Heritage Rooted in Innovation
In the early 1900s, the dawn of the automotive industry put Detroit at the center of the world. Downtown was bustling in a city that symbolized opportunity, hope, and the American dream. Iconic buildings were constructed all over the city; their craft and durability are evidenced by their lasting presence downtown—including Shinola Hotel.
T.B. Rayl Co.
Today, the Shinola Hotel property spans five buildings, including the historic former Singer Building and the T.B. Rayl Co. store, known as Rayl’s. The main structure that is now occupied by Shinola Hotel was built by the T.B. Rayl Company in 1915. Wirt Rowland, the architect behind the hardware and sporting goods store’s distinctive red-tiled facade, was known for exploring new design methods and materials.
The Singer Building
The adjacent Singer Building, with an understated, limestone-clad neoclassical exterior, was home to the Singer Sewing Machine Company in 1936. It was designed by Detroit-based Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls—now known as SmithGroup—the nation’s oldest continuously operating architectural engineering planning firm. Over the years, the current Shinola Hotel property housed many retailers, including Liggett’s Drug Store, Lloyd’s Furs, Sally Frocks, and the Meyer Jewelry Company.
A New Era
Now, more than a century later, Shinola and Bedrock are honoring the era when quality craftsmanship and pride of work ruled the land. Throughout the construction of Shinola Hotel, there was an underlying commitment to restore the two buildings to their original look and feel, ensuring these structures would shine in the new century, and for many to come.
