There is a “Grand Lady” along the Detroit River that has finally been resurrected after years of neglect. To respect the privacy of the current residents, we won’t use her real name, but she remains a historical gem. This building stands as a proud testament to the golden age of Detroit history and hauntings, back when the city was a global industrial giant.
The Golden Age of the Grand Lady
Completed in phases between 1923 and 1926, the hotel was a masterpiece by famed architect Charles N. Agree. It was luxury living at its finest, located just three miles from downtown. The property featured Italian gardens, fountains, and its own private street. It became a mecca for the elite, including the Dodge brothers, who built the famous “Crow’s Nest” penthouse.
This location was the heart of the city’s glamour. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eleanor Roosevelt all stayed here. It is even rumored that the Purple Gang used a secret tunnel running under the river to smuggle alcohol from Canada during Prohibition. However, behind the glamour of Detroit history and hauntings, a darker side was beginning to form.
A Transition to the Supernatural
By the mid-1960s, the building began a series of transitions. After a millionaire owner tragically died in a plane crash, the property eventually became senior housing and later a retirement home. The once-vibrant spa and Crystal Ballroom were converted into geriatric care facilities and doctors’ offices. The building finally closed its doors in 2001.
Our story begins in 2003 when our security company took over the contract for the new owner. The longtime caretaker, Joyce, stayed for thirty days to transition the property to us. She spoke of the building with immense pride, but her stories often felt more like a warning.
Validating the Ghost Stories
Joyce told us that the grand old building was haunted. At first, we listened with professional curiosity, but over the next two years, every story she told us was validated. When you deal with Detroit history and hauntings on this scale, you eventually realize that some residents never truly check out.
From the shadows of the old “Crow’s Nest” to the silent, empty therapy rooms in the first tower, we weren’t just guarding a building—we were sharing space with the past.
