CLIENT: 1550 Webward LLC c/o Bedrock Management Services LLC
LOCATION: Detroit MI
YEAR: 2023-2024
Gilly’s is a 3-story, 12,710 square foot building located in downtown Detroit designed to house three venues: Gilly’s Clubhouse, The Rooftop at Gilly’s, and Saksey’s. McIntosh Poris Architects designed the building and collaborated with interior designers on the front-of-house interiors. Designed using key structural elements of the existing vacant building that was on the site, Gilly’s now completes the streetscape and is a vibrant destination in its neighborhood.
Integration with the urban context of its historic district in a modern way drove the exterior design, with the intent to establish the building as a contributing façade where there had previously been a boarded-up street front. A refined industrial aesthetic approach was taken to complement the adjacent existing buildings. The dark brick, granite, and metal exterior frames large expanses of glass that reveal the interior activities and grant a timeless, elegant feel. Masonry detailing provides depth and shadow, and the extruded Flemish bond pattern above the windows reinterprets a traditional detail.
The building’s four levels each offer a unique experience to appeal to a wide range of people. Gilly’s Clubhouse consists of the main floor and second floor which are open to each other, creating a spacious and communal atmosphere perfect for sports enthusiasts and non-fans alike. The second floor connects visually to Woodward from the seating area, and a private room along the front of the building can close its curtains for private events. The third floor is The Rootop at Gilly’s featuring a fully glazed rooftop enclosure and an outdoor terrace overlooking Wodoward with sweeping views of the Detroit skyline. The lower level is Saksey’s, a cocktail lounge inspired by the owner’s father’s bar from the 1970s. An intimate and exclusive experience, Saksey’s has a separate rear alley entrance. Each level in its own way reflects on the experience of Detroit and allows guests inside to be connected to the vitality of the city. Environmentally conscious, the building also achieved LEED Certification.
