Modern Elegance Meets Local Legacy

The upscale Vanguard Hotel invites guests on a curated journey of exploration that celebrates worldly traditions, vibrant landscapes, and refined experiences.

The Vanguard Hotel, an Autograph Collection by Marriott, has officially opened its doors just steps from the University of Michigan, signaling a new era of premier hospitality in Ann Arbor. Developed and owned by Robert Finvarb Companies and Milford Singer & Company, The Vanguard Hotel was designed by DLR Group as interior designer and in collaboration with Neumann/Smith Architecture as architect, and Colasanti Construction as contractor.

Curated for discerning travelers seeking authenticity and elegance, the new nine-story, 188-key upscale hotel merges modern sophistication and global influences with a deep appreciation for the city’s vibrant culture, the university’s legacy, and spirit of intellectual exploration.

“The Vanguard Hotel invites guests on a thoughtfully curated journey inspired by James Burrill Angell, the university’s longest-serving president and a lifelong explorer.”

— Valentina Castellon, Principal and Hospitality Interior Design Leader at DLR Group.

Whether welcoming an invited guest of the campus, university alumni, global business travelers, or cultured explorers and foodies, the hotel offers uncommon hospitality for the uncommon guest, with a refined yet approachable luxury that cultivates conversation, creativity, and unscripted moments of connection.

Discovery Begins at Check-In

Upon entering the lobby, guests are welcomed by arched portals that guide movement and draw you into the space. The lobby channels the spirit of historic salons, with intimate seating arrangements woven into a curated collection of vintage books and commissioned artwork, creating a setting where curiosity and conversation thrive. At guest reception, the desk evokes the charm of vintage French travel trunks with studded trim and reinforced edges. This gesture complements the adjacent concierge space, which doubles as a library showcasing historic local books with illustrations and musings from the neighborhood’s history, extending a more personal, unhurried experience.

La Serre Experience

Just beyond an arched portal framed in black mosaic tiles, illuminated by soft glowing light, creates a portal that leads to La Serre, the signature French brasserie at the Vanguard. From its cobblestone entry to the sculptural brass-accented bar and  private dining spaces that are a destination on their own—a sunlit solarium that embodies lush greenery throughout and a moody wine cellar that creates drama with the architecture to make the guest feel as if they were inside the oak wine barrel itself—the restaurant exudes a timeless elegance rooted in nature and embodies the charm of a Parisian mainstay.  The design orchestrates the setting for a perfect dinner and wine pairing, making this a destination in itself.

Curated Convention

As guests ascend the sculptural staircase anchoring the ground floor lobby, a bespoke chandelier made of delicate gold metal and fluted, clear lenses suspend above a communal table, guiding the way to the pre-function and event spaces while sparking a sense of intrigue.

Reaching the top of the staircase on the second floor are four spacious meeting and event spaces, ideal for university gatherings, corporate retreats, and weddings. The pre-function and event spaces carry French influences, balancing masculine and feminine elements with a Provence landscape-inspired carpet, grand chandeliers, and strong architectural portals that create a sense of rhythm in this ethereal space. By day, the rooms feel open and inviting; by night, soft lighting enhances the serene and sophisticated atmosphere.

Retreat and Unwind

The Vanguard Hotel features several different guestroom styles varying in size to accommodate guest needs, from smaller guestrooms for single night stays to larger suites with expansive private terraces and Juliet balconies perfect for unwinding while taking in the surrounding cityscape. Each room subtly embraces the spirit of global travel through thoughtful details like modern writing desks with traditional pull-out drawers, minibars styled as vintage trunks with crocodile-leather-like textures and brass closures, and curated collages of artwork featuring letters, found imagery, and a portrait of James Burrill Angell.

Chevron wood grain on floors and closet doors subtly recalls the folds of envelopes, quiet carriers of memory and adventure—while a refined portal concept wraps the sleeping chamber in traditional trim to create a sense of enclosure and calm. An oculus window, spanning two stories in select suites, serves as a striking architectural focal point that fills the rooms with natural light and creates a sense of openness and connection to the city.

“The Vanguard Hotel is not just a luxury destination—it’s a tribute to the independent spirit and academic excellence that define Ann Arbor.”

— Jason Nelson, General Manager at The Vanguard

A Distinctive Presence Rooted in Place

Echoing the district’s architectural legacy of the historic Fourth Ward, the hotel’s façade is defined by rich materiality and layered detailing. Multiple tones of brick masonry, cast stone accents, and glass curtainwall introduce texture and rhythm. Stepped-back upper levels create a dynamic profile that supports large rooftop terraces and frame select guestroom balconies.

The oculus windows punctuate all sides of the building, framing unique views of the city and surrounding neighborhood. Their aluminum surrounds form a herringbone pattern shaped like a stylized tree—a motif carried throughout the project, including the paving at the porte cochere and other branded elements.

Two distinct entrances strengthen the hotel’s connection to the street: a welcoming porte cochere with access to four levels of underground parking, and La Serre, marked by a tall glass notch that softens the building’s edge and signals arrival.

“We drew inspiration from the neighborhood’s grand apartment buildings—many with Tudor Revival and Art Deco roots—and reinterpreted those influences through classically inspired details like decorative pilasters, brick corbels, herringbone brickwork, and round oculus windows.”

— Scott R. Bonney, Designer at Neumann/Smith Architecture.

In collaboration with Robert Finvarb Companies, Milford Singer & Company, DLR Group and the project team.