Our Process

The Wurlitzer Company was founded in a modest location in Detroit. They sold a small line of pianos and musical instruments when they began. As Detroit began to grow, so did Wurlitzer Company. They eventually built the Wurlitzer Building. At 14-stories tall, the building was just south of Grand Circus Park and opened in 1926. The company’s musical instrument line quickly grew to more than just pianos. During the 1970’s the Wurlitzer Company moved from the iconic Wurlitzer Building. The building housed many tenants over the years. However, when the last tenant moved out, the building went dark for over ten years.

By the 2010’s the building was deteriorating and many pieces came crashing down, falling into the businesses and alleys around the building that once lit up the Detroit skyline. In 2015, the building was bought by development company ASH NYC. By 2018, the Wurlitzer Building was “reborn as The Siren Hotel, a tribute to what came before and a nod to the unwritten future of America’s most beguiling city.” The hotel includes 106 guest rooms, two retail spaces, a rooftop deck, and seven commercial spaces.

Bringing this decaying building back to life was an all-hands-on deck project. The project came to life with the collaboration between ASH NYC as the architect/designer, the general contractor Monahan Company, and GBA Architectural Products + Services.

ASH NYC is a developmental company that focuses on bringing the world of interior design and property development. They bought the Siren Hotel as the second property in their collection of hotels. ASH NYC credits the “Siren Hotel name to be inspired by Greek Mythological creates and acts as a metaphor – calling people back to the city of Detroit.”

Monahan Company was founded in 1922. Monahan Company dedicates their time to projects in corporate, education, healthcare, multi-family residential, restoration, retail, and worship spaces.

GBA’s role was being a source for the glass block panel walls in the bathrooms. The wall panels, effective and sparkling, provide a translucent screen between the shower and the rest of the bathroom facilities. The block chosen was Alpha. The Alpha block, with a circular pattern and maximum light transmission, mixes alluringly with the wide array of vibrant colors provided by other elements chosen for the bathroom.

What Customers Say

"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality. Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage. They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product. Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company

"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group

"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C

"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler

"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process. I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project. GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting

"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors

Siren Hotel

Our Process

Download the Case Study

Main Street Station Gallery

Bring Privacy and Natural Light Together with Glass Blocks

What Customers Say