the RiverWalk and wanted to get to the other side of Huntington Place, you had to either cut through the community college or double back through the building’s atrium,” Molinari explained. “It’s a huge difference.” Now, pedestrians will have a straightforward path, and the convention center will have a grand new entrance facing the water, a feature many locals felt was missing.
Timeline and Goals: Ready in Time for Detroit’s Big Moment
Officials are moving fast on this project. The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (which runs Huntington Place) gave final approval to the expansion plans in mid-2025, and construction is set to begin within 30 days. The goal is to have the pedestrian bridge completed by late 2026, so it’s ready and waiting when the adjacent JW Marriott opens its doors.
Why the rush? Detroit is gearing up to host the NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament in spring 2027, and having an attached hotel and improved convention facilities is part of the city’s promise to event organizers. “Everything we are doing is focused on the hotel has to be ready for the Final Four which is the end of March of 2027,” Molinari said, noting that they assured the NCAA the infrastructure would be in place. Meeting that deadline is critical, not just for the NCAA’s benefit, but to showcase Detroit’s ability to pull off big events without a hitch.
Beyond the Final Four, the expansion is about strengthening Detroit’s hand in attracting major conventions, trade shows, and tourism. As Molinari put it, this will be Detroit’s first-ever connected convention center hotel, a feature that many competing cities already have. The added convenience and capacity can make Detroit more competitive when bidding for national conferences or events. In fact, even before breaking ground, the plan is already paying dividends: the promise of the hotel helped Detroit land the Final Four, and officials are eyeing other high-profile events next.
This isn’t just a construction timeline, it’s a countdown to a new era for Huntington Place. Detroiters still remember when the convention center (as Cobo Hall) hosted everything from auto shows to WrestleMania, but also how it felt a bit isolated on its concrete island by the river. By 2027, that isolation should be history, and the convention center will be plugged directly into downtown’s energy.
Our deep dive into Detroit’s 2025 transformation highlights the skybridge and Water Square projects
Introducing Downtown’s New JW Marriott Hotel
Rendering of the planned JW Marriott Detroit at Water Square, a 25-story, 600-room luxury hotel rising next to Huntington Place. The high-end hotel is scheduled to open by early 2027, just in time for Detroit’s hosting of the NCAA Final Four.
A major element of this expansion is the JW Marriott Detroit, a five-star hotel that will anchor the former Joe Louis Arena site (now dubbed “Water Square”). The Sterling Group, a local developer, is leading the hotel project as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of that riverfront land. Here’s what we know about the JW Marriott and its significance:
- Size & Scope: The hotel will be 25 stories tall with 600 guest rooms and extensive meeting space. This scale instantly makes it one of the largest hotels in the city. For comparison, 600 rooms is huge, roughly on par with the Renaissance Center Marriott’s capacity. The JW will also feature high-end amenities like ballrooms, a rooftop restaurant or bar, and probably spa and conference facilities (details to be confirmed as it approaches opening).
- First of Its Kind in Detroit: While Metro Detroit has other Marriott-branded hotels, JW Marriott is a luxury tier that’s new to the city. (Michigan’s only other JW Marriott is in Grand Rapids.) Locals can expect a five-star experience here, think doormen, fine dining, and room rates fitting of a luxury hotel. It’s the kind of hotel that can help attract big-ticket events and high-spending visitors, elevating Detroit’s profile. Visit Detroit’s Molinari has emphasized the importance of this addition, saying “we’ve got the JW Marriott under construction, and I think that’s going to be significant.”
- Connected by Skybridge: Crucially, the JW Marriott will connect directly into Huntington Place via the new skybridge, essentially making it the convention center’s “headquarters hotel.” Guests will be able to go from their hotel room to a trade show or banquet at Huntington Place without ever going outside or dealing with downtown traffic. This convenience is a huge selling point for event planners. Molinari noted that many organizations insist on walkable hotels; having to shuttle people by bus is often a deal-breaker. With the bridge, Detroit can check that box confidently.
- Timeline: Construction on the JW Marriott began in spring 2024 and is expected to finish by early 2027, just ahead of the Final Four. In fact, everything is timed around that March–April 2027 event. “We promised the NCAA that it will be ready for them… we have every intention of meeting that deadline,” Molinari said in an interview. By late 2026 the skybridge will be done, and soon after, the hotel should open its doors, likely making it the newest luxury hotel in Detroit since the Shinola Hotel or Detroit Foundation Hotel opened a few years back.
Local buzz: The JW Marriott isn’t the only high-end hotel project in town. Just a few blocks away, another five-star brand – EDITION Hotel – is set to open in the new Hudson’s site tower in coming years. And in 2023, Detroit saw the opening of boutique spots like the Cambria Hotel Downtown and the ROOST Hotel (in the restored Book Tower). It’s an exciting time for Detroit’s hospitality scene. The JW Marriott, however, stands out for its sheer size and its strategic location adjoining Huntington Place. This combo of convention center + luxury hotel has local tourism officials especially optimistic about drawing big conventions that in the past might have skipped Detroit for lack of on-site lodging.
Claude Molinari has even argued that Detroit will need more rooms beyond this: having the 1,000 hotel rooms currently under construction helps, but the city still needs at least 2,000 more rooms to be competitive in attracting large events. Right now, downtown and Midtown combined have roughly 6,000 hotel rooms, and Molinari believes the sweet spot is around 10,000–12,000. In other words, the JW Marriott is a big step, but don’t be surprised if even more hotel projects pop up as Detroit’s renaissance continues.
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Huntington Place, Facebook
Reconnecting Downtown to the Riverfront
One of the most locally appreciated aspects of this expansion is how it will reshape pedestrian access. For years, the massive Huntington Place (sprawling over several city blocks) and the adjacent sunken M-10 “Lodge” Freeway created a barrier between downtown’s core and the riverfront area. If you’ve ever tried to walk from Hart Plaza or Campus Martius down to the RiverWalk by Huntington Place, you know the maze: either cut through the convention center’s interior (when open), trek around via Fort Street, or even detour through the WCCC campus. It hasn’t been very intuitive or scenic.
That’s about to change. The plan extends Second Avenue straight south across where Joe Louis Arena used to stand, with a new road and walkway going over the freeway to meet Steve Yzerman Drive by the riverfront. In simple terms, this will create a new pedestrian-friendly route linking Congress Street to the RiverWalk right alongside Huntington Place. No more dead-end at the arena site or circuitous routes, just a direct line to the water.
What’s more, the skybridge and new addition effectively create a mid-block passage. The bottom level of the addition will provide access into the convention center from this new Second Avenue extension, and the top level of the addition connects into the hotel. There’s even talk of a small plaza outside the convention center’s new entrance, giving people a pleasant gathering spot rather than a blank wall.
Why is this important? For one, Detroit’s RiverWalk has become a crown jewel of the city, it’s been voted the best riverfront in America multiple times. But connectivity from the downtown side has always been a bit awkward at this spot. Opening up Second Ave means more foot traffic can flow easily between popular downtown destinations (like Campus Martius, Cobo Center/Huntington Place, and Hart Plaza) and riverfront attractions (the RiverWalk, Riverfront Towers area, etc.). It also ties into the city’s larger efforts to make downtown more walkable and bike-friendly.
Local urban planners often talk about “knitting the urban fabric back together,” and this is a prime example. What used to be a concrete fortress (Huntington Place’s loading docks and the hulking Joe Louis Arena next door) will become a transparent, accessible gateway to the waterfront. You might even think of it like this: the city is reclaiming a piece of its waterfront for the public. Molinari highlighted that the vision is to “break up a concrete jungle to create riverfront access.”
Additionally, this project has prompted some transit-related updates. The Detroit People Mover, which has a station that served Joe Louis Arena, is part of the picture too. As the area is redeveloped, the People Mover station was recently renamed “Water Square Station” to reflect the new neighborhood identity. So, when the JW Marriott and convention center link are done, someone could feasibly hop on the People Mover, ride to Water Square Station, and walk directly over the skybridge into Huntington Place or the hotel. For a city that’s working to improve transit and walkability, these little connections matter a lot.
For more on the Water Square transformation and People Mover station upgrades, see our blog on the Joe Louis Arena site redevelopment
Economic Boost and Real Estate Ripple Effects
Beyond the bricks and steel, Detroiters are asking: What does this expansion mean for the local economy and real estate market? In short, it could be a game-changer. Here’s why:
- More Visitors & Spending: Huntington Place is already a major economic engine. In 2023 alone, the venue hosted 146 events with over 457,000 attendees, generating an estimated $303.1 million in economic impact for the region. An attached hotel and expanded facilities are expected to increase the number and scale of events, which means even more visitors spending money on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and entertainment around Metro Detroit. Thousands of jobs in hospitality and services benefit from this activity. As big events like conventions or sporting tournaments come to town, local businesses from downtown steakhouses to Corktown bars see a surge in patronage.
- Convention Center Competitiveness: With the new hotel, Detroit will be in a stronger position to compete for lucrative convention business. Claude Molinari has been candid that lack of downtown hotel rooms was once a handicap for Detroit. “As soon as the statement becomes ‘we can bus your people to the hotel,’ that is an immediate turnoff,” Molinari noted, underscoring the importance of walkable hotels for event planners. By adding a connected 600-room hotel (plus other hotels coming online), Detroit can go after bigger conventions that might have gone to, say, Chicago or Orlando in the past. Landing those events means millions of dollars in direct spending and an uptick in Detroit’s national profile as a destination.
- Downtown Real Estate Demand: Big improvements tend to raise the tide for nearby real estate. The area around Huntington Place, particularly the Water Square development on the old Joe Louis Arena site, is already seeing growth. Sterling Group’s new residential tower, the Residences at Water Square, just opened 496 luxury apartments in early 2024. Those units command top-tier rents (around $2,300 for a studio and up to $4,700 for a 1-bedroom on higher floors), indicating strong confidence in downtown living. With the convention center expansion and JW Marriott next door, the attractiveness of these apartments could increase even more, residents will effectively have a world-class event venue and a five-star hotel in their backyard. It’s like a built-in selling point for that property and any future residential projects nearby.
- Property Values & Development: As the convention center area becomes more pedestrian-friendly and lively (imagine conventioneers and tourists circulating, new cafes or shops catering to them, etc.), expect property values in the vicinity to get a bump. Real estate developers pay close attention to projects like this, success can breed more investment. For example, there are already proposals for additional hotels near Little Caesars Arena and other parts of downtown. A city on the rise with big events on the calendar tends to spur developers to consider new restaurants, retail, and housing to capture that momentum. We’re effectively seeing a virtuous cycle: more attractions lead to more visitors, which leads to more demand for services and space, which then attracts more investment.
- Surge in Hotel Construction: Detroit is currently in the midst of a hotel construction boom, largely to meet the anticipated demand from events like the NFL Draft (which Detroit hosted in 2024) and the coming Final Four. By the end of 2024, downtown hotel occupancy rates had climbed to about 57.2%, up from 52.5% the year before. This is despite adding new hotels, which shows demand is catching up to supply. In fact, hospitality analysts suggest that while adding many rooms might dip occupancy in the short term, the long-term bet is on growing demand, more conventions, more tourists, more business travel will fill those rooms. For the local real estate market, this means confidence is high. Developers wouldn’t be building if they didn’t see a payoff; as one hospitality expert noted, “If a developer decides to build a hotel, they have done a lot of math…demand is not going to stay the same.”. The JW Marriott and Huntington Place expansion are at the center of this optimism, essentially reinforcing the message that Detroit is back and worth investing in.
In terms of neighborhood impact, the convention center sits at a junction of Downtown, Corktown (just across the freeway to the west), and the waterfront district. Improvements here radiate outward. Corktown, already buzzing from Ford’s Michigan Central Station redevelopment, could see spillover benefits if convention attendees venture a few blocks for dining on Michigan Avenue. The Downtown Core will definitely feel the increase in foot traffic, businesses near Huntington Place (like those in the Detroit Financial District and around Fort/Congress Streets) may get new customers wandering over. And of course, the Riverfront itself continues to be enhanced, now with more access and potentially new attractions (perhaps a café or retail in the convention center addition? We’ll have to stay tuned on that front).
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Huntington Place, Facebook
Local Perspectives and Community Buzz
For many Metro Detroiters, this project hits a personal note. The site in question, the old Joe Louis Arena, carries a lot of nostalgia (think Red Wings glory days and countless concerts). Seeing it transformed into a modern hub with apartments, a luxury hotel, and an upgraded convention center is a sign of the city’s evolving identity. It’s no longer the “Joe” we remember, but it’s becoming something exciting and new. Mayor Mike Duggan noted how far Detroit has come in the past decade, with projects like this “changing the skyline” and signaling that the city’s comeback is real.
There’s also a sense of pride and optimism in the community. When Detroit landed the 2027 Final Four, it wasn’t just because of a fancy proposal, it was also because of the tangible improvements in infrastructure and downtown vibrancy. “The secret is out: Southeast Michigan is the place to host world-class events,” Molinari said when the Final Four was announced. Locals are eager to prove that true. We’ve already successfully hosted events like the NFL Draft, which brought 700,000+ people downtown in 2024, and our city shined on the national stage. The Huntington Place expansion is about capitalizing on that momentum and ensuring visitors have a great experience (so they go home raving about Detroit).
Real estate professionals see this as building trust in the market. Projects of this scale, funded through public-private partnership (the convention authority is investing significant dollars, with support from state tourism taxes), show confidence in Detroit’s trajectory. It tells both residents and outside investors that Detroit is worth investing in for the long haul. As one development executive put it during the opening of the Water Square apartments, “This is a new standard for downtown and riverfront living in Detroit. Our goal was to create something that didn’t exist in this market until now.” The convention center expansion is cut from the same cloth, it’s creating something new here that we haven’t had before, and raising the bar for what downtown Detroit can offer.
What Happens Next (and How to Be Ready)
Construction on the Huntington Place expansion and skybridge is imminent, so downtown workers and visitors can expect to see cranes and crews mobilizing soon. Within the next month, fencing and site prep will likely begin on the southwest corner of the convention center. Over the next two years, the skeleton of the new addition will rise and the skybridge will take shape across the road. By late 2026, if all goes according to plan, the bridge will be in place, and finishing touches will be underway to welcome the JW Marriott’s first guests in early 2027.
For Detroiters, this means a bit of patience with construction detours, but a lot to look forward to:
New Views and Spaces: In a couple of years, you might be enjoying a rooftop terrace atop the convention center addition, taking in a riverfront sunset where there used to be only loading docks. Or imagine attending a gala in a gleaming new hall with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the water.
Easier Access: If you live or work downtown, the extension of Second Avenue and the pedestrian link means simpler walks and potentially even new uses for that route (food trucks along a new plaza? A bike lane to the river?).
Big Events on the Horizon: Keep an eye on Detroit’s event calendar. With this expansion, expect announcements for bigger conventions or shows. The city is aiming high; we could see things like large tech conferences, national trade shows, or other sporting events choosing Detroit for the first time in decades, thanks in part to these improved facilities.
Compare suburban convention-center growth in Novi with Detroit’s downtown project in our blog on the $270M Novi City West development
Embrace the Momentum
Detroit’s development boom can feel almost dizzying at times, but it’s driven by a clear vision: making the city more connected, vibrant, and welcoming for all. The Huntington Place expansion is a prime example of that vision in action. Now is a great time to get engaged with what’s happening in our city. Whether you’re a local resident curious about downtown living, a business owner eyeing opportunities near the convention center, or a family eager to enjoy the RiverWalk without obstacles, this project offers something for you.
If you want to learn more or be part of the growth, consider reaching out to local experts or community organizations:
- Visit Detroit and DRCFA often host updates or forums about big projects – plug in to hear the latest news straight from the source.
- Real Estate Insight: For those interested in investing or finding a home downtown, consult with a Metro Detroit real estate professional who knows the landscape. They can offer guidance on up-and-coming areas (like around Huntington Place) and help you navigate the opportunities emerging from developments like this.
- Experience the Area: Don’t wait until 2027, go enjoy the RiverWalk now, visit the restaurants and parks downtown, and watch the transformation unfold. The more we as locals use and love these spaces, the more alive they become.
In the coming years, we’ll watch the southwest corner of Huntington Place go from a construction zone to a stunning new gateway to Detroit’s riverfront. By the time the Final Four tips off in 2027, the convention center will be humming with visitors crossing that new skybridge, and our city will be ready to shine like never before. It’s an exciting time to be in Detroit, and as this major upgrade gets underway, one thing is clear: the revitalization of our city isn’t just continuing, it’s kicking into high gear.
So here’s to the new Huntington Place, may it bring us bigger events, stronger businesses, higher property values, and countless opportunities to show off the Detroit we know and love. After all, this is our home turf, and we’re proud to see it grow.
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