Huntington Place

Huntington Place, formerly known as Cobo Center, Cobo Hall, and Cobo Arena, needed an upgrade, starting with opening the building to the Detroit River and the redeveloped riverfront. The exterior façade facing the river was demolished and replaced with a glass curtain wall, providing some of the best views of downtown, the river, and Canada. On the opposite side of the building, a state-of-the-art electronic screen system was incorporated into the façade to draw attention to the center.

From Arena to Ballroom

Another significant feature of the renovation was the adaptive reuse of the former Cobo Arena, which once hosted sports teams and performances, into the new 40,000 sq. ft. Grand Riverview Ballroom. The transformation involved the complete removal of the arena's ceiling, ice rink, and seating areas while keeping the surrounding structure intact. A portion of the existing arena structure was removed and then re-supported on a new structural system to accommodate a new atrium.

A new floor level was created, and the ballroom was placed on the facility's second level. The ballroom is surrounded by an exterior glass curtain wall and includes a food court and supporting back-of-house spaces. It sits above a newly created meeting room space and is flanked by a new three-story atrium that visually and physically connects the interior to the riverfront.

A Five-Year Transformation

Over five years and a $279 million investment, multiple phases of renovation and expansion were completed in 2015 in collaboration with several partners to make the center safer, leaner, and greener. This work resulted in APEX-ASTM certification for sustainable conferences and, more recently, LEED certification for existing buildings. The revitalization of this landmark facility honors its legacy while ensuring its longevity, and it remains a significant fixture in the City of Detroit's resurgence.