Hotel, Detroit, since 1913
The Ashley
Standing and open
- Opened
- 1913
- Standing
- 113 years
Designed by Norman S. Atcheson Alvin E. Harley
The Ashley has stood on Center St. in Detroit since 1913, 113 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
The Ashley today, from the street
What is there now
Standing and open
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 1913, in the years Detroit became the Motor City and built like it meant to stay on top, The Ashley opened.
Credit the design to Norman S. Atcheson Alvin E. Harley.
It still stands and still opens its doors.
Go see it at 1538 Center St. Photos never get the scale right.
Timeline
- 1913 Built Designed by Norman S. Atcheson Alvin E. Harley
- 2012 Closed
- 2026 Today 113 years and still standing
Where it is
1538 Center St.
Who made it
More from Detroit in the 1910s
-
![Capitol Park Building, [Griswold Street from Capitol Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4329-2213-thumb-3f981d9a17.jpg)
Capitol Park Building
Building, built 1913, by Leonard B. Willeke
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
![Edelweiss Cafe, [Edelweiss Cafe, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4440-2281-thumb-050a05b82b.jpg)
Edelweiss Cafe
Building, built 1913, Dutch Colonial, by Mildner & Eisen, demolished 1949
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
![Broadway Market, [Edw. Neumann, Broadway Market, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4310-2194-thumb-42e52f2f8b.jpg)
Broadway Market
Building, built 1912, Beaux Arts, by Harry C. Stevens, demolished 1967
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Detroit Waldorf School
School, built 1914, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Cathedral Church of St. Paul
House of worship, built 1911, Neo-Gothic, by Ralph Adams Cram
Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
David Whitney Building
Hotel, built 1915, Beaux Arts, by Graham, Burnham & Co.
Photo: St8fan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
-
Harmonie Club
Building, built 1895, Beaux Arts, by Richard E. Raseman
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
80 ft
- Madison-Lenox Hotel Hotel, built 1900, Beaux Arts, by F. Carl Pollmar, demolished 2005 160 ft
- Lincoln Hotel Hotel, built 1917, by Albert Kahn, demolished 1949 160 ft
- Hemmeter Building Building, built 1911, Neoclassical, by Richard E. Raseman 220 ft
-
Edelweiss Cafe
Building, built 1913, Dutch Colonial, by Mildner & Eisen, demolished 1949
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
270 ft
-
Merchants Building
Building, built 1922, by Bonnah & Chaffee
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
290 ft
-
Detroit Athletic Club
Building, built 1915, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
310 ft
- Plaza Apartments Building, built 1903, by S.C. Falkinburg, demolished 320 ft
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- The Ashley from the street today Photo: Street View, 2020
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.