The Morning News Cafe, a new multimedia cafe/restaurant, has opened its doors in the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold St. in Detroit. It leased 15,000 square feet on the Congress St. level in the former Epicurean Cafe location.
The landmark Penobscot Building is a 47-story, 1 million-square-foot office complex that has been a staple of the Detroit skyline since 1928. Designed by Wirst C. Rowland to maximize sunlight, the property features three buildings: the original Penobscot Building which was constructed in 1905; the 23-story Penobscot Annex which was added in 1913, and the current Penobscot Building. The three buildings comprise the Penobscot Block, although they are often referred to collectively as the Penobscot Building. Until the completion of the Renaissance Center in 1977, the building was the tallest in Detroit.
In addition to serving as an office building, it is also a fiber-optic hub for the city and the home of "Smart Detroit," a one-stop "smart" business center and executive suite space on the 13th floor.
Morning News Cafe's name draws from the large selection it offers of magazines, newspapers, Internet connections and televisions. The cafe is operated by Southfield-based Frank's Creative Catering.
Rick Duistermars, Bunia Parker and Davy Godier of NAI Farbman Group represented the landlord, Credit Suisse Securities. The tenant was self-represented.