Hotel Pontchartrain, known today as the Crowne Plaza Detroit, was the first new Downtown hotel since the Great Depression.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Hotel lobby area in 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The hotel was built on an entire block along Jefferson, overlooking the Detroit River and the Huntington place exhibition Center.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The hotel's angular façade design allowed for every room in the hotel to have Riverfront views.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Hotel lobby in 2023

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

According to Crains News in a report from Nov 2022, the current owner is looking to revive a long-standing plan to build a second tower on the property.

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A look at the modern design of the front entrance

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front entrance to main lobby

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front entrance facing the Detroit river

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

The hotel as seen from Huntington Place (formerly Cobo Center)

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Front lobby

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A detailed view at the angular façade design

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

View at the Renaissance Center from the front door

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

A view at the Northeast elevation of the 25-story hotel

Photo (©) by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org