Gillie’s, a downtown sports bar, will open in 2024 in memory of Nick Gilbert, the late son of Rocket Mortgage founder and majority owner Dan Gilbert.
Some of Gilly’s original concepts and designs, installed in the Kay Baum Building at 1550 Woodward Avenue, which has been vacant since 2004, were created by Nick before his death in May at age 26 .
“To know Nick was to know a man with a true enthusiasm for life and celebrating with those around him,” Dan and Jennifer Gilbert said in a joint statement. “Gilly’s combines Nick’s love of food with his love of sports and entertainment in the heart of Detroit, the city he loved so much. I can’t wait to share some projects with you.”
The 14,000-square-foot restaurant will feature a food and beverage menu and more than 350 seats, including a lower-level bar, a ground floor with patio dining along Woodward Avenue, a mezzanine level, and an outdoor rooftop terrace. Bedrock is overseeing development and construction, which is currently underway.
ROCK (Gilbert Family Office) and Bedrock have partnered with 7OH2 Hospitality and founder Josh Lang as co-creators and operators of Gilly’s. 7OH2 also plans to announce his second new restaurant in early 2024, bringing what the group calls “a first-of-its-kind sensory-based dining and dining experience” to Detroit. doing. That restaurant will also be located in the K-Baum Building.
“Some of our most memorable moments in life are centered around food, drink, sports and entertainment,” said Josh Lang, founder of 7OH2 Hospitality. “I would like to pay tribute to Nick Gilbert and especially thank him for giving me the opportunity to create the best experience for the city of Detroit and everyone who visits here. That is what I am most excited about with these projects. That’s what I’m doing.”
Nick Gilbert had neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disease in which tumors grow on nerve pathways, affecting the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. There is no known cure.
The annual fundraiser known as the Cupid Andy Run is held in Detroit every February to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.