Hotel, Riverbend, since 1926
Savarine Hotel
Standing, closed
- Opened
- 1926
- Standing
- 100 years
Designed by Louis J. Chesnow
The Savarine Hotel has stood on E. Jefferson in Riverbend since 1926, 100 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
Savarine Hotel today, from the street
What is there now
Standing, closed
- Closed Source: Historic Detroit
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 25, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
In 1926, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, the Savarine Hotel opened in Riverbend.
Credit the design to Louis J. Chesnow.
Its doors are closed for now, but the building still stands.
Next time you are nearby, stop at 13115 E. Jefferson and look up.
Timeline
- 1926 Built Designed by Louis J. Chesnow
- 2026 Today Standing, closed
Where it is
13115 E. Jefferson
On this map
- 1 Savarine Hotel This place
- 2 Hudson Motor Car Co. 0.3 mi
- 3 Continental Motors 0.3 mi
- 4 Vanity Ballroom 0.3 mi
- 5 Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant 0.5 mi
- 6 Vanity Ballroom Building 0.5 mi
- 7 Jefferson-Chalmers Historic Business District 0.6 mi
- 8 Roger Margerum House 0.6 mi
- 9 St. Columba Episcopal Church 0.6 mi
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Louis J. ChesnowArchitect, 1894 to 1959. Designed the Savarine Hotel (1926) and the Palmer Lodge Apartments
Also by Louis J. Chesnow
More from Detroit in the 1920s
-
Belcrest Apartments
Building, built 1926, Neo-Romanesque, by Charles N. Agree
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Broderick Tower
Structure, built 1927, Beaux Arts, by Louis Kamper
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Buhl Building
Skyscraper, built 1925, Neo-Romanesque, by Wirt C. Rowland
Photo: I, Mikerussell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cadillac Tower
Structure, built 1927, Late Gothic Revival, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Chateau Frontenac
Building, built 1925, Mediterranean, by J. Will Wilson, demolished 1999
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel
Hotel, built 1924, Neo-Renaissance, by Louis Kamper
Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Riverbend. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
-
Hudson Motor Car Co.
Building, built 1910, by Albert Kahn, demolished 1959
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
0.3 mi
- Continental Motors Building, built 1912, by Albert Kahn 0.3 mi
-
Vanity Ballroom
Building, built 1929, Art Deco, by Charles N. Agree
Photo: Albert duce, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.3 mi
- Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant Building, built 1908, Art Moderne, by Albert Kahn, demolished 1990 0.5 mi
-
Vanity Ballroom Building
Building, built 1929, Art Deco, by Charles N. Agree
Photo: Albert duce, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.5 mi
-
Jefferson-Chalmers Historic Business District
Building, Early Commercial
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
0.6 mi
- Roger Margerum House Built 2005, Modernist 0.6 mi
- St. Columba Episcopal Church House of worship, built 1927, English Gothic Revival, by Lancelot Sukert 0.6 mi
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- Savarine Hotel from the street today Photo: Street View, 2026
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.