Long-Vacant Southfield Hotel Getting $10 Million Makeover From New Zealand Investment Group
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - One of Southfield's most recognized hotels is getting the Kiwi treatment.
The long-shuttered Holiday Inn on Telegraph Road near I-696 has been bought by Kiwi Hospitality, a New Zealand investment group.
Ajay Soeny, Kiwi's group operations manager, said they're spending a lot of money to bring the 190-room venue back to life.
"Could be in the figure of $8 to $10 million-plus. So, we are trying to keep it down but I don't think it's happening at the moment. It's just eating away day by day," Soeny told WWJ's Mike Campbell.
Apart from the floor to ceiling makeover, crews will be preserving the hotel's iconic round tower.
"Absolutely, it has to be there," said Soeny. "It has some memories that people are telling us about, which I think people associate with every now and then. So, it's becoming more likeable and loveable day by day."
Soeny said buying the property made sense because the city is growing into "the" business center of the metro area.
"In coming years, Southfield is going to be recognized as a hub for business, executive business and business dealers, so it should be a place where things should be happening," he said. "And Detroit is on the move, I can feel it every day."
Rehab work should be completed within the next two years.