NoMad Hotel to Open in Detroit
NoMad Hotels has announced its debut in Michigan by opening a nearly 180-room hotel in Detroit, following an agreement with Ford Motor Company. The hotel will be located within The Station at Michigan Central, a 30-acre tech and cultural hub. This initiative is part of a larger effort to revitalise Detroit’s historic, once-abandoned passenger rail station.
The announcement of NoMad Detroit comes shortly after the brand revealed its expansion into Asia with a new location in Singapore. This expansion follows a joint venture between Sydell Group and Hilton initiated last year to grow the NoMad brand. Established in 2011 and led by CEO Andrew Zobler, a veteran in the lifestyle hospitality industry, NoMad has built a strong reputation for creative place-making. The brand has become synonymous with the New York neighbourhood it helped revitalise.
“NoMad has built a reputation for developing hotels that take inspiration from the history, art, design and culture that make a place unique, and NoMad Detroit is poised to be no exception,” said Andrew Zobler, founder & CEO, Sydell Group.
“A city steeped in history with an incredibly bright future, NoMad Detroit is part of an ambitious project that is transforming The Station at Michigan Central into a center for commerce, innovation, community and culture. As we continue the international expansion of NoMad from the iconic London location, with plans to launch in Detroit and Singapore and more in the works, we look forward to giving travelers a chance to experience our unparalleled luxury in the most vibrant destinations.”
Expected to open in 2027, NoMad Detroit will be a central feature of The Station, occupying the top five floors of the building’s tower. Nearly 180 guest rooms, including 30 suites, will be available on the upper levels, marking the first time floors 14-18 will be used in the building’s history. Guests will also have access to luxury wellness facilities and various additional amenities.
Initially opened in 1913, The Station was designed by the architectural firms Warren & Wetmore and Reed & Stem, the same team responsible for New York’s famous Grand Central Terminal. NoMad, a globally recognized leader in hospitality, plans to transform The Station’s historic restaurant and carriage house into its signature restaurant and bar concepts.
The hotel’s interior design will showcase the work of local Detroit artists and makers throughout both public and guest areas, continuing NoMad’s tradition of collaborating with local talents to create hotels that are both globally inspired and deeply rooted in the local culture.
“A year after we opened Michigan Central Station to the world, our vision to create a global innovation hub and a destination symbolizing Detroit’s future is well underway,” said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company.
“Together with NoMad and Hilton, we are now announcing the next phase of our ambitious vision offering visitors and the community a unique hotel destination and memorable food and beverage experiences in this iconic landmark. The new NoMad Detroit hotel will not just be a place to stay, but an energetic and exciting gathering place for years to come.”
Detroit is the only U.S. city designated by UNESCO as a City of Design, making it the ideal location for NoMad’s Michigan debut. The Station, which has a rich history, serves as a deep well of inspiration for the hotel’s design. Initially opened in 1913 and replacing the former Detroit Union Depot, The Station boasts over 110 years of history that will influence the hotel’s aesthetic. Restoring historic architectural details is essential for the hotel’s appearance and ensuring that each guest’s stay allows them to connect with their surroundings. NoMad’s renovation will merge the history of Michigan Central Station and the City of Detroit with NoMad’s global spirit. The design of NoMad Detroit will evolve from collaborating with local artists and makers, creating a concept that actively engages with the community.
“Michigan Central is proud to welcome the NoMad brand to Detroit, bringing world-class hospitality to one of the country’s most iconic buildings,” said Josh Sirefman, CEO, Michigan Central.
“NoMad’s track record of thoughtfully integrating into culturally significant places and for creating spaces that celebrate local character made them a natural fit. This partnership is a continuation of our work of turning The Station at Michigan Central into a global destination that serves residents and attracts visitors as well as inspiring entrepreneurs, industry, and creatives.”
The announcement of NoMad Detroit comes nearly one year after Michigan Central and Ford celebrated the reopening of The Station last June, marking a significant step forward in the project’s evolution into a global destination. As the centrepiece of Michigan Central’s 30-acre district, The Station enhances Detroit’s technology ecosystem by accommodating larger tenants and established companies, attracting tech talent, drawing in diverse businesses, and integrating youth training programs.
Since its launch in April 2023, Michigan Central has developed into a diverse innovation ecosystem, hosting nearly 240 companies. Following a meticulous six-year restoration, Michigan Central and Ford officially reopened The Station in June 2024. Today, it serves as a home for multinational corporations and small businesses, and has welcomed nearly 300,000 visitors who come to experience unique cultural programming and historical tours.
NoMad Detroit will offer accessible luxury experiences to Detroit residents, Michigan Central’s network of startups and industry partners, and visitors. Guests will enjoy unparalleled views of the neighbouring Corktown and Southwest neighbourhoods, downtown Detroit, and Canada.
“This project is one of many new locations for Hilton’s luxury brands, following announcements in Turks & Caicos, Egypt, Singapore and India,” said Kara Randall, vice president, luxury and mixed-used development, Hilton.
“With our existing NoMad footprint in London and NoMad Singapore in the pipeline in Asia, we chose to announce our next NoMad project with Ford, who, like Hilton, represents iconic American companies at this quintessential crossroads for U.S. travel in the historic renovation of Michigan Central Station. This project champions Detroit, rejuvenates a historic landmark and marks Hilton’s luxury debut in Michigan, part of Hilton’s aim to serve every stay occasion in every location.”
Detroit is home to one of the largest regional economies in the United States, driven by key contributions from the automotive, healthcare, finance, and technology sectors. The city attracts over 16 million visitors each year. Designated as a UNESCO “City of Design,” Detroit remains a vibrant and culturally rich destination.
This signing represents a significant addition to Hilton’s global luxury portfolio, which now includes over 500 properties. This growth is attributed to the expansion of Hilton’s luxury brands and an exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Recent luxury openings include Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, Waldorf Astoria Osaka, Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Signia by Hilton Amman. Additionally, Hilton has nearly 100 luxury hotels currently under development worldwide.
NoMad hotels are part of Hilton Honours, the award-winning loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 hotel brands. Hilton Honours members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels can enjoy immediate benefits. These include a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose from various combinations of points and money for their bookings, exclusive member discounts, and access to the Hilton Honours mobile app.
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