New hotel rooms, which the city has lacked for decades, have nowbecome valuable. The Detroit Lion's new stadium Ford Field, whichis one year old, will be host the NFL Super Bowl in 2006 and theNCAA Final Four tournament in 2009. The city also may host theMajor League Baseball's All-Star Game in 2005 at Comerica Park, theDetroit Tiger's new stadium next door to Ford Field.

Hilton's project is one of many new projects planned the Detroitarea's hospitality industry, which includes three 400-room hotelsattached to permanent casino projects by 2006. Also, the city hasseen a rush to build new condominium projects.

The topping off of the new Hilton was held in June. Tim Judson,CIO of Ferchill, said the project should be complete by lateJanuary-early February. "We should be completing the major portionof construction by the end of December," Judson told GlobeSt.com."The brick and stone facing is being installed now, as well asinterior features, such as the swimming pool."