A cornerstone of downtown Detroit’s hospitality scene is getting a thoughtful upgrade. The Detroit Foundation Hotel and its award-winning restaurant, The Apparatus Room, are undergoing a $4 million refresh designed to enhance the guest experience, improve operational efficiency, and reinvest in a celebrated local destination.

A Revitalized Dining Experience

After a temporary closure, The Apparatus Room reopened in early April with a redesigned interior and a fresh seasonal menu crafted by Executive Chef Reece Hogerheide. New offerings include:

• Dinner: Flank steak, roasted chicken, trumpet mushrooms
• Raw Bar: Oysters, whitefish dip, chilled lobster
• Lunch: Smash burger, Cuban sandwich
• Breakfast: Bacon & mushroom quiche, sourdough pancakes
• Brunch: Salmon breakfast sandwich, chicken and waffles
  
  

The restaurant, located at 250 W. Larned St., sources many of its ingredients locally, continuing its commitment to Michigan-grown produce and products.

To meet high demand — with operations running nearly 24/7 — the kitchen has also been outfitted with new refrigeration units and a high-performance broiler. “It’s not a complete overhaul — just some much-needed TLC,” said Hogerheide.

Elevated Interiors and Local Craftsmanship

Led by Detroit-based design firm Parini, the restaurant’s transformation includes:

• A more open kitchen-to-dining room layout
• An expanded lounge area
• New furniture and reclaimed tabletops by Woodward Throwbacks, based in Hamtramck
  
  

Parini, the original design firm behind the Detroit Foundation Hotel’s 2017 debut, was brought back to ensure the upgrades align with the property’s original character — blending timeless industrial architecture with modern luxury.

Hotel Enhancements in Progress

The Detroit Foundation Hotel, part of the Aparium Hotel Group, is refreshing its 100 guest rooms in phases, updating:

• TVs, mattresses, and rugs
• In-room amenities
• First-floor meeting and event space
  
  

Completion is expected by late April or early May, just in time for the spring/summer travel season.

General Manager James Dannecker emphasized the importance of staying proactive:

“With the whole project, we didn’t want to deviate too far away from who we are. We just wanted to enhance things. People love us for a specific reason. We didn’t want to change that.”

A Broader Vision

Owned and operated by Chicago-based Aparium Hotel Group, the Detroit Foundation Hotel is part of a growing portfolio of lifestyle-focused hospitality assets. Aparium currently manages more than a dozen hotels and 16 restaurants across 13 states, with new locations slated for Seattle (2025) and Louisville (2026).

Why It Matters

This investment reinforces Detroit’s ongoing narrative of reinvention and pride in place. Strategic upgrades like these not only enhance the visitor experience but also support local creatives, sustain hospitality jobs, and help solidify Detroit’s standing as a destination city for business, leisure, and culinary excellence.