Detroit Casino Megathread

[Michi]

Oh, all these photo updates are as of Friday September 28, 2007.

Motor City

This is the first section being built OVER west-bound Lafayette Avenue.

As seen from in front of Nikki's

The filler building on Monroe Street connecting the old schoolhouse and Trapper's Alley.

Old Ste. Mary's Parish in the foreground.

Facade installment on the first 3 levels of lobby.

St. Antoine Street

The hotel tower is slowly inching above the garage.

MGM Grand

The lighted rectangle below the tiger icon is a falling water feature and tinted red.

Motor City Casino.

-These photos were taken from the Michigan bridge over the Lodge, so the quality is kinda low. I waited and waited in an empty lot on Trumbull near old Tiger Stadium for the test show to come back on, but it never did...so I can't wait to get better photos soon.

Most of the light show is relatively slow in changing colors, but there are also brief periods of animation which is really cool to see. I was going to take a video when I was waiting, so I'll try to do that next time too.

It's much better with the naked eye!

[Zissou]

The MGM hotel looks nice if your looking west down Michigan, unfortunately it looks like crap from every other view. I do like the lighting scheme at night though, that will be a nice addition to that part of downtown.

[rbdetsport]

Thank you very much for the awesome pics Michi!

[CGunn]

So does MGM have a theatre? Haven't herd anyone talk bout it.

[detwaa84]

So does MGM have a theatre? Haven't herd anyone talk bout it.

[toog05]

No, but a 1000+ person ballroom for special events. Only MC and Greektown will have theaters.

As for Greektown. I though the hotel tower was being built "above" the garage. If what we see now is part of the tower itself, then some guests' view is going to be of the interior of a garage.

[Zissou]

Haha yeah, i get the feeling that they wont have rooms facing the interior of the parking garage.

[CGunn]

No, but a 1000+ person ballroom for special events. Only MC and Greektown will have theaters.

As for Greektown. I though the hotel tower was being built "above" the garage. If what we see now is part of the tower itself, then some guests' view is going to be of the interior of a garage.

[Veloise]

Freep article about the new MGM Grand permanent casino.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710020304

John Gallagher must've been a city planner at some point. He's definitely a good writer.

[hudkina]

I would assume the lower floors of Greektown will be used for Laundry, Mechanical, Kitchen, and Confrence space. I would bet that the actual hotel rooms won't start until at least the fifth or sixth floor.

[illmatic774]

There literally isn't any downgrade from the renderings here. Thats a damn flattering shot. Now only if the tower wasn't so squat (my only complaint)...

[Veloise]

...

[wolverine]

The casino looks WAAAAAAY better with all the landscaping.

Got more photos of the connector by the school in Greektown, Michi?

[Ka3kab]

The shrooms are pumpkins and the dragonflies are leafs. It was mentioned a few posts back that that area would have a rotating theme depending on the season. Pretty neat idea really.

[TheDetroitCity99]

The casino looks amazing. My parents are attending the black tie right now. I'm jelous, but they said they would take plenty of pictures.=)

[Michi]

Got more photos of the connector by the school in Greektown, Michi?

[detroitfan]

With Greektown they seem to be more worried about what could be built the quickest than attractively. The prime example is the parking garage, with all money they make they should've put some of the levels underground. Their garage is one the ugliest built in this city in a long time and their attempt blend in with surrounding is half-assed at best. The 1001 Woodward, Opera House and B-C garages have much more thoughtful designs.

[wolverine]

Yeah, definitely. Ever check out that newer garage that GM built a few years back, set a few blocks east of the RenCen? It was built to have similar facade types of the warehouses and factories that once stood there. The brick is a nice color, and the detailing, lintels, and sillwork is well proportioned. The window-like infill was also a nice addition. If Greektown would have done something like that, it would have been a winner, IMO

[Michi]

Agreed w/ both!

[toog05]

A more detailed and larger rendering that I found...

[Gangway1111]

Maybe its just the way it is colored, but it looks like parts of the hotel tower bulge out a little. Anyone else see what I see?

[toog05]

I think it actually does bulge out, I dont think its an optical illusion.

[hudkina]

The good thing about the garage is that you won't see it from Monroe St. The Garage is set back away from the street, while the hotel portion is right on the corner. It may not be a beautiful work of art, but at least it won't ruin the view along Monroe...

[detwaa84]

I don't think it would have looked bad if it wasn't set back. At least we'd have street level retail. But I'm over that now -- that whole area looks deserted being across the parking lot of the church and so close to the highway.

[Gangway1111]

Question, I know that the MGM Grand will have 10 restraunts on premise, dose anyone know how many more the Greektown and Motor City will add to DT Detroit?

Also, dose anyone else thing that the restraunts that these casinos are one of the more overlooked benifits that the casinos will be bringing to Detroit.

Thanks