Madison-Lenox Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Madison-Lenox was a hotel that stood in Detroit, Michigan
, from 1900 to 2005.
Originally designed as the Madison Hotel by F.C.Pollmar in 1900 and the Lenox Hotel by A.C. Varney in 1903. A two-story building between the two hotels later connected the pair, creating the Madison-Lenox Hotel. The buildings were last occupied during the 1990s. The hotels stood at the south-west corner of Madison street and East Grand River Avenue.
In 2004 a group led by sport team owner Mike Ilitch
submitted requests for the building's demolition to Detroit's Historic District Commission (HDC). These requests were quickly denied and the building stood. Despite offers by developers interested in the building, Ilitch declined to sell the property, preferring to demolish the structures to create a parking lot. Both the City of Detroit and Ilitch were hoping to get the building demolished and the land cleared before Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL
on February 5, 2006.
2004 saw the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the building to their "11 Most Endangered Historic Places", a list of buildings and locations across the United States
in danger of demolition or damage due to neglect.
The May 2005 demolition was the subject of significant controversy. Though demolition permits had been denied the city government pressed for the building's destruction nevertheless, stating that the structure was in danger of collapse. Preservation groups fought the demolition with a restraining order
a few hours after work commenced, but later that day a judge allowed the demolition to continue. Even though the HDC had originally denied demolition permits they did not oppose the move. The whole structure was gone within a week.
The building was the second on the "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" to be demolished.
The property is still held by Ilitch Holdings
and is currently used as a parking lot. The gated parking area is serviced by Olympia Entertainment
and chiefly serves Comerica Park
.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, from 1900 to 2005.
Originally designed as the Madison Hotel by F.C.Pollmar in 1900 and the Lenox Hotel by A.C. Varney in 1903. A two-story building between the two hotels later connected the pair, creating the Madison-Lenox Hotel. The buildings were last occupied during the 1990s. The hotels stood at the south-west corner of Madison street and East Grand River Avenue.
In 2004 a group led by sport team owner Mike Ilitch
Mike Ilitch
Michael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. is an American entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise...
submitted requests for the building's demolition to Detroit's Historic District Commission (HDC). These requests were quickly denied and the building stood. Despite offers by developers interested in the building, Ilitch declined to sell the property, preferring to demolish the structures to create a parking lot. Both the City of Detroit and Ilitch were hoping to get the building demolished and the land cleared before Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
on February 5, 2006.
2004 saw the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the building to their "11 Most Endangered Historic Places", a list of buildings and locations across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in danger of demolition or damage due to neglect.
The May 2005 demolition was the subject of significant controversy. Though demolition permits had been denied the city government pressed for the building's destruction nevertheless, stating that the structure was in danger of collapse. Preservation groups fought the demolition with a restraining order
Restraining order
A restraining order or order of protection is a form of legal injunction that requires a party to do, or to refrain from doing, certain acts. A party that refuses to comply with an order faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
a few hours after work commenced, but later that day a judge allowed the demolition to continue. Even though the HDC had originally denied demolition permits they did not oppose the move. The whole structure was gone within a week.
The building was the second on the "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" to be demolished.
The property is still held by Ilitch Holdings
Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Ilitch Holdings, Inc. was established in 1999 to provide all companies owned by Mike and Marian Ilitch with professional and technical services...
and is currently used as a parking lot. The gated parking area is serviced by Olympia Entertainment
Olympia Entertainment
Olympia Entertainment is a sports and entertainment company headquartered in the Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit, Michigan. Olympia is a division of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., and owned by Mike and Marian Ilitch...
and chiefly serves Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
.