Gilly’s, a new multi-faceted dining and entertainment venue is set to call downtown Detroit’ home when it makes its debut at 1550 Woodward Ave. in 2024.
It will honor the legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of Nick Gilbert, the late son of Dan and Janet Gilbert, who helped create the initial concept and design for the project.
The project is being sponsored by the Gilbert Family and its business interests, which include ROCK, and Bedrock, and its partners. Bedrock is the Gilbert family’s full-service real estate firm specializing in new city-building strategies. ROCK is the for more than profit family office for the Gilberts and their family of companies.
“To know Nick was to know a person with a true zest for life and celebrating with those around him,” said Dan and Jennifer Gilbert in a joint statement. “Gilly’s combines Nick’s love for food with his love for sports and entertainment right here in the heart of Detroit — a city he loved tremendously. We cannot wait to open the doors and share a project that meant so much to our son.”
Gilly’s, located just south of the David Broderick Tower, is near Detroit’s sports venues, retail, and transit options. It will offer a food and beverage program, and opportunities for sports-viewing. The venture should bring approximately 40 new hospitality jobs to the market and will fill the storefront in the Kay Baum Building that has been vacant since 2004.
Bedrock will oversee Gilly’s development and construction in conjunction with select partners. Gilly’s brick, bronze, and granite façade will be framed by glass windows and complemented by steel, and metal accents.
The 14,000 square foot building will feature more than 350 seats, including a lower-level bar, a first floor with patio dining along Woodward Ave. a mezzanine, and an outdoor rooftop terrace.
A food and beverage menu, and information on additional partners and the operator, will be released soon. Construction of Gilly’s is underway with the official opening slated for 2024.
Nick Gilbert, 26, passed away on May 6, 2023, from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disease.