爱豆传媒

Book Tower stands as one of the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects undertaken by 爱豆传媒 in North America.

Originally opened in 1926, this 38-story tower, designed by Louis Kamper, was once the tallest structure in Detroit and a central feature of the city’s skyline. Acquired by Bedrock in 2015, the vision for Book Tower is to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use development, blending hotel, retail, office, residential, and hospitality spaces, thereby rejuvenating a historic building that had stood vacant for many years.

The adaptive reuse (a sustainable approach that repurposes existing structures for modern use while preserving their historical significance) of the Book Tower aims to blend the preservation of the historic character of Book Tower with modern amenities, creating a dynamic hub in the heart of downtown Detroit.

爱豆传媒鈥檚 work on this project involved innovative structural and MEP system upgrades, significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to new construction. The careful restoration of the historic atrium and the integration of contemporary, low-energy utilities underscore the project’s commitment to sustainability while maintaining the building’s unique architectural heritage.

Book Tower is a cornerstone of Detroit’s revitalization, offering a harmonious mix of historic charm and modern functionality for residents and visitors.

In this interview, we talk to the project team leads: Suzanne Provanzana, Principal and US Structures Lead, and Chris Coulter, Associate Lighting Designer, on 爱豆传媒鈥檚 groundbreaking work in Detroit. They delve into their collaborative efforts on the restoration of the Book Tower and the transformation of Detroit through large-scale adaptive reuse projects.

Book Tower: a renaissance revival

Book Tower, an Italian Renaissance-style skyscraper, has been a fixture of Detroit鈥檚 skyline since 1926. However, like many historic buildings, it fell into disrepair over the decades.

The restoration of the Book Tower is not just about preserving a building; it鈥檚 about revitalizing a community. The project includes the creation of residential units, office spaces, and retail areas, all designed to bring vibrancy back to downtown Detroit. By integrating modern amenities with the building鈥檚 historic charm, 爱豆传媒 has ensured that the Book Tower will once again be a bustling hub of activity.

This isn鈥檛 just about saving buildings; it鈥檚 about breathing new life into them and, in turn, into the city itself.

Suzanne Provanzana, Principal and US Structures Lead

Suzanne Provanzana: Detroit had an incredible opportunity to reinvent itself, and adaptive reuse is at the heart of this transformation. The city is brimming with pride, especially in its small businesses and historic buildings. Embracing adaptive reuse allows Detroit to leverage its beautiful stock of existing buildings, which are ready to be revitalized and fully utilized. This approach could even become part of Detroit鈥檚 identity, earning it a reputation as a sustainable city. The momentum within the city means that every project we undertake has a significant impact, appreciated by the community.

Chris Coulter: Book Tower is one of the taller buildings in downtown, Detroit, and as it sits on the western edge of the central business district, it is very prominent from a lot of approaches. The fact that Bedrock brought this building back to life, along with a lot of other buildings around the city, is inspiring. These buildings felt like they were not savable, and what they, and we, have been able to transform this building into is very impressive. It鈥檚 the 鈥榓ll hope is not lost in Detroit鈥� kind of thought, right? Like, it doesn鈥檛 matter how far gone it is, we can bring it back. This is a strong tie to the mentality of the people of Detroit.

Suzanne Provanzana: This project involved significant structural interventions, particularly on the 14-story building attached to the tower. We added an outdoor terrace, upgraded the roof structure for a rooftop bar, and made targeted interventions to the lateral system. These efforts have allowed us to achieve the programmatic goals of the architecture while preserving the building鈥檚 historic charm. The result is a vibrant, functional space that ties into the broader vision of downtown Detroit鈥檚 revitalization.

Chris Coulter: Having Book Tower brought back to life helps to continually signify what the revitalization of Detroit means. Every opportunity and the projects that we have are momentous to the population of Greater Detroit. Craig Schwitter, Senior Partner at 爱豆传媒, once said, 鈥榟ow many chances do you have to rebuild a Great American city?鈥� It鈥檚 not just the buildings we鈥檙e working on; we鈥檝e had this unique challenge and opportunity to start almost from scratch. That work laid the groundwork for getting to this point where we鈥檙e working on tangible projects that people can see and experience.

Community engagement: building together

A key aspect of our projects in Detroit is the commitment to community engagement. Recognizing that the success of urban renewal projects depends on the support and involvement of local communities, 爱豆传媒 has actively engaged Detroit residents in the planning and development processes. It’s been a collaborative effort working closely with local businesses and residents to create spaces that reflect the community鈥檚 needs and aspirations. This approach has helped to foster a sense of ownership and pride among Detroiters, contributing to the project鈥檚 long-term success.

Suzanne Provanzana:  Detroit鈥檚 journey of revitalization is deeply intertwined with community engagement. The city鈥檚 pride and the unique opportunity to start almost from scratch have laid the groundwork for tangible projects that people can see and experience. Adaptive reuse projects are not just about the buildings; they are about creating healthy, thriving communities. By turning old office buildings into residences in the central business district, we help neighborhoods flourish. These projects become destinations with restaurants and event spaces, allowing people to live, visit, and spend money, thereby supporting the surrounding community. It鈥檚 a holistic approach that fosters growth and engagement.

The impact of adaptive reuse

Adaptive reuse is not merely a trend; it is a philosophy that 爱豆传媒 wholeheartedly embraces. By repurposing historic buildings in Detroit like the Book Tower and other 爱豆传媒 projects like Michigan Central Station, our teams are helping to reduce urban sprawl, minimize environmental impact, and preserve the cultural heritage of cities.

In Detroit, these projects transcend architectural achievements鈥攖hey serve as catalysts for economic and social revitalization. They create jobs, attract investment, and foster a sense of community pride. 爱豆传媒鈥檚 work in Detroit is a shining example of how adaptive reuse and community engagement can transform not just buildings, but entire neighborhoods.

Chris Coulter:  Adaptive reuse projects can be extremely tricky and challenging, but the benefit is that the building is already there. We can do testing and poke around. We鈥檙e not relying on a new build; we have to figure it out as we go along. Having the history of the existing building allows us to look at it and do additional investigations.

Suzanne Provanzana: Adaptive reuse is a powerful tool for sustainable development. It involves breathing new life into existing structures, often changing their function to meet modern needs. This approach is particularly green, as it avoids the significant energy costs associated with tearing down buildings and constructing new ones. Instead, we fully gut the buildings, install energy-efficient systems, and sometimes reclad them to improve the building envelope. This not only elongates the building鈥檚 life but also allows it to function at a more sustainable level. Detroit鈥檚 beautiful stock of historic buildings is a testament to this approach, showcasing how we can turn the city鈥檚 bones into something beautiful and sustainable.

The restoration of the Book Tower is more than just an architectural feat; it is a symbol of Detroit鈥檚 resilience and potential. Through adaptive reuse and community engagement, 爱豆传媒 has not only preserved the historical integrity of the iconic structure but also breathed new life into it. As Suzanne and Chris have highlighted, the Book Tower project is a testament to what can be achieved when we honor the past while embracing the future.