Close
1879
Atheneum Suite Hotel
Detroit, Michigan
1000 Brush Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226
Original Property Opened in 1879
Historic Hotels of America member since 2023
Formerly a seed factory when Detroit was the “Seed Capital of the World,” the Atheneum Suite Hotel now offers 173 elegant suites and views of the city skyline. With every accommodation being a suite, the hotel allows guests to settle in a peaceful atmosphere amidst the bustle of the city. Both locals and tourists flock to downtown Detroit for its world-class cuisine, shopping and cultural landmarks, and the Atheneum Suites Hotel is ideally located for guests excited to explore.
Discover
- Discover how the Atheneum Suite Hotel functioned as a warehouse for seed production. In the late 1800s, Detroit was considered the “world seed capital," and the Ferry Seed Company took advantage of the need for seeds, constructing a massive warehouse to hold their products and serve as its headquarters. As Ferry Seed Company expanded, the architects used the latest construction techniques to grow the building along with the business, and any of those design elements can be seen today throughout the hotel.
- Search for shadows of the building's original architectural details. Designed by George Mason and built in the 1920s by Walbridge Aldinger, the construction of the historic hotel utilized concrete columns. Today, guests may be surprised to find the large columns in their hotel suites, which serve not only as a decorative touch but also as a nod to the building's fascinating past.
- Admire the fusion of both contemporary and traditional design styles. Along with subtle classical details throughout the hotel's décor, a modern Greek flair can also be seen throughout the furnishings, names, and even in the original architecture. Many of the suites are even luxuriously appointed with marble flooring and countertops.
Explore
- Explore the Detroit Institute of Arts, located in midtown Detroit and a ten-minute drive from Atheneum Suites Hotel. The Detroit Institute of Arts has one of the largest art collections in the United States covering 658,000 square feet which includes over 100 galleries and 65,000 pieces of work. The Detroit Institute of Arts strives to connect people to art through various programs, resources and its diverse collections.
- Take a trip with the family to The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Visitors to the museum are immersed in a world where innovations from history inspire future generations and challenge their minds. It’s the perfect spot for kids to visit and learn about historic innovations and how they impact the world today.
- Stroll through Campus Martius, named the No.1 “Top Public Square” in the U.S by USA Today and which has won many awards for public space designs, management, operations, placemaking, and programing. It is located in the center of downtown and is Detroit’s gathering place for both residents and visitors. Uniquely, the location is at mile 0 of the city at the site of Detroit’s point of origin as laid out in 1805 by Augustus Woodward.
Experience
- Experience the historic Fox Theatre performing arts center located in Downtown Detroit. The Fox Theatre is an iconic theatre and music venue that is well known around the world. The theater dates back to Christmas Day 1929 when the 250,000 square foot Fox Theatre was completed, with the crowning addition of “Mighty Mo”, the 3,622-pipe Möller organ that remains the largest Möller theatre organ in the world even today. The Fox opened to a sold-out crowd, premiering Steamboat Willie, Disney’s first cartoon starring Mickey Mouse. Tours of the theater are available as well as performances.
- Visit the Guardian Building, built in 1928 and is a designated National Historic Landmark, the highest honor given by the National Park Service. The building exudes the beauty and optimism of the 1920s. It is a soaring skyscraper located in Downtown Detroit in the Financial District and it is considered one of the boldest examples of art-deco architecture in the city.
- Take a trip to Belle Isle Park, a 985-acre island in the middle of the Detroit River. The park provides spectacular views of Detroit to the north and Canada to the south. It’s home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, the official southern trailhead for Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, a golf course and many more cultural and natural attractions. Visitors can also swim at the designated swim beach, ride bicycles, fish, paddle and more.
Taste
- Devour a steak at Grey Ghost Detroit, a hip and trendy restaurant that is nestled between the historic Brush Park and Midtown neighborhoods. Grey Ghost Detroit commits itself to the art of butchery and the practice of crafting cocktails. Visitors to the restaurant can indulge in a dry-aged New York strip steak cooked with the exotic flavors of orange and espresso or a more classic midwestern dish of cheddar bratwurst. Don’t forget to order a uniquely named drink like “the root of all evil” which is a shaken drink including vodka, strawberry, beet, Roma tomato, pineapple, lemon, and togarashi. Bottoms up!
- Savor some delicious soul food in Detroit at SavannahBlue. This restaurant is a chic eatery that features contemporary soul food as well as craft cocktails and a select wine list. Guests can enjoy the homemade goodness of mac ‘n cheese, shrimp and grits, and catfish fritters right in the heart of Detroit.
- Experience afternoon tea at The Whitney, Detroit’s most iconic mansion. With three venues on the ground for dining and entertainment, Whitney’s restaurant is a fine dining experience and features a tea service with premium teas and delicious sweets. After dinner or tea, guests are welcome to explore the grounds and take a walk through the gardens or visit the Ghostbar, known for its “Witching Hour Martini” made up of White Blossom Vodka, Limoncello, Chambord, raw sugar and fresh lemon.
- Enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean at Symposia, the Atheneum Suite Hotel’s onsite dining venue, or its sister restaurant Pegasus Taverna. Both helmed by the Papas family, who have made their mark on Detroit's Greektown for over 40 years, each eatery takes diners on a whirlwind tour of the Mediterranean, no passport needed. At Symposia, indulge in regional cuisine inspired by authentic dishes of Greece, Italy, and Spain, such as homemade hummus drizzled with earthy olive oil and served with salty feta cheese, bright pops of preserved lemon, savory confit garlic, and pillow pita bread for dipping. Pegasus, meanwhile, is all Greek all the time, serving flaming saganaki cheese and flavorful moussaka. Opa!
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Month Rate – Save 10% Off Best Available Rate
Friends of Historic Hotels of America receive up to 10% off the Best Available Rate using the code NHP.
I Prefer Member Rate- Flex Cancel
I Prefer Members will receive the best possible rate when booking at this hotel.
Best Rate Guaranteed
Get the lowest unrestricted rate when booking through Historichotels.org Guaranteed.
Preferred Bed and Breakfast
Enjoy The Best Available Rate and $25 Credit Toward Breakfast Daily.
