The Alexandria Ballroom, the Firestone Room and adjacent foyer spaces have been given a fresh look. The renovations include new carpeting, wall covering and window treatments. The ballroom’s crystal chandeliers, first installed more than 70 years ago, were restored. Painters used a metallic gold to highlight the details of the plaster relief on the barrel vault ceiling and wainscoting trim.
The Alexandria Ballroom is a historic ballroom that can accommodate up to 220 for receptions and other social events. Inspired by a similar room he saw in Alexandria, Virginia, Henry Ford sought to replicate the space in order to hold social and business events of all kinds. The recent renovation revealed two layers of wood flooring – a parquet floor above, which at some point covered the original tongue-and-groove oak planks.
Pioneered by Marriott and Ford Motor Company, the Detroit area hotel renovation also focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. The original windows were replaced with energy efficient units that also increased the natural light coming into the space. Cove lighting that accents the vaulted ceiling was replaced with fixtures offering more light with less energy. Existing pieces of furniture were refinished and reupholstered to blend period furnishings within the new setting.
