Tucked Inside Detroit’s Wurlitzer Building: The Siren Hotel
Old world splendor at the center of the cultural resurgence
Set in the renowned, and incredibly-refurbished, Wurlitzer Building in downtown Detroit, The Siren is a hotel draped in old-world pleasures, both sensory and indulgent. An ode to the Greek mythology that adorns the city’s most prominent architecture, those behind The Siren intend for this space to become a symbol of rejoice and recollection—of spirits and, most particularly, the musical spirit that still inhabits this famous building.
The Wurlitzer Building, constructed in 1926, was established as the northern home for the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co’s administrative and sales team. When the brand’s popularity skyrocketed—their line of pianos, jukeboxes and organs supplied the sound for the Motown movement—the building became a home for a small collection of instruments. It was a house that music built, in many ways. The 14-story building was outfitted with renaissance revival in mind—fit with a terracotta exterior, ornamental details and a brilliant entrance. But, as time went on, Wurlitzer moved on and the space slipped into low occupancy through the early 21st century. Then, the building began faltering; the ceiling caved, the terracotta fell and the building itself violated safety code on numerous occasions.
In 2011, ASH NYC obtained the then disabled building with the intention of reinvigorating the spirit it held deep within. The Siren took three years to open—and even now some of the spaces within remain unfinished. The building is so uniquely large—its nooks and crannies are perfectly occupied by tantalizing concepts—that guest rooms are equipped with a directory.
The outpost is packed with 106 guest rooms, varying in size from a “Hideout” to a “Penthouse,” and seven different drinking and dining options—an eight-seat tasting menu restaurant called “Albena,” a widely acclaimed pink-clad cocktail bar called “Candy Bar” and a lobby coffee spot called “Populace Coffee” are among them (with other soon-to-be-open options to come). Out front, there’s also a two-seat barber shop called “The Social Club Grooming Company” and inside there’s a flower shop called “Pot & Box.”
The guest rooms carry on the spirit of the Wurlitzer. With their pastel hues, the marbled and tiled tables and walls, The Siren is old-fashioned in spirit. Their more modern amenities—including their custom-blend toiletries and hand-loomed blankets, among many others—and the extensive renovation, however, cement the hotel as a luxurious destination that seeps the rich history of the city rather than replaces it.
The Siren Hotel is open now for interested guests—with rooms starting at $139. The amenities that are open to the public now include Candy Bar, Albena, Populace Coffee, The Social Club Grooming Company, Pot & Box and the Siren Shop.
