JW Marriott to Open in Downtown Detroit in 2027
The 25-story hotel will feature 601 rooms and connect directly to Huntington Place convention center.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hotels
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Construction is currently underway on the 25-story JW Marriott in downtown Detroit, which is expected to open during the first quarter of 2027. The project sits on the former site of the Joe Louis Arena and includes a skybridge linking to the city's main convention facility.
Why it matters
Expanding Detroit's hotel inventory is a priority to help the city better compete for hosting large-scale conventions and major events. The new property provides critical capacity, with additional developments planned to further boost the city's accommodations.
The property includes 53,000 square feet of event space and will feature 601 rooms averaging 625 square feet each. It is expected to support 300 jobs when fully operational.
The players
Atwater and Second Associates LLC
This real estate development firm is responsible for the construction and management of the new hotel project.
Huntington Place
This major convention center facility serves as a primary venue for large events in downtown Detroit.
The details
Developed by Atwater and Second Associates LLC, the hotel is being built by over 600 construction tradespeople working in three shifts. The facility will be integrated with Huntington Place via a pedestrian skybridge to streamline access for convention attendees.
Timeline
Construction on the hotel began in April 2024.
The hotel is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027.
The hotel will host guests for the NCAA Final Four in March 2027.
Individual guest stays begin on May 30, 2027.
Travel Outlook
This development follows a pattern established by the need to host large events like the 2024 NCAA Final Four, prompting the city to aggressively expand its available room count. It marks a shift toward increasing regional capacity to handle recurring high-traffic tourism cycles.
Travelers planning to attend events in downtown Detroit can begin booking individual reservations for stays starting May 30, 2027. The project's connection to Huntington Place will offer increased convenience for those visiting for conventions.
The takeaway
The addition of this hotel serves as a strategic move to boost the city's ability to host major conventions. Residents and visitors can expect more robust options for large-scale events as the downtown area continues to develop its tourism infrastructure.
Further reading
For more information on the local lodging market, visit the Detroit Hotels section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Detroit News.
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