Hotel Fort Wayne / American Hotel
The Hotel Fort Wayne was once a part of Detroit’s bustling hotel district along Third Street north of downtown. Built in 1926, the Fort Wayne was also home to a Knights of Pythias fraternal order, which took up the second floor of the building.
By 1966 the name had changed to the American Hotel. Though the hotel still hosted events like dances and social functions, Nailhed.com reports that the hotel was on the skids, catering to college students and senior citizens.
It is unclear when the American closed, though the Detroit News reported that it was abandoned by 1998. It was sold it to the Illitch business group in 2010, who plan on renovating it as part of the Little Caesar’s Arena district. Most of the building has fallen into severe decay.
