A new event space called Castle Hall has opened on the second floor of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) building in downtown Detroit and is now taking reservations.
Located at 1942 Grand River. Ave, just east of DTE Energy’s headquarters, the 4,000-square-foot event hall sits above two restaurants, Republic Tavern and Parks and Rec Diner, and beneath offices for the media firm, Mindfield.
In development since 2011, Amanda Jo Franke, events manager for the space, says Castle Hall is now available to rent out for weddings, corporate meeting, catered events, large parties, smaller dinners, meetings, auto show dinners, and more.
Food options include fare from Republic Tavern, which offers seasonal dishes on its menu, or one of Castle Hall’s selected catering companies such as Forte Belanger. Capacity is 120 people for a seated dinner and 140 people for a strolling event. In addition, given the building sits on a triangular lot, the space offers panoramic views of downtown Detroit.
“It is a unique space that offers a unique environment and experience to anyone that wants to have an event here. We will follow the precedent set here by Republic and Parks and Rec as far as service and experience,” says Tom Carleton, one of the three owners of the GAR building and a principal at Mindfield.
The price for renting out rooms at the hall, which features original woodwork and vintage-inspired furniture and artwork, is $700 to $1,000 for the Turret Room, $1,000 to $1,500 for the Main Room, and $1,500 to $2,000 for the entire second floor.
Audio/visual packages, valet service, and, on occasion, building tours, are also available.
Franke says Castle Hall was named after the castle-like design of the GAR building, which was built as a memorial to Civil War veterans in 1899.
Brothers Tom and David Carleton and business partner Sean Emery acquired the building in 2011 for $220,500 from the city. Along with building out space for the four-story building’s restaurants, event, and office facilities, the work included new, state-of-the-art electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit castlehalldetroit.com, or contact Franke at amanda@republictaverndetroit.com.
