Detroit — The Belle Isle Casino, a popular venue for weddings and other private events, has reopened after a years-long $7.3 million renovation of the historic building, which first opened in 1908.
The Renaissance Revival-style building has a restored roof, its outdoor porch is now compliant to American Disabilities Act standards, and it has a new elevator and air conditioning. Its chandeliers sparkled during an event Friday to mark the reopening after being closed since 2023. Renovations began in 2020, organizers said.
Despite the name casino, the building was never a gambling spot. According to HistoricDetroit.org, an earlier version of the building was one of the first structures built on Belle Isle after it became a park, first opening in June 1887.
The historic Belle Isle Casino, a popular venue for weddings and other private events, reopened Friday, March 13 2026 after at $7.3 million renovation that had closed the building since 2023.
The current casino, designed by Van Leyen & Schilling, debuted in May of 1908. The original building was demolished, according to HistoricDetroit.
The public has been able to apply to rent the facility since March 9, said Louise Hunt, the park manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the state agency that manages Belle Isle.
According to the DNR website, the casino can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests. The rental fee is a minimum of $1,900 for eight hours, plus a $500.00 refundable security deposit. Events must end no later than 9:00 pm, according to the online application form.
“We do have quite a few weddings in September,” that are already booked, Hunt said. “I think we have a few in August already that have reserved the site, but it’s filling up.”
The venue is available through the end of September as the DNR looks for a third-party vendor to help run the casino, Hunt said. That request for proposals for vendors is still ongoing, she said.
“Depending on how that comes back, we may or may not be open beyond September 30,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Belle Isle Casino in Detroit reopens after $7.3M rehab as venue space
