Landmark building adds restaurant

Barbat Holdings, a West Bloomfield-based real estate investment and management company, has announced the acquisition of the historic Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Detroit. Constructed in 1899 as a place for Civil War veterans to gather, the 30,000-square-foot, five-story GAR Building – one of Detroit’s most recognizable landmarks – is set to be brought back to its original use as a gathering space, with Barbat’s hospitality division, Prime Concepts Detroit, opening a new steakhouse restaurant and event space later this spring that will span the building’s five floors. “The community has consistently welcomed our residential developments and dining concepts over the years, and our goal with the GAR Building revitalization project is to continue attracting more people to live, work and dine in the city,” said Joe Barbat, chairman & CEO of Barbat Holdings. “The new steakhouse concept and event space has been in the works for more than three years,” added Stolion Liti, director of operations at Prime Concepts Detroit. “We look forward to sharing this concept with Detroit and the surrounding community.” Alec Kanno, general manager and operating partner, will lead the team at the GAR Building, along with executive chef Alex Farhat. Farhat also leads the talented culinary team at PAO Detroit. 1942 Grand River Avenue, Detroit barbatholdings.com