Later this year, Aurora Italiana is planning to open its first downtown Detroit location — and third overall. It’s the latest from Prime Concepts Detroit and Barbat Holdings, whose portfolio also includes nearby Sexy Steak.
Aurora Italiana Detroit will occupy the bottom two floors of the Barbat-owned Briggs Houze building near Grand Circus Park. The space once housed the historic Michigan Oriental Theater. Additionally, plans are in the works to convert the 17-story building’s 118 residential apartments into a Hyatt Hotel.
With traditional Italian fare on the menu, Aurora Italiana Detroit plans to have a warm, rustic atmosphere that celebrates Italian heritage and hospitality.
The two-story eatery will accommodate roughly 110 guests and feature an open-kitchen concept. Breads, pastas, and sauces will be made in-house daily in a seed oil-free kitchen.
Previously, PAO Detroit occupied the space — another Prime Concepts restaurant that closed last year. During its six-year run, People magazine named it among the “50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America.”
The goal with the refreshed space “is to create an experience that honors both the incredible history of this landmark building and the timeless appeal of Italian hospitality,” said Joe Barbat, chairman and CEO of Prime Concepts Detroit and Barbat Holdings, in a press release. “From preserving the beauty of the historic Michigan Oriental Theater to introducing a warm, rustic trattoria atmosphere, Aurora Italiana Detroit will be a destination where guests can enjoy exceptional food in one of Detroit’s most remarkable spaces.”
Aurora Italiana’s first location opened in West Bloomfield in 2023. The following year, Aurora on the Lake debuted in Commerce Township.
After it opens later this year, the Detroit location plans to have dinner service seven days a week. Aurora Italiana Detroit is expected to open before the Hyatt Hotel, though planning is still in its early stages, a company spokesperson tells Hour Detroit. After the transition from apartments to hotel, Barbat Holdings would continue to own the building, with Hyatt serving as an operating partner.
The team says it will announce additional details, including the official opening date for the restaurant and hotel, as well as menu specifics, in coming months.
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