Wisevoter
Detroit

Motown Museum Begins Gold Fin Facade Installation

Construction on the $75 million museum expansion reaches a new milestone in Detroit.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in R&B

Bold vector editorial illustration of a curved gold architectural fin mounted on a dark building wall, symbolizing the museum expansion.
Construction crews have begun installing custom gold-colored facade fins as part of the $75 million expansion project at Detroit's Motown Museum. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe major investments in local museum expansions are a worthwhile use of community resources?

Work crews have started installing custom-made gold fins on the exterior of the Motown Museum expansion in Detroit. The facade elements were designed following months of testing to observe how they interact with sunlight.

Why it matters

The $75 million expansion project aims to grow the cultural landmark into a 40,000-square-foot facility. Completing the exterior is a critical step toward the museum's projected reopening date.

The expansion project spans 40,000 square feet and carries a total construction cost of $75 million. Contractors assessed fin samples for months before the current installation phase began.

The players

Motown Museum

An iconic Detroit institution dedicated to the history and legacy of Motown Records and the sound that changed popular music.

L.S. Brinker

A construction management firm responsible for overseeing the development of the museum expansion project.

C.A.S.S. Sheet Metal

The manufacturing company tasked with producing the gold fins used for the museum facade.

The details

Installation began on the Ferry Street side of the structure and will eventually move to the West Grand Boulevard side. L.S. Brinker is overseeing the project, with the specialized gold fins manufactured by C.A.S.S. Sheet Metal.

Timeline

  1. January 2026: Hitsville tour operations paused for construction.

  2. October 27, 2026: Exterior installation work began on Ferry Street.

  3. June 2027: The museum is scheduled for its grand opening and tour relaunch.

Industry Dynamics

The expansion marks a significant shift for the Motown Museum as it scales up to meet the demands of global music tourism. This development follows the legacy of the original Hitsville U.S.A. tour operations, which have anchored the site's presence for decades.

Visitors should note that all Hitsville tour operations remain paused while the facility undergoes construction. Access to the museum will be unavailable until the grand opening currently scheduled for June 2027.

The takeaway

This $75 million project signals a major reinvestment into Detroit's cultural infrastructure. Prospective visitors should plan their trips around the projected June 2027 grand opening date to ensure the museum is fully operational.

What happens next

The museum is scheduled to hold its grand opening and relaunch public tours in June 2027.

Further reading

Discover more about the local legacy of this genre at Detroit R&B.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Detroit Free Press.

Live Poll

Do you believe major investments in local museum expansions are a worthwhile use of community resources?