Two RenCen Towers to be demolished? Inside a new distillery, and more around Metro Detroit

Welcome to the Friday edition of your Daily Detroit, sharing what to know and where to go in Southeast Michigan.
Today:
We talk about a visit to the Shankar Distillery, making the Varchas brand, a new spot blending Indian and American whiskey traditions. Learn about their unique offerings, including a Reserve 102 bourbon whiskey and the cultural significance behind their eagle branding.
Jer and Devon discuss his favorite twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, featuring mezcal and tequila. Perfect for summer sipping, this drink brings a smoky flavor.
The much-anticipated grand opening of Elephant and Company is happening this Saturday. With pizza, self-serve taps, and a kid-friendly environment, this new space could become a local favorite.
Jer corrects a previous misstatement about the number of rooms at the Marriott in the RenCen, clarifying that it has over 1,300 rooms, making it the largest hotel in Michigan.
Devon shares informed speculation about the potential future of the RenCen, including the possibility of Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock purchasing the property and transforming it to better integrate with Detroit’s riverfront by demolishing at least two of the towers, and bringing green space to East Jefferson.
Priority Waste is facing significant delays in trash collection across the region after taking over from GFL Environmental.
A downtown apartment project has secured over $11 million in public financing, paving the way for a September start. This $38 million project will convert and expand three existing buildings on Broadway into a nine-story residential building with 80 units.
And we react to listener feedback on the cancellation of the Midtown Target project. They discuss the mixed opinions on the need for big-box stores like Target in Detroit.
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[@manbtm1]

Absolute craziness to demolishing the Ren Cen towers , ridiculous. You don’t tear down the most iconic structure on your skyline, start doing that and we’re going to look like Chattanooga, Tennessee. There are many uses that could be protected for this complex, as well as destruction of two towers Will absolutely ruin the infrastructure around it and the appearance. For gosh, sakes, I hope smarter minds prevail on this. No city I have ever seen has been done anything so ridiculous to their skyline. We live downtown and stare right at it from our 19th floor condo. I can’t imagine taking them down. Incidentally, my spouse works for Marriott, and the Ren Cen Marriott is doing well, and Detroit is in dire need of hotel rooms , why in the world would someone think about tearing down the largest hotel in Detroit with over 1000 rooms. The restaurants are doing well in there also on the main floor as well as the top Hello?

[@topperharley9182]

Someone needs to start Michigan and Ontario resident petition to pledge and save the Ren Cen. It’s iconic and part of the historical skyline. Repurpose into condos and center tower for Vertical Aquarium / Amusement venue. Best views in Michigan should have always been residential

[@toordal]

How about first reuse the barely used RenCen parking lot? They don't even have to tear it up for grass. They can re-surface it for baskeball, tennis, pickleball courts.

[@DanielWhistler-um6oo]

Demolishing any of the 7 structures would be a very bad idea , the Ren cen and 2 accompanying towers are very unique and they should all sty up together !!

[@motorcityadam]

That distillery is clean!
I don’t drink, but I would love to pick their brain on the process-side. But a lot of that is a trade secret.
On better connecting to the riverfront over Jefferson…
Probably have to some kind of “Millennium Park” vision that Chicago had when it was an old rail yard, in order to have a shot.
Have to do up both sides of Jefferson - complete with an impressive pedestrian walkway.
A “conversation piece” for the city, if you will.
Pays dividends.

[@brucebeamon5460]

I want a TARGET too ! 👌🏿Unfortunately another location could not be found after seeing how long the rest of that development was taking .. would the New Center One building ( that used to have a Crowleys in it ) be too small for there plan for a smaller target ? Or in the building that had a Saks across the street

[@kevinstafford7485]

Andiamo and Joe Muer operating.

[@leahneal6981]

Absolute idiocy