The Dearborn Inn is officially reopened after undergoing extensive renovations throughout the last two years. Located on the Ford Dearborn campus, the Dearborn Inn is ready to welcome guests back with neo-classic styling, dining options, and neo-classic styling.
First opened in 1931, the original hotel was designed by Albert Kahn, using New England inns as its muse at the behest of Henry and Edsel Ford themselves. The “village” features five reproductions of famous Americans’ homes, including Patrick Henry and Edgar Allen Poe. These buildings, which were added in 1937, will hosts guests of the Dearborn Inn.
The remodel of the 290,000 square foot hotel includes overhauled guest rooms, public spaces, and replica homes. The building’s infrastructure was updated to meet modern standards, including restoring its exterior and upgrading its heating and cooling, along with its plumbing and electrical systems.
“We have lightened and brightened the rooms and emphasized our windows,” said Jennifer Kolstad, Ford global design and brand director. “You’ll feel the difference and the rooms feel enormous – they feel palatial and extremely luxurious… The Dearborn Inn is a magical opportunity to remind us where we came from.”
Standout amenities include the Four Vagabonds, the hotel’s bar, named after Henry Ford’s camping troupe from the 1910s and 1920s. Clara’s Table is a restaurant named for Henry’s wife, Clara Ford; its design was inspired by her passion for gardening. The Dearborn Inn’s art deco styling remains intact, and the facility still boasts its original marble flooring and crown molding. All artwork and furniture added to the building were specifically selected to preserve the authentic feel of the building.
“We were careful to curate important artwork and artifacts from the decades to create a collection that represents innovation rather than a place in time,” Kolstad said.
The Ford Dearborn campus also currently hosts the automaker’s development center, which exists on the site of the original Ford airport. The Dearborn Inn provided lodging for travelers in and out of that airport until the Great Depression snuffed out Ford’s aviation ventures, which slowly declined until ceasing completely in 1947.
No Comments yet