2nd Place, Adaptive Reuse
Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop, formerly known as the Kay Baum Building, has been transformed from a long-?dormant space into a vibrant entertainment destination in the heart of downtown Detroit. This adaptive-reuse project, developed by Bedrock, in partnership with 7OH2 Hospitality, marks a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. As the last unoccupied building on its block, its development as a multi-faceted dining and entertainment venue completed the streetscape, bringing new life to the neighborhood.
The 3-story building was constructed atop the footprint of the vacant 2-story structure, utilizing the existing basement, alley wall and party walls. The 12,710-square-foot building houses three venues: Gilly’s Clubhouse, The Rooftop at Gilly’s and Saksey’s. The design by McIntosh Poris Architects carefully considered the building’s scale and materials to ensure it would be appropriate within the Lower Woodward Historic District.
The dark brick and granite façade with metal accents frames large expanses of glass, revealing the interior activities and giving the project a timeless, elegant feel. 
The double-height backlit bar features a striking 120-square-foot TV wall that anchors the main clubhouse area, providing an immersive sports-viewing experience. 
The architects incorporated expansive glazing to create a building that would fit well into the historical context of the neighborhood while contributing a modern touch to Detroit’s downtown architectural character. 
The third level houses The Rooftop at Gilly’s, featuring a fully glazed rooftop enclosure that opens out to an outdoor terrace, offering panoramic views overlooking Woodward Avenue. 
The building’s mezzanine level extends Gilly’s Clubhouse, providing additional seating and views. 
In the lower level, guests can find Saksey’s, a subterranean cocktail bar and lounge inspired by Dan Gilbert’s father’s bar from the 1970s. 
Saksey’s is accessed through a separate rear alley entrance for added intrigue and an intimate atmosphere. 
BEFORE: Formerly known as the Kay Baum Building, what is now Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop was a long-dormant commercial storefront space located downtown on Detroit’s most major thoroughfare. PHOTO: McIntosh Poris Architects 
BEFORE: The building originally housed Kay Baum, a small chain of clothing stores. PHOTO: McIntosh Poris Architects 
On the ground level, Gilly’s Clubhouse serves as a sports bar with patio dining along Woodward Avenue. DRAWING: McIntosh Poris Architects 
The mezzanine level extends Gilly’s Clubhouse, providing additional seating and views. DRAWING: McIntosh Poris Architects 
The third level houses The Rooftop at Gilly’s, featuring a fully glazed rooftop enclosure that opens out to an outdoor terrace, offering panoramic views overlooking Woodward Avenue. DRAWING: McIntosh Poris Architects 
In the lower level, guests can find Saksey’s, a subterranean cocktail bar and lounge inspired by Dan Gilbert’s father’s bar from the 1970s. It is accessed through a separate rear alley entrance for added intrigue and an intimate atmosphere. DRAWING: McIntosh Poris Architects 
The 3-story building was constructed atop the footprint of the former vacant 2-story structure, utilizing the existing basement, alley wall and party walls. DRAWING: McIntosh Poris Architects
PHOTOS: John D’Angelo unless otherwise noted
The architects’ goal was not to design the building as an object but rather to fit within the context of the historical district in a modern way. A refined industrial aesthetic was adopted to complement adjacent existing buildings; masonry was chosen as the primary exterior material to express solidity and permanence.
The dark brick and granite façade with metal accents frames large expanses of glass, revealing the interior activities and giving the project a timeless, elegant feeling. The monochromatic exterior masonry contrasts with existing lighter-?toned buildings to the south. Intricate masonry detailing provides depth and shadow, playing on historical patterns by mixing traditional and Flemish bond patterns with soldier courses, corbeling details and projecting brick ends. The extruded Flemish bond pattern above the windows reinterprets a traditional detail. Only full module masonry units were utilized in the layout because of exposure on all sides of the projecting masonry units.
Strategically located near major sports venues and retail destinations, Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop has been positioned as a key attraction in downtown Detroit. The building, which is LEED Certified, opened in time for the NFL Draft in Detroit in April 2024, completing the streetscape of its block and bringing new life to the neighborhood. The project stands as a testament to Detroit’s ongoing urban renaissance, blending historical context with modern design and functionality.
This is a really beautifully done job. The interiors are impeccable.
Saul Jabbawy, regional director of design, principal, EwingCole
Retrofit Team
Design Architect: McIntosh Poris Architects
Interior Designer, The Rooftop at Gilly’s: Coeval Studio
Interior Designer, Saksey’s: Pophouse
General Contractor: Advanced Building Group
Lighting Designer: Illuminart
MEP Engineer: Clark Trombley Randers
Civil/Structural Engineer: Giffels Webster
Materials
Glass: Vitro Architectural Glass and GlasPro
Metal: ATAS International Inc. and Mapes Architectural Panels
Pavers: Hanover Architectural Products
Roofing: Sure-Weld TPO from Carlisle Syntec Systems
Ceiling: Armstrong World Industries
Decorative Metal: American Tin Ceilings, Banker Wire, Chemetal and Moz
Plumbing Fixtures/Hardware: Brizo and Kohler
Wood: Architectural Systems Inc. and Carlisle Wide Plank Floors
